FAQs

Why are you raising money through a non-profit?

Newspapers across the U.S. are struggling due to declines in advertising, drops in circulation and the availability of free content online. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette is fortunate to be locally owned and have shareholders dedicated to maintaining a robust newsroom and quality product. However, we are not immune to issues facing our industry.

Local journalism is the foundation of a healthy and vibrant community. An informed citizen is an active citizen - someone who gets involved, votes and takes pride in their community. And they trust their local newspaper to keep them informed. In order to better serve our readers and ensure the future of Arkansas news, we need support.

We’ve had readers and members of the community express interest in supporting our mission. Together, we can grow community awareness and sustain journalism as an institution that is essential to the health of our community.

Who will provide funding?

We are seeking grants and donations from individuals, national and local foundations, private organizations and anyone interested in supporting and sustaining local journalism. Donors may gift one time or set up recurring donations monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

We will publish the names of donors in the newspaper, unless they opt to remain anonymous.

Through our fiscal sponsor the Arkansas Community Foundation, we are able to accept charitable gifts in a variety of forms, including cash, publicly traded securities, life insurance, IRA distributions, retirement assets, real state, timber or crops, and charitable gift annuities.

Do donors have any say in editorial content?

No. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ensures reader and public trust in our community-funded journalism. The Democrat-Gazette editors and reporters operate independently of our funders and maintain full editorial control over content. Funders do not have special access to newsroom staff.

How are funds spent? Will financials be available to the public?

Your contributions to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Community Journalism Fund will help pay for covering stories that matter the most to Arkansans. Donations can fund:

Travel expenses to send reporters to places around the state and the country so they can cover stories in person instead of over the phone or by the internet
Provide training for newsroom staff on how to collect, analyze and process vast quantities of data
Fund new positions for specialized coverage

All contributions to the Community Journalism Project are administered by the Arkansas Community Foundation, a nonprofit grant making organization.

The Democrat-Gazette will provide an annual report to the ACF that includes a description on how the grants were utilized to further community journalism in Arkansas. This report will also be posted on this website. If a project is funded, it will be noted at the end of each story.

This is your chance to invest in the stories that shape our great state. Please donate or commit to a monthly pledge and become a champion for community journalism!

What if I want to donate to a specific area of interest?

Community Journalism Project funds are used across the newsroom to sustain and expand general operations. However, keystone funding opportunities exist for donors willing to give long-term financial support. Multi-year commitments can help fund reporters in specific areas such as arts and culture, education, health care, investigative journalism, military and sports.

If you are interested in providing keystone funding for a multi-year position in our newsroom, please call 501-399-3625 to schedule a meeting.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

How can I help?

Please consider setting up a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual recurring donation to the Community Journalism Project. One-time donations are also accepted.

All donations to the Community Journalism Project are administered by the Arkansas Community Foundation in Little Rock. Online donations can be made here, and checks sent to:

Arkansas Community Foundation

5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110

Little Rock, AR 72202

Please make payable to the Arkansas Community Foundation and write “ADG Community Journalism Project” in the memo line.

Another way you can help is becoming an Arkansas Democreat-Gazette subscriber if you aren't already! Click here for info on how to subscribe.

Frequently asked questions