Non-Profit Newspaper Model

Small newspaper puts profits into training reporters.

The Ayers family created a not-for-profit foundation. Over time, the holdings of the Ayers family in the publishing company will be turned over to that trust. The company's earnings will be used to run the paper, and its dividends will help pay the cost of teaching the students. The Knight Foundation has contributed $1.5 million to the project.

[snip]

Ultimately, it will be a dozen students reporting -- and learning -- in the newsroom. They won't have to pay tuition, and they'll receive modest monthly stipends, plus a bonus to subsidize a job hunt.

This appears to follow much the same business model as the Cardinal: a non-profit structure where any financial gain is reinvested in the newsroom. It's a brilliant idea and something for the Madison community to consider.