A Pivot Fund case study: Making NOISE in North Omaha

The board members of NOISE – a hyperlocal, nonprofit, Black-led news site whose name is the acronym for North Omaha Information Support Everyone – knew they had an opportunity and a problem. 

The opportunity – public investment in North Omaha was set to rise, and the need for accountability reporting was higher than ever. NOISE had drawn strong community engagement from its launch in 2018. 

The problem – NOISE had ceased operations in 2022, grappling with financial and management issues. The question was whether to revive NOISE or make a fresh start. In this crucial decision-making process, the board turned to The Pivot Fund, recognizing their expertise and guidance.

The Pivot Fund is both a research organization and a funder of hyperlocal news. Using our methodology, we assessed the market for news and information in North Omaha, the strengths and weaknesses of the first iteration of NOISE, and assessed several strategic scenarios. 

The research pointed to a clear recommendation: Relaunch NOISE using a phased approach over two years, starting with the foundation – leadership and governance, including board development and financial planning – and deep community engagement. With that in place, the team will be ready to move on to audience engagement and product development.

The conclusions hold lessons for most all hyperlocal sites. Look first at community needs. North Omaha is a vibrant community with many young people of color, and few sources of news and information. With the area set to grow with significant public investment, it’s an opportunity for community journalists and their funders to hold power to account and give North Omaha’s mostly Black residents the information they need to engage in local governance. 

The second driver was NOISE‘s track record during its four-year run, when it clearly resonated with its audience. Third, the recommendation was based on best practices for governance and operations: a board that provides both guidance and accountability, management that prioritizes revenue and editorial success, and a culture that embraces innovation and collaboration.

In fairness, a startup doesn’t always have the clout to assemble the board it needs right out of the gate. But with NOISE’s track record and the new board’s vision, the future for North Omaha is bright.