Fellowship | IE Journalism Hub + Fund - Inland Empire - 6-12 months

Revenue Fellow

Employer: IE Journalism Hub + Fund

Duration: 6-Month Fellowship (Eligible for Extension to 12 Months)

Location: Inland Empire, CA (Applicants must be Inland Empire residents)

Compensation: Paid Fellowship

Locations:

Community Forward Redlands - Redlands

El Informador Dell Valle - Indio (bilingual required)

IECN - Rialto

Inland Valley News - San Bernardino

Please indicate your preferred location(s) in your cover letter.

Position Overview

The Revenue Fellow is a mission-driven sales and business development professional embedded within a local newsroom through the IE Journalism Hub + Fund Revenue Fellowship Program. The fellowship is designed to strengthen the financial sustainability of community-centered journalism in the Inland Empire.

The Fellow supports the development and execution of diversified revenue strategies including advertising, sponsorships, branded content, donor cultivation, underwriting, and partnership development. This fellowship combines hands-on revenue development with structured mentorship, cohort-based learning, and certification in media revenue strategy.

The Fellow will be placed at a newsroom throughout the Inland Empire. Site-specific duties may vary slightly.

About the IE Journalism Hub + Fund

The Inland Empire Journalism Innovation Hub + Fund works to build a sustainable, participatory, and community-centered journalism ecosystem across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The Revenue Fellowship helps address shrinking newsroom resources by preparing emerging revenue leaders with the tools and experience needed to sustain and grow local journalism.

The program focuses on:

• Revenue diversity and innovation
• Relationship-driven sales practices
• Community-centered outreach and engagement
• Data-informed growth strategies
• Collaboration across regional media partners

Core Responsibilities

Prospecting & Lead Development

• Research and identify prospective advertisers, sponsors, funders, donors, and community partners
• Build and maintain lead lists using professional networks, community events, and industry research
• Develop and manage a pipeline of prospective revenue opportunities

Outreach & Relationship Development

• Draft outreach communications tailored to different audiences
• Conduct outbound calls and appointment setting
• Attend at least one community or networking event each week to cultivate relationships
• Support donor cultivation and stewardship efforts

Proposal Development & Sales Support

• Assist in creating pitch decks, sponsorship packages, proposals, and one-sheets
• Align branded content and cause-based marketing opportunities with newsroom mission and community goals
• Track deliverables and help ensure alignment with client or sponsor agreements
• Support preparation of contracts, invoices, and internal sales documentation

Internal Collaboration

• Work with editorial, marketing, and leadership teams to align revenue strategy with newsroom priorities
• Participate in weekly check-ins and monthly cohort meetings
• Contribute ideas related to pricing models, revenue innovation, and diversified income streams

Fellowship Structure

Time Commitment

The fellowship begins with a 6-month commitment, with the opportunity to extend to 12 months following a mid-point review.

Fellows participate in structured training and professional development including:

• 210 hours per week of in-person training
• Approximately 10 hours per week of virtual training and cohort sessions

Consistent attendance and active participation are expected throughout the fellowship.

Training & Certification

Fellows receive structured training and mentorship designed to build practical revenue development skills. Participants must demonstrate competency in five core areas to earn certification:

• Branded content and cause-based marketing
• Prospecting and network development
• Appointment setting and outreach strategy
• Presentation and proposal alignment
• Strategic follow-up and relationship retention

Mentorship & Professional Development

Fellows receive ongoing guidance and support throughout the program, including:

• Weekly check-ins with revenue mentors
• Monthly cohort training sessions
• Biannual in-person program convenings
• Professional mentorship focused on strategic sales and leadership development

The fellowship emphasizes ethical revenue practices, resilience, and long-term career growth in media revenue leadership.

Qualifications

Preferred qualifications include:

• Current college student or recent graduate (within one year)
• Interest in journalism sustainability, nonprofit development, or mission-driven revenue strategy
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills
• Comfort with outreach and professional relationship building
• Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders

Experience in sales, fundraising, marketing, or community organizing is helpful but not required.

Compensation & Advancement

This is a paid fellowship position. Fellows who demonstrate strong engagement and performance may extend to a 12-month fellowship term following the six-month review and may be considered for continued opportunities within the host newsroom or regional journalism ecosystem.