OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC
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Cite this
Plain text OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC. furp.org, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2023–2024. https://furp.org/org/ohio-local-information-initiative-inc-873337208. Retrieved 2026-11-05.
APA furp.org. (n.d.). OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2023–2024]. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://furp.org/org/ohio-local-information-initiative-inc-873337208
MLA “OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC.” furp.org, tax years 2023–2024, https://furp.org/org/ohio-local-information-initiative-inc-873337208. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-11-05; covers tax years 2023–2024. Data: furp.org, CC BY 4.0.
2024 · Form 990 · revenue $5.2M · expenses $4.7M · assets $4.0M
- Also known as
- SIGNAL OHIO
- EIN
- 87-3337208
- Address
- 500 S FRONT STREET, COLUMBUS, OH 43215-7619
- Website
- WWW.SIGNALOHIO.COM
- NTEE code
- A30 Media, Communications Organizations (Arts, Culture and Humanities) published (IRS Business Master File)
- Exempt type
- 501(c)(3): charitable, religious, educational, scientific or literary (corporation)
- Ruling date
- August 2022 (when the IRS recognized its exemption)
- IRS status
- Exempt (unconditional) (IRS Business Master File) IRS data ↗
- Tax-deductible donations
- Yes: listed in IRS Publication 78 (public charity) Pub 78 ↗
- Foundation status
- Public charity supported by the public (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))
- Principal officer
- RITA MCNEIL DANISH (its 2022 Form 990-N)
- Form 990-N e-postcards
- 1 filed, 2022 (organizations with gross receipts normally $50,000 or less file this instead of a full Form 990) IRS data ↗
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM TO PEOPLE IN OHIO.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
8 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lila Mills | EDITOR IN CHIEF | 2023-2024 | $157,582 | $313,535 | 1 |
| Mark Naymik | MANAGING EDITOR, NEWSROOM | 2023-2024 | $122,758 | $250,372 | 1 |
| Lawrence Caswell | EDITOR, DOCUMENTERS | 2023-2024 | $115,223 | $241,545 | 1 |
| Julie Mcneil Danish | CEO | 2024 | $230,640 | $230,640 | 1 |
| Michelle Everhart-Sullivan | CHIEF AUDIENCE OFFICER | 2024 | $141,649 | $141,649 | 1 |
| Susan Zake | EDITOR IN CHIEF | 2024 | $120,681 | $120,681 | 1 |
| Helen Maynard | COMMUNITY JOURNALISM DIRECTO | 2024 | $105,490 | $105,490 | 1 |
| Julia Mcneil Danish (former) | CEO | 2023 | $217,366 | $217,366 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
10 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doug Ulman | BOARD CHAIR | 2023-2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Michael Ouimette | TREASURER | 2023-2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Dale Anglin | MEMBER | 2023-2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Henry J Gomez | MEMBER | 2023-2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Delores Hargrove-Young | MEMBER | 2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Michael Curtain | MEMBER | 2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Larry James | MEMBER | 2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Tom Katenmeyer (former) | CHAIR | 2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Debra Adams (former) | GOVERNANCE CHAIR | 2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Timothy L Tramble (former) | BOARD MEMBER | 2023 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2024 · 14 people listed · 7 paid, $994K · 32 employees · 50 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIE MCNEIL DANISH | CEO | 40 | $220,396 | $0 | $10,244 | $230,640 | 1 |
| LILA MILLS | EDITOR IN CHIEF | 40 | $150,138 | $0 | $7,444 | $157,582 | 1 |
| MICHELLE EVERHART-SULLIVAN | CHIEF AUDIENCE OFFICER | 40 | $141,649 | $0 | $0 | $141,649 | 1 |
| MARK NAYMIK | MANAGING EDITOR, NEWSROOM | 40 | $122,758 | $0 | $0 | $122,758 | 1 |
| SUSAN ZAKE | EDITOR IN CHIEF | 40 | $120,681 | $0 | $0 | $120,681 | 1 |
| LAWRENCE CASWELL | EDITOR, DOCUMENTERS | 40 | $115,223 | $0 | $0 | $115,223 | 1 |
| HELEN MAYNARD | COMMUNITY JOURNALISM DIRECTO | 40 | $105,490 | $0 | $0 | $105,490 | 1 |
