Hi there,

We’re a few more days into our Spring Supporter Drive, a time when we ask regular readers of this free news service to pitch in and support it by June 22.

We've reached 10 per cent of our 30 new monthly supporter goal — and a contribution of any amount you can afford each month will get us closer to the finish line. 

But how are we funded, exactly? I get this question regularly, so I want to answer it directly.

Discourse Community Publishing is an independent publishing family that was founded by Vancouver-based journalists at The Discourse more than 10 years ago — with no paywall and no ads. 

The Discourse grew to include Sun Peaks Independent News, The Wren News serving Kamloops (est 2022), Revelstoke Mountaineer (re-imagined in 2022) — and we’re able to keep publishing dozens of stories each week because our revenue comes from a diverse mix of three sources: Individuals, newsroom partners and government journalism programs.

The strategy is simple: a diverse mix of funding, never one concentrated source. That's what financial independence looks like in practice — and it's what keeps us accountable to the community rather than to a single funder or group of shareholders.

Right now we’re in a tricky spot. What we need most right now is that first source — individual monthly supporters.  It's the most flexible kind of revenue we have. It tells us we can plan, hire, and keep showing up at council.

But these reader contributions are not growing to the level that we’d expected or hoped, despite the amazing feedback we receive about this news service.

Here’s why new supporter Kate F. said she supports our journalism:

“Because we need local journalism, and I want to read stories from my region. I mindlessly subscribe to streaming services, I want to put money more towards my values.”

If you care about independent community news, now is the time to support it.

Your contributions of $10 or $15 a month help ensure our journalists can stay working for you.

So what do we mean by diverse sources?  

1. Individuals like you. Readers contributing $10 or $15 a month, or making one-time and annual gifts. This is the foundation. 

2. Newsroom Partners. Local businesses and community organizations sponsoring newsletters, events and our print magazines. Our sponsorship policy keeps editorial control entirely with us: partners don't see stories before publication and don't have special access to reporters. These relationships help keep our journalism free for everyone to read.

3. Government journalism programs. Like most Canadian news outlets you read, DCP qualifies for the Canadian Journalism Labour tax credit and is a Qualified Canadian Journalism Organization. Government officials can in no way influence the types of stories or the content of the stories, as per DCP’s partnership policy.

If you want to continue to see answers to your local questions and an impact at the local governance level in the lead up to the election — now is the time to support this local news service.

If you're a local business or organization interested in becoming a Newsroom Partner, hit reply and I'll send details.

With gratitude,

Brandi Schier

Publisher, Discourse Community Publishing