What is Signal Cleveland?
Launched in November 2022, Signal Cleveland is the inaugural newsroom in the Signal Ohio network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms. Signal Ohio is one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country, with newsrooms in Akron, Cleveland, the Statehouse and Cincinnati later this year, a staff of more than 30 and more than $15 million raised so far. Signal Ohio is backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community members and the American Journalism Project.
At Signal Cleveland, we fuse community building with local news reporting to produce trustworthy journalism across a range of topics, including government, economy, education, health, and safety and resilience. We’re also home to Cleveland Documenters, a group of about 700+ Greater Cleveland residents who represent almost every ZIP code in the county. They are trained and paid to cover public meetings.
Together, we are a primary source of information for residents who may not otherwise have access to trusted local journalism, and we’re available online, via email, and on social platforms. Our website has explainers and guides to help residents navigate life in Cleveland, and it serves as a growing civic tool for our city. We also hold community gatherings and trainings, and we’re present every day in Cleveland communities.
Why are we called “Signal”?
Our name is a nod to Garrett Morgan, the noted Cleveland inventor and businessman who came to Cleveland to make his name in 1895. Morgan made his fortune in Cleveland with a series of successful inventions, including the three-position traffic signal that later became the three-light traffic signal in use today. Morgan also started The Call newspaper in 1916, which later merged to become The Call and Post, an influential newspaper in Cleveland and eventually all of Ohio. So our name speaks to not just Cleveland history but to Ohio’s trailblazing journalistic history.
And, of course, a signal – similar to a lighthouse – can be a beacon, a trusted guide that lights the way. We aim to be just that, a trusted source of daily news and information for Greater Clevelanders.
Who are Cleveland Documenters?
Cleveland Documenters are a part of the Signal Cleveland newsroom. They are Greater Clevelanders who are trained and paid to document official meetings of the Cuyahoga County and City of Cleveland governments and contribute to a communal pool of public knowledge. More than 700 people have signed up to be Cleveland Documenters. There is at least one Documenter living in every ZIP code in Cleveland (except the Industrial Valley) and almost every ZIP code in Cuyahoga County.
What does the Signal Cleveland newsroom cover?
Signal Cleveland layers service and community reporting – based on the network of Documenters who regularly attend public meetings – with beat reporting in education, government, healthcare, criminal justice, economics and service journalism. We are focused on filling the big gaps in news coverage that too often overlook people and issues in Cleveland and the inner-ring suburbs.
What is Signal Cleveland’s editorial policy?
Signal Cleveland is a non-partisan newsroom whose mission is to provide information and resources to Clevelanders to help them make informed decisions and hold people in power accountable. Central to the mission is to listen to Greater Clevelanders impacted by policies and the people who make them.
Signal Cleveland storytelling takes many forms, from digital stories to newsletters and social media posts to text messages, videos and printed fliers. Our stories explore all sides of an issue and do not shy away from drawing conclusions backed by reporting and expertise.
How do I share a story idea or tip with Signal Cleveland?
Signal Cleveland is a newsroom that values input from the community. Your story tips and ideas help us inform readers and hold those in power accountable. Submit a tip here.
What is Signal Cleveland’s corrections policy?
Signal Cleveland is transparent about its reporting process, which includes alerting readers to errors and clarifications made to published stories. Also, our reporters and editors are accessible to discuss our reporting. Review our policy or submit a correction.
Who funds Signal Cleveland?
Signal Cleveland is the inaugural newsroom in the Signal Ohio network, one of the largest local nonprofit news startups in the country. Signal Ohio is backed by a coalition of Ohio organizations, community members and the American Journalism Project. Your support is incredibly important for our independence and sustainability. As a journalism organization, we believe in full transparency. You can find a list of our funding sources here.
Is my membership tax-deductible?
Yes! Signal Cleveland is a part of the Ohio Local Information Initiative, a 501(c)3 nonprofit doing business as Signal Ohio (EIN# 87-3337208), and, as such, donations to our organization are tax deductible to the extent permitted by law in your personal circumstances. To find out what that means for you, we recommend consulting with your tax advisor, accountant or the IRS. If you plan to claim this donation on your federal taxes, please keep your email donation receipt as your official record–we will send it to you upon successful completion of your donation.
What is the Ohio Local Information Initiative?
Before we got our name, Signal, we were known as the Ohio Local Information Initiative. This is because our newsroom was born out of an effort by a coalition of Ohio-based organizations, the American Journalism Project, and the John S. And James L. Knight Foundation, to understand local information needs and develop a solution to fill them. The group raised more than $6 million to launch a network of independent, community-led, nonprofit newsrooms for Ohio, starting right here in Cleveland!
Do you have a political agenda?
No. We are a nonpartisan organization, not affiliated with any political campaigns or political parties. We are working to improve and strengthen the local information that is shared with Greater Clevelanders.