Cityside Journalism Initiative
Cityside Journalism Initiative (Cityside) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization committed to building community through local journalism. Cityside provides readers with fact-driven, nonpartisan, informative reporting that seeks to reflect the diversity and complexity of the communities it serves. Cityside operates three newsrooms, Berkeleyside, The Oaklandside and Richmondside, to provide local journalism in these cities.
Cityside Journalism Initiative at a glance
- Total assets
- $1,494,916
- +28.3% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $5,301,562
- +39.3% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $5,139,838
- +21.6% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Cityside Journalism Initiative funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 1 grant totaling $9K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Independent Arts & Media San Francisco, CA | See Part IV | $8,740 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,494,916 | $5,301,562 | $5,139,838 | — | — |
| 2023 | $1,165,414 | $3,805,599 | $4,227,726 | — | — |
| 2022 | $1,509,786 | $4,223,869 | $4,197,461 | — | — |
| 2021 | $1,452,372 | $3,671,033 | $3,718,600 | — | — |
| 2020 | $1,576,309 | $2,624,923 | $1,929,992 | $8,740 | 1 |
About Cityside Journalism Initiative
Based on IRS filings
Cityside Journalism Initiative is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Oakland, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $1.5M in total assets.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Cityside Journalism Initiative is led by Lance Knobel, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; 10 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lance Knobel
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$75K (2020) → $156K (2024)
Emily Ramshaw
Audit Co Chair
Director → Audit Co. Chair, 2022
Audit Co. Chair → Audit Co Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Olson
Board Chair
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jacob Simas
Director Com Journalism
Managing Editor → Director Com Journalism, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$104K (2021) → $111K (2024)
Becki Couch-Alvarado
Director of Events
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$108K (2024)
Erica Kesel
Senior Director of Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$171K (2024)
Francisco Nieto
Director Product & Plat
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$109K (2024)
Sarah Lee
Director of People
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$107K (2024)
Candice Fortman
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Evelyn Nussenbaum
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Martin Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Armstrong
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Stutzman
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stacey Zolt Hara
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tracey Taylor
Secretary & Chief Co
Treasurer & Executive Director Director → Secretary & Executive Director Director, 2023
Secretary & Executive Director Director → Secretary & Chief Co, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$71K (2020) → $136K (2024)
Colleen Leary
Vice President & Client Partnerships
Vice President & Client Ptps → Vice President & Client Partnerships, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$142K (2021) → $198K (2024)
Pamela Lewis Turntine
Editor in Chief
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$133K (2022) → $131K (2024)
Tanzeem Paghdiwala
Treasurer & Eic
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$150K (2022) → $154K (2024)
Former officers (6)
- Former: Frances Dinkelspiel (2020–2022) — Former Executive Editor
- Former: Michael Zivyak (2021–2022) — Former Cro
- Former: Andrew Fremder (2020–2021) — Audit Cmt Chair
- Former: Jill M. Kunishma (2021) — Vice President & Development
- Former: Tasneem Raja (2021) — Editor-In-Chief
- Former: Joaquin Alvarado (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $198K, to Colleen Leary (VP, Client Partnerships). 10 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Cityside Journalism Initiative
How large is Cityside Journalism Initiative?
Cityside Journalism Initiative reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.3M.
What is Cityside Journalism Initiative?
Cityside Journalism Initiative is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Oakland, CA. It holds $1.5M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Cityside Journalism Initiative operate?
Cityside Journalism Initiative has awarded grants in California.
What is Cityside Journalism Initiative's EIN?
Cityside Journalism Initiative's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3448887. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cityside Journalism Initiative down — hundreds of funders to go?