Building a new model for investigative reporting

In the summer of 2009, the independent, nonpartisan Center for Investigative Reporting launched a new reporting initiative called California Watch, the largest group of journalists dedicated to investigative reporting in the state.

The team at California Watch pursues in-depth, high-impact reporting on issues such as education, public safety, health care and the environment. Our reporters also produce stories that hold those in power accountable, while tracking government waste and the misspending of taxpayer resources.

We place a major emphasis on solution-oriented reporting intended to have an impact on the quality of life for Californians and our communities. We engage the public by providing tools and resources.

We distribute our stories as widely as possible through collaborative relationships with local and regional news organizations and through social media. California Watch has established working relationships with California news organizations of all kinds — newspapers, online publications, television, radio, ethnic media and other new forms of media — to help localize and distribute our reporting. In 2010, we launched the California Watch Media Network, which includes some of the largest newspapers and TV stations in the state.

We have a unique relationship with KQED Public Radio, which shares the costs of a reporter working for both news organizations. We also publish unique, original content on our website that isn't available anywhere else. Many of our stories are translated into other languages — including Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese.

California Watch is supported by major grants from the James Irvine Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The California Endowment, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Wyncote Foundation. We have offices in the Bay Area, Sacramento and Southern California.

Founded in 1977, the Center for Investigative Reporting is the nation's oldest nonprofit investigative news organization.

Awards and recognition

• 2012 finalist, Pulitzer Prize, "Local Reporting"
• 2011 winner, George Polk Award, "Medical Reporting"
• 2011 winner, Scripps Howard Award, "Roy W. Howard Award for Public Service"
• 2011 winner, Investigative Reporters and Editors, "IRE Medal"
• 2011 winner, National Headliner Award, "Best Online-Only Website"
• 2010 winner, Online News Association, "General Excellence"
• 2010 winner, Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, "Journalists of the Year"
• 2010 winner, Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, "Investigative Reporting"

Tax document

Download the Center for Investigative Reporting's 2010 IRS form 990

CIR board members

Judy Alexander (Vice Chair), Law Office of Judy Alexander
David Boardman, The Seattle Times
Phil Bronstein (Executive Chair), Center for Investigative Reporting
Stephen Davis, Banneker Partners
Sandra Hernandez, San Francisco Foundation
Susan Hirsch, Susan Hirsch and Associates
Kirsten Jensen, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
Tom Lockard, Stone & Youngberg
Jon Logan (Vice Chair), Reva and David Logan Foundation
Justin Nyweide, HMI Capital
Susan F. Sachs (Secretary), Common Sense Media
Christian Selchau-Hansen, Zynga
Gabriel Stricker, Twitter
Jeff Ubben (Vice Chair), ValueAct
Howard Zack, Private Investor