| DOUG ULMAN | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHAEL OUIMETTE | TREASURER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DALE ANGLIN | MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| HENRY J GOMEZ | MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DELORES HARGROVE-YOUNG | MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHAEL CURTAIN | MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| LARRY JAMES | MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 11 people listed · 4 paid, $627K · 34 employees · 50 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JULIA MCNEIL DANISH | CEO | 40 | $210,433 | $0 | $6,933 | $217,366 | 1 |
| LILA MILLS | EDITOR IN CHIEF | 40 | $150,090 | $0 | $5,863 | $155,953 | 1 |
| MARK NAYMIK | MANAGING EDITOR, NEWSROOM | 40 | $122,758 | $0 | $4,856 | $127,614 | 1 |
| LAWRENCE CASWELL | MANAGING EDITOR, DOCUMENTERS | 40 | $122,590 | $0 | $3,732 | $126,322 | 1 |
| TOM KATENMEYER | CHAIR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| HENRY J GOMEZ | VICE CHAIR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DEBRA ADAMS | GOVERNANCE CHAIR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| MICHAEL OUIMETTE | FINANCE CHAIR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DOUG ULMAN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DALE ANGLIN | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| TIMOTHY L TRAMBLE | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
2023 · 2 contractors · $224K
| Name | Location | Service | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARTER SCHOOL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT FOR | NEW YORK, NY | ACCOUNTING/FINANCE ADVISORY | $120,803 |
| STORYLOGIC MEDIA | CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH | EDITORIAL CONSULTING | $102,952 |
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $5,162,623 | $4,741,157 | $4,042,267 | $2,589,738 | $5,095,257 | $0 | $240,884 | 32 | 50 |
| 2023 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $5,899,131 | $3,730,859 | $3,899,916 | $2,168,272 | $5,887,179 | $0 | $217,366 | 34 | 50 |
Funders of this organization
20 grantors reported grants to this organization, $10,444,274 in all, tax years 2022 to 2025. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN JOURNALISM PROJECT INC | Public charity | Exact | 2022-2024 | 3 | $5,675,863 | 2024 | $1,454,936 | show |
| THE CLEVELAND FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $2,013,000 | 2024 | $1,085,250 | show |
| JOHN S AND JAMES L KNIGHT FOUNDATION INC | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC” | 2023-2024 | 2 | $1,450,000 | 2024 | $1,000,000 | show |
| LAURA AND JOHN ARNOLD FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC” | 2024 | 1 | $250,000 | 2024 | $250,000 | show |
| COLUMBUS FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $234,000 | 2024 | $217,000 | show |
| INTERACT FOR HEALTH | Public charity | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $230,000 | 2023 | $230,000 | show |
| AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $136,500 | 2024 | $85,500 | show |
| OPEN CAMPUS MEDIA INC | Public charity | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $111,905 | 2024 | $54,762 | show |
| THE MIAMI FOUNDATION INC | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2025 | 3 | $88,179 | 2025 | $39,160 | show |
| CRANE FAMILY FOUNDATION | Public charity | Exact | 2025 | 1 | $50,000 | 2025 | $50,000 | show |
| GREATER CINCINNATI FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $35,000 | 2023 | $35,000 | show |
| MT SINAI HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION | Public charity | Exact | 2024 | 1 | $30,000 | 2024 | $30,000 | show |
| GREATER AKRON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | Public charity | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $25,000 | 2023 | $25,000 | show |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF CLEVELAND | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2024 | 1 | $22,200 | 2024 | $22,200 | show |
| FIDELITY INVESTMENTS CHARITABLE GIFT FUND | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $21,977 | 2024 | $12,158 | show |
| INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS | Public charity | Exact | 2024 | 1 | $20,000 | 2024 | $20,000 | show |
