As you know, hard-hitting reporting takes time and nerve – and, of course, citizen support. Every day, our reporters go up against powerful financial, political and bureaucratic forces. They uncover secrets that would otherwise be left untold, exposing injustices so our lives can be better.

But impact, change and progress are achieved only when citizens take action.

So in that vein, we’re excited to launch The Center for Investigative Reporting’s new Start Something page, the place to get involved with us, take action on the stories you care about and become a member of CIR – all of which helps us get the next big project started so we can continue to make an impact on the world.

You also can find out about cool new member benefits and engagement opportunities such as Dialed In, our member conference calls with reporters for behind-the-scenes updates on major investigations; CIR Live!, our year-round special events; and a special J Membership for journalism school students.

But we’re not done – we have a lot more planned for the coming months:

  • Kickstarter campaigns for investigative video projects
  • Tours of our brand-new newsroom (coming soon!)
  • Breakfast clubs (but without the teenage angst)

And there will be more to come. As CIR’s Robert J. Rosenthal, Mark Katches and Meghann Farnsworth have written, we’re excited about this opportunity to bring together our audiences so that CIR can produce the best reporting to help improve our world.

Thank you for your support!

If you have questions about membership or how to get involved, check out this FAQ or feel free to email me at rsaar@cironline.org.

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Rebecca Saar's background is in marketing, market research and organization development, both in the governmental and nonprofit sectors. She did a year of service in AmeriCorps VISTA in Marin County, focusing on capacity-building and program development. She has a degree in international studies-political science from UC San Diego, where she founded and led the Model United Nations. She also interned for governmental agencies, including the office of U.S Rep. Susan Davis of California and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service at the American Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany.