The article outlines the origins and impact of ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization founded with the intent to revive a declining industry. Marion and Herbert Sandler's initial philanthropic investment of $10 million a year laid the groundwork for a web-based newsroom that ensured stories were easily accessible to a broader audience. Founding editor Paul Steiger's approach revolutionized the shareability of investigative stories, significantly influencing journalism by allowing other news organizations to republish ProPublica's in-depth reports, enhancing visibility and accountability in news coverage.
They were interested in donating $10 million a year to support investigative reporting, and they were talking to everyone they knew in journalism ... to get advice on what to do.
Steiger's ideas were a significant departure from existing models. At the time, the most prominent investigative nonprofits... either worked through freelancers or produced reports that other outlets would cover.
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