| DONOR ADVISED CHARITABLE GIVING | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $18,700 | 2024 | $11,200 | show |
| TULSA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023 | 1 | $15,000 | 2023 | $15,000 | show |
| NORD FAMILY FOUNDATION | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “OHIO LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC” | 2023 | 1 | $10,000 | 2023 | $10,000 | show |
| AMERICAN PRESS INSTITUTE INC | Public charity | Exact | 2024 | 1 | $6,950 | 2024 | $6,950 | show |
Nearby + Similar BETA
Organizations like this one: what they do and who they are linked to
Same category: NTEE code and revenue
Ranked without any AI: same NTEE code first, then the same NTEE group; then revenue within 2x, 5x or 10x; then the same state; then similar name and mission text. Same state only · More (100)
| Organization | State | NTEE | Latest revenue | Latest expenses | Top-paid title | Top pay | Why similar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOUNDATION OF NORTHWEST OHIO | OH | A30 | $5,052,869 | $5,286,074 | PRESIDENT & CEO - 07/01/24-03/28/2025 | $223,612 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| HOUSTON LOCAL INFORMATION INITIATIVE INC | TX | A30 | $6,413,069 | $7,961,350 | CEO | $418,368 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x, similar name |
| CITYSIDE JOURNALISM INITIATIVE | CA | A30 | $6,023,660 | $4,911,909 | VP, CLIENT PARTNERSHIPS | $344,391 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| COMMUNITY COMMUNICATIONS INC | FL | A30 | $5,548,083 | $5,704,638 | PRESIDENT AND GM | $224,517 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| LINCOLN MEDIA FOUNDATION INC | CA | A30 | $3,881,696 | $2,865,301 | CEO/DIRECTOR | $243,353 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| CITY REPORT INC | NY | A30 | $4,490,787 | $5,432,071 | Executive Director | $323,134 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| VMTS EDUCATION INC | NY | A30 | $4,605,214 | $4,201,317 | PRESIDENT/CEO | $380,714 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| TINY NEWS COLLECTIVE INC | PA | A30 | $4,581,747 | $3,798,094 | Executive Director | $186,539 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| TYPE MEDIA CENTER INC | NY | A30 | $3,411,279 | $2,816,228 | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO | $285,014 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| PARTNERS FOR CHRISTIAN MEDIA INC | TN | A30 | $2,797,508 | $3,081,318 | DIRECTOR | $233,027 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| COMMITTEE OF 100 INC | NY | A30 | $2,825,404 | $3,323,363 | MAY 2025, THEN EXE. VICE PRESIDENT | $290,448 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| IMPROVE THE NEWS FOUNDATION | DE | A30 | $4,158,000 | $3,878,412 | PRESIDENT AND TREASURER | $457,840 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| FORWARD ASSOC INC | NY | A30 | $6,658,429 | $6,615,681 | CEO | $415,602 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| NATIONAL CENTER ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION INC | DC | A30 | $5,657,911 | $5,542,301 | GENERAL COUNSEL | $226,332 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| KOAHNIC BROADCAST CORPORATION | AK | A30 | $3,230,399 | $3,429,740 | PRESIDENT/CE | $169,382 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| INTERCEPT MEDIA INC | NY | A30 | $5,597,043 | $9,519,616 | CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | $333,271 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| HOUSTON CHRISTIAN BROADCASTERS INC | TX | A30 | $5,100,412 | $4,620,098 | PRESIDENT | $176,711 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| JEWISH EDUCATION IN MEDIA INC DBA JBS JEWISH BROADCASTING SERVIC | CT | A30 | $3,471,962 | $2,496,075 | CEO | $325,000 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| DAILY SIGNAL INSTITUTE | DC | A30 | $3,598,549 | $1,370,524 | DIRECTOR | $649,481 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA INC | AK | A30 | $8,217,608 | $8,705,704 | PRESIDENT/CEO | $224,607 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| PUBLIC BROADCASTING OF NORTHWEST PENNSYLVANIA INC | PA | A30 | $3,330,376 | $4,116,986 | PRESIDENT & | $110,000 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| 70 FACES MEDIA INC | NY | A30 | $8,464,515 | $7,886,701 | CEO, EXECUTIVE EDITOR | $359,963 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| UNIONDOCS INC | NY | A30 | $2,740,624 | $2,429,927 | EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR | $107,365 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| TRACE MEDIA INC | NY | A30 | $6,308,861 | $5,174,682 | EDITOR IN CHIEF | $280,095 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
