Media Impact Measurement 101

This course is designed for newsrooms who are:

Ready to move from anecdotal impact stories to systematic measurement. You know your work matters, but you need structured ways to demonstrate and communicate that impact.

Seeking organizational buy-in for impact work. You need shared language and frameworks that resonate across editorial, audience, and development teams.

Looking to restart stalled impact initiatives with fresh momentum. You've tried impact measurement before, but need expert guidance to make it sustainable.

Committed to embedding impact thinking across your organization. You can send up to three team members to ensure multiple perspectives shape your approach.

By the end of this six-week cohort, your team will have:

A Custom Impact Framework: Walk away with a complete framework defining your organization's outcomes, goals, data points, and measurement frequency—tailored to your mission and capacity.

Ready-to-Use Tools: Receive field-tested resources including a 20-question audience survey bank and the IA Impact Tracker with how-to guide so you can implement immediately.

Practical Skills in Impact Measurement: Build capabilities in qualitative impact tracking, data collection workflows, and evidence-based decision-making that strengthen both your journalism and organizational strategy.

Peer Learning from Mission-Aligned Newsrooms: Exchange challenges and solutions with a small cohort of organizations navigating similar questions, fostering connections that extend beyond the program.

Duration: Six weeks, starting first week of February 2026

Format: Virtual cohort sessions + individual support via Zoom

Weekly Structure:

• Courses will take place Tuesdays between 12 - 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

• Group sessions exploring specific methods and approaches to impact measurement 

• Participants will complete structured exercises between sessions (30 to 60 minutes per week)

• Two personalized one-on-one consultations with IA

Team Participation: Up to 3 staff members per organization
We encourage including editorial, audience, and fundraising/revenue perspectives

Cohort Size: Limited to 5 newsrooms maximum
Small cohorts ensure meaningful peer exchange and personalized attention

Investment: $2,500 per organization

Applications open early December 2025 and close January 7, 2026. We'll select 3-5 newsrooms for our inaugural cohort based on organizational readiness, team commitment, and capacity to implement impact practices.

Application Requirements:

• Basic organizational information

• Brief description of your current impact measurement practices (if any)

• What you hope to gain from the program

• Confirmation of team member participation

Timeline:

• Early December 2025: Applications open

• January 7, 2026: Applications close

• Mid-January 2026: Selected cohort notified

• February 3, 2026: Program begins

How much time will it take each week?

Expect a 90-minute virtual session plus 30-60 minutes of team work or exercises to refine your framework or tracker between meetings.

What if we can't attend all six sessions?
Consistent participation is essential for cohort learning. We'll provide recordings, but real-time engagement ensures you get the most value.

Can we bring more than three team members?
To maintain productive cohort dynamics, we limit participation to three per organization. You're welcome to share materials internally.

What if our organization is very small/large?
This program is designed for newsrooms of all sizes. The frameworks scale to your capacity and context.

Is this program right for us if we already have some impact measurement in place?
Yes! Participants will be able to use Blueprints to systematize existing practices, gain fresh perspective, or restart momentum.