This is part 1 in a 5-part series. Our goal is to give you a look into how we fund our reporting, what we have planned in 2022, and how we’re working to expand our coverage. We cover a lot, but there’s no way to anticipate every question. If we missed something or you want to go deeper, make sure to email either Angie Cirone or Jay Allred.
“How are you funded?” “How do you make money?” This is a common question that we get all the time.
In a nutshell, our newsroom is principally funded by a combination of individual memberships, corporate sponsorship through our Newsroom Partner program, and competitive grants and philanthropy.
The goal remains a newsroom that is independent and healthy as a result of robust community support.
The investment of Newsroom Partners and Source Members makes a daily impact on the Source newsroom’s ability to produce impactful journalism that remains free and open to everyone in the region.
This year, the generosity of our members and 37 organizations and individuals that invested in the Source newsroom set a new standard. The 2022 winter cohort of Newsroom Partners invested nearly $170,000 in the independent local journalism of our reporters.
Notably, Chuck Hahn of the Cleveland Financial Group, contributed $50,000 to create the Richland Source Community Development section. He joined Mechanics Bank, DRM Productions, Spherion and W.O.B. Accountants and Advisors in making significant investments in the health of our region’s news ecosystem.
Ultimately, the investment of Newsroom Partners helps change the narrative about north central Ohio.
“You’re telling good stories about our community when there are good stories to tell, and when there is something challenging, you’re presenting it in a framework that gives people information and they can make a decision about it on their own,” said Gorman-Rupp President and CEO Scott King.
Gorman-Rupp is a 2022 Newsroom Partner.
At the end of 2021, 141 individuals became Source Members. Knox Pages reporter Grant Pepper made a bet with readers and ended up eating raccoon when they responded to his challenge.
As of April 2022, 1,155 members invest in our local news which generates $102,769 in annual revenue that enables journalists to do impactful reporting.
“I appreciate the ease to access and effort that your reporters and staff deliver every day,” said Source Member Deb McKee of Lexington. “I like the many positive articles that reflect what is happening in our community and keep me updated on current events.”
“You’re telling good stories about our community when there are good stories to tell, and when there is something challenging you’re presenting it in a framework that gives people information and they can make a decision about it on their own,” Gorman-Rupp President and CEO Scott King. Gorman-Rupp is a 2022 Newsroom Partner.
This support is so important because the local news industry continues to be in crisis. Local newsrooms are closing, selling or merging and access to local news is shrinking. However, during the pandemic, 70 local newsrooms were launched. The local news industry is both failing and transforming.
Source Media Properties is in the transformative category and it’s moving closer to achieving the north star goal of being 100% funded by Newsroom Partners and members. Contribute toward the goal by becoming a member today.
End note: You can find more details about our funding, our leadership, our staff and a bunch of other important things on our About page.
Editor’s Circle | $50,000
Cleveland Financial Group, Charles P. Hahn, CFP
Foundation | $25,000
Platinum | $10,000
W.O.B. Accountants and Advisors
Gold | $5,000
District 5 Area Agency on Aging
Silver | $2,500
Ashland County Community Foundation
Kleshinski, Morrison & Morris, CPA
Rand and Mary Smith
Bronze | $1,500
Kenyon College: Office of Community Partnerships
Richland Area Chamber and Economic Development
Sustainer | $1,000
Angela R. Phillips
Anonymous
Drs. Heringhaus General Dentistry
Mike and Carol Chambers
New Directions Employee Assistance Program & Counseling Center
Susan Fernyak
Promoter | $500
Austin H. Johnson
Janet Chandler
Jim & Ann Schmidt
Mansfield Engineered Components
The Ohio State University at Mansfield
A Newsroom Partnership is financial support for the independent local journalism produced by our reporters and editors. It associates an organization’s brand with rigorous, trusted reporting that seeks to make our community a better place to live and work. Newsroom Partnerships provide a way for employers to invite their team into a news ecosystem trusted 34 times more than national media. 100% of Newsroom Partner funding is dedicated to reporting and editing budgets.
Through their support, Newsroom Partners will trigger up to $22,000 in donated advertising to area nonprofits in 2022.
Newsroom Partners do not approve, read, edit, or otherwise influence the reporting of our newsroom. They understand that they will not like every headline. They trust, however, that our reporting is independent and fair and that we will always keep the good of our community at the center of our coverage. Newsroom Partners sometimes provide expertise, wisdom, or connections to subject-matter experts that our newsroom may not know about, which we take care to disclose in our reporting.