More (quick) thoughts on bloggers and donors

by: Mike Lux

Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 15:30

I know a lot of my posts tend to be on the long side, so I promise to keep this short, but I have a few random thoughts based on the responses I've been getting (personally and on OpenLeft.com) to my first post on this topic:

1. I really do feel like I sounded too dismissive in my first post of NPC, and that wasn't my intent. I think what they are trying to do with the PROI idea is intriguing and has potential for changing the culture of giving patterns, and I failed to convey that. The challenge for them is that, in the spirit of their founders and their home in Silicon Valley, they have a true venture capitalist model, and the results of their efforts will take a while to prove themselves, so it is too early to judge what they will accomplish. They are trying to do something that is difficult- make the culture of giving in progressive politics more sane- and they deserve credit for that effort.

2. It's been pointed out to me that we should give credit where credit is due, and thank the donors who already have supported the blogosphere in different ways. I don't know them all, but here's some to note:

-Rob McKay mentioned in his post that he has done so.

-I've been reminded by multiple people, including some of the recipients of their generosity, that Andy and Deborah Rappaport, in addition to founding NPC, have given substantial grants to great netroots-y groups such as ActBlue and NOI.

-Rob Johnson and Gail Furman have both been stalwart friends of the blogosphere.

-The Arca Foundation (which I'm on the board of) has given two sizable grants to groups helping bloggers.

There are others as well, including a fair number I don't know about, who have helped out in different ways. Thanks to all who have done their part.

3. I've been told that my post was fine regarding the big picture, but lacked a real world "next steps" section, especially for frontline bloggers writing away on issues with no access to sources of money. Good point, and I think all of us need to spend some time working through the realities of all this.

Let's keep the conversation rolling...

Mike Lux :: More (quick) thoughts on bloggers and donors

Tags: donor, funding the blogosphere, Democracy Alliance, New Progressive Coalition, Rob McKay, Andy Rappaport, Deborah Rappaport, Arca Foundation, Actblue, NOI, Money, (All Tags)

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More (quick) thoughts on bloggers and donors | 5 comments

Nonprofit to Fund Bloggers and Blogs (0.00 / 0)

Mike,

Are there any progressive organizations that fund bloggers or blogs on a regular basis? I understand donor reluctance when asked to donate to some "blogger" named Chris Bowers in Philly. Would progressive donors be more inclined to support bloggers if instead of donating to individuals directly, they supported a nonprofit, featuring a board that includes familiar faces in the donor community, whose mission is to fund the netroots? The nonprofit's executives and board could create a fair system for setting eligibility and selection criteria, and then advertise their services to the netroots. Bloggers like Chris Bowers and other dedicated individuals who do great work for the movement could then apply for a salary, health care, even dental, a portable retirement account, and other benefits. I'd like to see long term commitments, rather than short term writing fellowships, but if the fellowships go well perhaps donors would recognize the importance of the netroots and fund its leaders for the long term. I think that creating viable career paths within the netroots is necessary for the long term health of the progressive movement.

Your thoughts?

Brian

by: bt @ Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 20:21:45 PM UTC

Groups (0.00 / 0)

The Center for Independent Media and the New organizing Institute, which I mentioned in my first post on this topic, are two groups (both very new) that provide resources to bloggers as part of their core mission, but bloggers are such a new phenomena compared to most of these groups that have been around for decades, that mostly the answer is no. I think the idea you talk about is very much worth exploring, though.

by: Mike Lux @ Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 20:46:35 PM UTC

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Advice (0.00 / 0)

Mike,

Do you have any advice for how I, or someone else, might 'explore' this idea further?

The Center for Independent Media and NOI show great promise in their respective fields of work, but as you suggest, neither focuses on the long term sustainability of the netroots.

Brian

by: bt @ Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 21:07:20 PM UTC

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no netroots (0.00 / 0)

There is no netroots. Figure out what you want to get done in politics instead of pretending that there is a phantom organization titled blogosphere that owes anyone anything.

by: Matt Stoller @ Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 21:49:37 PM UTC

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RE: no netroots (0.00 / 0)

I use the "netroots" as a term to denote the disparate efforts of progressive bloggers, online organizers, and others working for progressive change that work within new media. I know that there is no 'blogosphere' or 'netroots' organization, and I do not hope to create one. The point is to create a support organization that provides deserving individuals working for progressive change the means to continue doing so, including benefits like healthcare.

I want an organization that provides Chris with adequate health insurance, so that his participation in the progressive movement doesn't risk his health.

Whether or not progressive donors 'owe' anyone anything isn't really the issue, effective giving is. Which is money better spent for a movement-minded donor, a $50,000 donation to NARAL, which would fund a low to mid level staffer, or the same donation to an influential blogger? I know that most progressive donors don't see themselves as part of any movement, but some do, and for those donors, they may find that donating to an organization that supports and facilitates the growth of the progressive netroots better serves their interests than a donation to an organization like NARAL.

by: bt @ Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 22:13:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]