Reilly Emerging Media
Strategic Partner to Mission-Driven Organizations Building Growth and Impact
Media and Journalism Development, Local News, Youth Media
Consulting Services
Strategy
Whether navigating a start up, growth, turn around, or transformation, a strategic plan that aligns mission with capacity creates a pathway to sustainability. A diversified revenue plan, audience development and engagement strategies, organizational planning, product and program design, give your organization a stronger base to serve from. In the quickly changing media ecosystem, this work is critical.
By combining strategic thinking with practical implementation, we ensure your vision translates into actionable, measurable steps that advance your goals, align stakeholders, and strengthens your mission.
Development
Strong philanthropic partnerships can transform organizations and communities. Beginning with a deep understanding of your mission, I create a compelling case, research aligned opportunities, make connections, develop proposals, and work with the team to manage the process through impact measurement.
Organizations—especially those building from the ground up—need systems, know-how, and confidence to grow their funding independently. My approach builds that capacity, with authentic narratives, fundraising and marketing templates, pipelines, and program frameworks, that help make raising revenue and resources into an ongoing strength for your team.
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Communications
Powerful storytelling drives understanding, connection, and change. Impactful organizations rely on authentic narratives that inform, inspire, and move audiences to action. From strategic messaging frameworks to grant proposals, annual reports to program content, I craft narratives based on an understanding of your mission, through the lens of organizational values, that resonate with audiences, stakeholders, funding partners and impacted communities.
Whether you need to articulate your program, clarify your value proposition, amplify the voices of those in your community, I create communications that honor your mission while advancing your goals.
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Business Model Review
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Product and Program Design
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Content Strategy
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Diversified Revenue Planning
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Operational Templates
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Organizational Structure
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Leadership Coaching
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Development Program Audit
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Philanthropy Partner Research
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Grant Proposal Writing
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Membership and Subscription Programs
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Fundraising and Marketing Plans
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Systems and Training
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Audience Growth Strategy
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Messaging Audit
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Positioning
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Marketing Assets
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Impact Reports
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Narrative Change
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Interviews and Articles
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Digital and Newsletter Content
What Clients Say:
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
We worked with Fran to identify fundraising opportunities in the United States. She delivered that work with care and clarity, but her contribution went far beyond research. She helped us sharpen our messaging, improve our marketing materials, and prepare for key donor conversations. Her understanding of the US philanthropic landscape for media and public interest journalism is exceptional, and her insights were consistently practical and well-judged.
Fran is collaborative and thoughtful. She listens, asks the right questions, and slots into the team in a very natural way. Our fundraising function is stronger and more confident because of our work with her. We would recommend her without hesitation.
Leah Tronel, Director of Development
London, UK
LJMN Media
Fran has been an immense help in organizing and professionalizing our foundation outreach. Her talents are multifaceted, ranging from strategic advice, to matching specific grant opportunities to our initiatives, to rolling up her sleeves and helping us write proposals that secured new partner funding. She is a delight to work with and truly cares about our local news mission. We highly recommend Fran.
Tom Carley, COO
LJMN Media, CT. and NY
City Limits News
Fran brought significant value to City Limits News. She helped us increase revenue, grow our newsroom and better serve our community. Fran opened important funding partnerships that were instrumental in launching a Public Housing reporting beat, a Spanish language reporting initiative, and of course, CLARIFY, our youth training program for high school students she built, giving NYC youth the opportunity to develop self confidence, critical thinking, and writing skills that will serve them for life. Fran is an innovative, thoughtful partner who I highly recommend
Marjorie Martay, Former Executive Director
City Limits News, NYC
Select Clients & Collaborators
Nonprofit News & Journalism
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The Bureau of Investigative Journalism
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City Limits News
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CLARIFY News
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The Highlands Current
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The Lakeville Journal
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Millerton News
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NewsBound
Nonprofit Organizations
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Etruscan Press
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CASA-NYC
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World Science Festival
Publications & Media
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Mother Jones Magazine
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The Atlantic
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MAKE:
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Martha Stewart Living Magazine
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Parenting Magazine
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Parent & Child Magazine
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Vibe Magazine
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Prevention Magazine
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Organic Style Magazine
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New York Times Upfront Magazine
About
Fran Reilly is Principal and Senior Consultant of Reilly Emerging Media. She holds a deep understanding of the challenges, priorities, and opportunities mission-driven leaders face—bringing expertise in the business of journalism and publishing, nonprofit strategy, philanthropic partnerships, narrative change and youth media.
A trusted, entrepreneurial advisor, earlier in her career Fran was a business development executive on multiple national media startups at Time Inc. Ventures. She directed the launch of The New York Times Upfront Magazine at Scholastic, and has been an adviser to dozens of media and social impact entrepreneurs, Fran began her career at The Atlantic Monthly and later became Associate Publisher of Mother Jones Magazine. She served as Executive Director and Publisher of nonprofit City Limits News. While there, she built a youth training and reporting internship program giving high school students from underserved communities opportunities to develop writing, critical thinking, and workforce skills through the lens of public service journalism. Fran holds a Masters in Nonfiction Writing and an MFA in Creative Writing. She is based in the NYC metro area.
"Change happens when we illuminate both the individual story and the systemic forces at work—when we reveal not just what's broken, but who's affected and why it matters. A thriving independent press isn't just important to a democratic society, it's essential. Without it, inequity remains invisible and voices go unheard. I want my work to ensure stories that can drive positive change break through, inspire understanding, and catalyze action."
FranReilly
Let's explore working together. Schedule a 30 minute complimentary consultation.
I welcome the opportunity to learn more about how I can support you and your organization.