named programs · 2 · from sources
What they call their work
Community Storytelling
Features in-depth narratives about individuals and groups shaping Syracuse and surrounding areas, emphasizing civic memory, social justice, and local identity.
Culture Coverage
Reports on local arts, history, and cultural events in Central New York, including profiles of artists, community traditions, and historic preservation efforts.
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Nonprofit Investigative & Community Journalism 4 activities
- Independent local news reportingProduces and publishes ad-free, independent news content focused exclusively on Central New York through its website, newsletters, and social media, reaching approximately 25,000 unique readers monthly. Reporting includes articles, photographs, and audio, with a mission to inform the community and hold public institutions accountable.
- Investigative journalism and public accountabilityConducts investigative reporting that has led to measurable public sector changes, such as prompting the Syracuse Police Department to adopt new vehicle tracking technology and revise disciplinary policies. The organization has received 25 Syracuse Press Club awards, including first prize for investigative journalism in 2025.
- Local journalism employment and trainingEmploys journalists, interns, and freelancers in its newsroom, contributing to local journalism capacity and workforce development in Central New York.
- Special project reportingProduces limited-series reporting projects on significant local issues, including political shifts and election impacts in Central New York, to deepen community understanding of civic developments.
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Transportation Policy Advocacy & Infrastructure Reform 1 activity
- Advocacy for urban infrastructure reformAdvocated for the removal of the Interstate 81 viaduct in downtown Syracuse, contributing to public discourse and the eventual state decision to demolish the structure and replace it with a street-level Community Grid to reconnect divided neighborhoods.
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Community and Public Broadcasting Services 1 activity
- Podcast and radio programmingProduces and broadcasts a weekly podcast during election seasons and a monthly podcast series titled "It’s Happening Here," distributed via HD radio on stations in Syracuse, Utica, and Watertown.
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Neighborhood Revitalization Initiatives 1 activity
- Public housing redevelopment leadershipLeading a billion-dollar redevelopment of public housing on Syracuse’s Southside, including replacement and new construction of housing units, and conducting physical needs assessments such as for Eastwood Homes due to aging infrastructure.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Youth basketball tournament and community engagementOperates a free citywide 10K basketball tournament at Wilson Park in partnership with the Syracuse Housing Authority, providing access to sports for youth who cannot afford AAU leagues. Includes transportation via SHA shuttles, distribution of sneakers (including donations from NBA player Rajon Rondo), and over $80,000 in prize money distributed over six consecutive years.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$374K
Contributions & grants$374K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$432K
Program expenses50%
Admin / overhead34%
Fundraising16%
Salaries & benefits$283K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$91K
Cash$80K
Investments$0
Liabilities$14K
Net assets$77K
Liquid reserves2.2 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue -5.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAXIMILIAN EYLE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $64K |
board members · 8
- ANTHONY MALAVENDA — BOARD MEMBER
- LAURA LAVINE — BOARD MEMBER
- LAURENCE BOUSQUET — TREASURER
- PATRICK MANNION — SECRETARY
- ROOSEVELT RICK WRIGHT JR — CHAIR
- SAMUEL ROWSER — BOARD MEMBER
- SAPNA KOLLALI — BOARD MEMBER
- STEPHANIE PASQUALE — VICE CHAIR
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- City of Syracuse Government — Collaborates with the city on public housing redevelopment and regional development initiatives.
- City of Syracuse Partner — Entity from which SHA must obtain signatures for underground utility easements before receiving state funds.
- Dorothy and Marshall M. Reisman Foundation Funder — Major donor contributing between $100,000 and $499,000.
- Featured sponsors Partner — Sponsors supporting Central Current's coverage
- New York State Government — Works with New York State to access Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funding for affordable housing projects.
- New York State Department of Transportation Government — State agency that owes Syracuse Housing Authority nearly $3.7 million for land use related to I-81 viaduct removal and Community Grid construction.
- NewsMatch via The Miami Foundation Funder — Donor contributing between $5,000 and $49,999.
- Onondaga Citizens League Coalition — Collaborated on the advocacy effort to reevaluate and transform the I-81 corridor through research and public engagement.
- Onondaga County Government — Partners with Onondaga County on housing and infrastructure projects, including public housing redevelopment.
- Report For America Partner — Donor supporting Central Current's operations.
- Solutions Journalism Network Network — Uses impact measurement guidelines recommended by the Solutions Journalism Network.
- Syracuse Housing Authority Partner — Co-hosted the 10K basketball tournament at Wilson Park and provided logistical support including shuttles for youth transportation.
- Syracuse Press Club Government — Awarding body that granted 25 awards, including first prize for investigative journalism in 2025.
- Syracuse University Partner — Entity from which SHA must obtain signatures for underground utility easements before receiving state funds.
- The Anthony Malavenda & Martine Burat Fund Funder — Major donor contributing between $100,000 and $499,000.
- The Central New York Community Foundation Funder — Major donor contributing between $50,000 and $99,000.
- The Google News Initiative Partner — Donor supporting Central Current's operations.
- The Health Foundation of Western and Central New York Funder — Donor contributing between $5,000 and $49,999.
- The Inasmuch Foundation Funder — Major donor contributing between $50,000 and $99,000.
- The Institute for Nonprofit News Partner — Donor supporting Central Current's operations.
- The Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University Funder — Provides financial support for the CNY Decides program.
- WAER Syracuse Public Media Partner — Collaborates with Central Current on the CNY Decides reporting series.
- WCNY Community FM Partner — Production and broadcast partner for the "It’s Happening Here" podcast and radio show.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Local Storytelling for Civic Connectionmethodology: local_storytellingBy grounding national issues in local stories and community voices, the organization increases relevance and engagement because connecting broader trends to lived experiences strengthens civic understanding and community ownership of solutions.
- Reader-Supported Journalism Modelmethodology: reader-supported_journalismBy funding journalism through reader contributions, grants, and underwriting rather than advertising, the organization maintains editorial independence and produces trusted, accessible news because financial independence reduces external influence on content.
- Solutions and Civic Accountability Journalismmethodology: solutions_journalismBy focusing on solutions-oriented reporting and civic accountability, the organization aims to shift public discourse and drive policy change because highlighting effective responses to community challenges fosters engagement and measurable impact.