These are the main criteria:
Is there an important need? (Are there under-covered topics, communities or geographic areas?)
What is the beat you’ll create to deploy RFA corps members to help fill your news gap?
Can you provide the local match? (see below)
Do you provide good editing and mentoring?
Other factors include having the following:
- A way to distribute the content for maximum impact
- A good plan for assessing success
- A commitment to trust-building behaviors (transparency of process, transparency of article types)