| HONEST REPORTING COM INC | FL | A30 | $3,297,488 | $2,894,939 | President & CEO | $267,117 | Same NTEE code A30, revenue within 2x |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2024 · Form 990 · $4,741,157 spent · pay $3,375,049 · grants $0 · events $64,303
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $2,599,774 | $2,027,158 | $572,616 | - | 54.8% | |
| Other employee benefits | $323,111 | $251,237 | $71,874 | - | 6.8% | |
| Other (as described) | EDITORIAL SERVICES | $309,471 | $309,378 | $93 | - | 6.5% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $240,884 | $181,614 | $59,270 | - | 5.1% | |
| Payroll taxes | $211,280 | $164,282 | $46,998 | - | 4.5% | |
| Fees: other services | $179,821 | $26,890 | $152,931 | - | 3.8% | |
| Information technology | $175,830 | $77,343 | $98,487 | - | 3.7% | |
| Fees: accounting | $159,069 | $23,787 | $135,282 | - | 3.4% | |
| Occupancy | $113,878 | $99,303 | $14,575 | - | 2.4% | |
| Other (as described) | BAD DEBT | $100,000 | - | $100,000 | - | 2.1% |
| Travel | $70,217 | $18,594 | $51,623 | - | 1.5% | |
| Other (as described) Event | EVENTS | $64,303 | $58,220 | $6,083 | - | 1.4% |
| Other (as described) | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMEN | $52,276 | $4,402 | $47,874 | - | 1.1% |
| Office expenses | $50,072 | $36,713 | $13,359 | - | 1.1% | |
| Fees: legal | $27,691 | $4,141 | $23,550 | - | 0.6% | |
| Insurance | $26,575 | - | $26,575 | - | 0.6% | |
| All other expenses | $16,841 | $13,906 | $2,935 | - | 0.4% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $15,750 | - | $15,750 | - | 0.3% | |
| Depreciation and depletion | $4,314 | $4,314 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $4,741,157 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990 · $3,730,859 spent · pay $2,241,270 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $1,707,483 | $1,392,939 | $280,255 | $34,289 | 45.8% | |
| Fees: other services | $460,587 | $122,011 | $293,276 | $45,300 | 12.3% | |
| Other (as described) | EDITORIAL SERVICES | $360,718 | $360,718 | - | - | 9.7% |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $217,366 | $21,736 | $65,210 | $130,420 | 5.8% | |
| Fees: accounting | $188,002 | $45,523 | $142,479 | - | 5.0% | |
| Other employee benefits | $164,986 | $134,593 | $30,393 | - | 4.4% | |
| Payroll taxes | $149,417 | $121,892 | $27,525 | - | 4.0% | |
| Information technology | $134,127 | $103,081 | $31,046 | - | 3.6% | |
| Occupancy | $113,336 | $105,663 | $7,673 | - | 3.0% | |
| Travel | $60,622 | $20,168 | $40,454 | - | 1.6% | |
| Advertising and promotion | $54,683 | $52,908 | $1,775 | - | 1.5% | |
| Office expenses | $38,888 | $34,855 | $4,033 | - | 1.0% | |
| Insurance | $26,692 | $4,758 | $21,934 | - | 0.7% | |
| Fees: legal | $26,657 | $6,455 | $20,202 | - | 0.7% | |
| Other (as described) | STAFF TRAINING | $14,307 | $11,671 | $2,636 | - | 0.4% |
| Other (as described) | DONATION PROCESSING FEE | $5,276 | $940 | $4,336 | - | 0.1% |
| Other (as described) | DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS | $3,438 | $613 | $2,825 | - | 0.1% |
| Depreciation and depletion | $2,112 | $1,969 | $143 | - | 0.1% | |
| Pension plan contributions | $2,018 | $1,646 | $372 | - | 0.1% | |
| All other expenses | $144 | $26 | $118 | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $3,730,859 | 100% |
Trademarks
2 US trademarks, 2 live.
- Ohio Local Information Initiative, Inc. 2 marks, OH EXACT high confidence: identical full name and state
| Mark | Serial | Filed | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIGNAL CLEVELAND | 97779078 | 2023-02-03 | Pending application | TRTDXFAP, file of 2026-09-16 |
| SIGNAL CLEVELAND | 97779075 | 2023-02-03 | Pending application | TRTDXFAP, file of 2026-09-09 |
The newest marks of the trademark owners above, matched to this record by name (and state).
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