Seattle Times launching Investigative Journalism Fund

TheSeattle Times is launching the Investigative Journalism Fund, a community-funded initiative with the Seattle Foundation to support investigative journalism, the paper reported.

“The Investigative Journalism Fund builds on the success of three community-funded initiatives covering education, transportation and homelessness — Education Lab, Project Homeless and Traffic Lab — but is the first to seek funding from readers.” A launch even on April 11 raised around $26,000, the paper said. Some 120 readers and Seattle Times staff were at the event.

“We are excited to invite you, the individual supporter, to build a stronger democracy by expanding journalism in Seattle even as newsrooms across America are shrinking,” said Sharon Pian Chan, The Times’ vice president of innovation, product and development. “We want you as partners in building a community-powered journalism model for the rest of the nation.”

More fundraising events are planned for 2019, the paper said. The Phase 1 target is to raise $500,000, according to the paper.

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