In January 2020, VTDigger was selected as a part of an inaugural cohort of 11 community news organizations across the country to receive a transformational investment from American Journalism Project (AJP). The letter below is written by AJP’s co-founder. We are publishing it today as our nonprofit counterparts around the world are participating in a global day of giving. #GivingTuesdayNow is an emergency response to the Covid-19 pandemic launched by GivingTuesday to support news organizations and other nonprofits doing vital work to take care of their communities.
Dear VTDigger Community,
I’m writing to you today as a co-founder of the American Journalism Project, a first-of-its-kind venture philanthropy organization, designed to provide organizations like VTDigger the financial and operational support they need to ensure that Vermont’s critical information needs are met.
In December, we selected VTDigger to be among our first grantees, one of 11 organizations chosen from among more than 150 candidates from across the U.S. We couldn’t have known that just months later the importance of local news to the health and well-being of communities would be demonstrated so starkly and urgently. We often talk about mission-driven newsrooms as part of our civic infrastructure. Now, unfortunately, we talk about them as an essential part of our crisis response infrastructure too, combating misinformation and rumors, connecting resources with those who need them, and keeping neighbors connected to each other.
Today I urge you to consider joining us in supporting the work of VTDigger, if you are not already doing so.
Your gift will go further alongside ours, because we are working closely with VTDigger to ensure that they develop a sustainable business model, increasing the dollars available to report the news and grow VTDigger’s ability to serve the entire community. We stand behind them. Their success is our success.
Through it all, VTDigger has been there for you, reporting on the Covid-19 crisis 24/7, with timely news, critical data resources and comprehensive analyses to help you navigate the repercussions of the Covid-19 outbreak.
To keep you abreast of the latest, their newsroom has been producing 30-40 stories more than usual per week and developing unique Covid resources, such as a business directory, FAQ database, and live updates page.
Here’s the stark reality. 86% of Americans believe everyone should have access to local news even if they don’t pay for it. At the same time, 60% of jobs in journalism have disappeared and over 2,100 communities have lost newspapers, journalists, and access to local news. Which brings us back to why VTDigger is inspiring to AJP:
- It’s mission-driven, meaning it works to fill the critical information needs of your community and create greater civic engagement.
- It’s made up of exceptional leaders that you can trust. Leaders that hold the powerful accountable, combat disinformation, and deepen civic participation.
- It’s good for democracy. When the public has access to information about local issues, democracy thrives. People are more likely to vote and tend to be less polarized.
- It’s good for communities. Local news creates a sense of pride and place through shared facts; helping communities come together, particularly during difficult events. We’ve seen this be even more front and center during our national and global pandemic.
- It’s good for people like you. Local news creates an opportunity for people like you to act on a level where you can truly make a difference, empowering you to help shape your surroundings.
Which is where you come in. AJP has always believed that VTDigger can ultimately be sustained by the people and the community it serves. We wouldn’t have invested if we didn’t believe there was a serious opportunity for VTDigger to continue being part of the lifeblood of Vermont’s community and to reach even more people and serve more communities.
We hope that you will show your confidence in VTDigger by becoming a member today. If you’re already a supporting member, I sincerely thank you.
In partnership together, we can help make sure that everyone has access to local civic news — today and for the next generation. We believe in a better path forward, where we partner together to reinvigorate local journalism and American democracy.
John Thornton
The Texas Tribune Founder
American Journalism Project Co-Founder