Donors, transparency, & editorial independence

Our Supporters

Thank you to all of our generous donors who amplify Oakland Voices. 

Oakland Voices is a program of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education.

Since 2010, the California Endowment has funded Oakland Voices as part of its efforts of narrative change, building healthy communities, and developing a strong, racially equitable and just power-building ecosystem.

Oakland Voices is funded by Press Forward, the nationwide movement to strengthen
communities by reinvigorating local news. Learn more at pressforward.news.

$100,000+

  • Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
  • Press Forward
  • The California Endowment

$50,000 – $100,000

$25,000-$50,000

  • Langeloth Foundation

$10,000 – $25,000

  • Community Anti-Displacement and Stabilization Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation
  • East Bay Fund for Artists 2 at the East Bay Community Foundation
  • African American Response Circle
  • Google News Initiative, News Equity Fund
  • News Leaders Association, U.S. Press Freedom Grant

$5,000 – $10,000

<$5,000

  • Alameda County Arts Commission, ARTSFund

Donate

Donate to the Maynard Institute to support Oakland Voices. 

Editorial independence Policy

Oakland Voices subscribe to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN). 

Oakland Voices retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. We maintain a firewall between news coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. We do not operate as an propaganda outlet for any donor, funder, or community organizations. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.

Additionally, most of our correspondents live, work, play, and pray in Oakland. As such, many are part of different communities of identity, interest, and geography (neighborhoods). To prevent any perceived conflict of interest, we disclose any relevant connections, as necessary. 

We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of Oakland Voices’ activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

Oakland Voices may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

Oakland Voices will make public all donors who give a total of $5,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards.

Donor transparency and gift acceptance policy

We are committed to transparency in every aspect of Oakland Voices funding. 

Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions.

Oakland Voices accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects. As a program of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a public trust, we do not pay certain taxes. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses.

Our news judgments are made independently – not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content.

We make public all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year. As a news nonprofit, we avoid accepting charitable donations from anonymous sources, certain government entities, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office. We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.

Tax Returns and Annual Financials

Established in 2010, Oakland Voices is a program of the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, a California 501(c)3 nonprofit journalism support organization. Our EIN is 94-2427279. 

Our most recent IRS Form 990 and audited financial statements are publicly available.

Report on Audited Financial Statements

For more information about Oakland Voices, the Maynard Institute, our board, or our programs, visit our About page.

Last updated: January 7, 2026.