Who runs this, who pays for it, and what they get for their money. Updated annually.
Better 311 is an independent project owned and operated by Donovan Ladd (San Francisco, CA). It is not a city agency, not a nonprofit, and not part of any media company. Editorial control sits with the owner and the editorial process described in our Ethics & Independence policy.
| Source | What the supporter gets |
|---|---|
| Reader donations (Buy Me a Coffee) | Recognition only. No editorial input, no perks that gate data. |
| Newsletter / brief sponsorships | A labeled "Sponsored by X" placement. No topic control, no draft access, no influence on findings (see ethics policy). |
| Grants (e.g. California Civic Media Program) | Public disclosure on funded pieces. No editorial rights. |
| Professional data products (future) | Volume reports/API for professionals. Reader-facing data stays free. |
Supporters receive no preferential treatment, no advance access, and no protection from scrutiny. Public records stay free and public forever. We disclose supporters of $500 or more annually, below.
| Name | Tier / Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| No supporters of $500+ yet. This table will populate as the project grows. | ||
Questions: support@fromthescope.com