For 16 years the Community Media Workshop has focused on capacity building and management support for non-profit communicators, channeled information about social change and social issues to journalists, and participated in the dialogue on how to produce 'news that matters.'

Making Media Connections, a conference we have produced in Chicago for more than 10 years, is a successful model of how to connect non-profit communicators and journalists that features:

• Training: the conference increases non-profit communicators' skills and understanding of the news process, allowing them to better access the media in ways that are effective;

• Sourcing: the conference provides journalists with leads and sources among a group that tends to receive 'spot' coverage rather than more focused and influential treatment, and

• Relationship-building: the conference builds relationships between non-profit and news outlet personnel.

Beyond more and better coverage of nonprofits, their constituents, and their issues, the outcome of our conferences has been understanding and consensus on where nonprofits fit in the news cycle. (less info)