At a critical crossroads: Roundabout joins fundraiser to double contributions
November 18, 2024 | By Lisa Scagliotti 
As local media — including this outlet — struggle to survive, Waterbury Roundabout wants our readers to know that we’ve joined a groundbreaking national fundraising effort through the end of 2024 to support local news operations.
A national campaign supporting nearly 400 nonprofit news organizations, NewsMatch will double all contributions individuals make to the Roundabout through Dec. 31 up to a grand total of $15,000. That means we have the potential to raise up to $30,000 over the next several weeks.
Waterbury Roundabout is now in its fourth year but its future is uncertain. Our small staff puts in many volunteer hours as we have yet to build a revenue stream that supports even one full-time salary. This matching campaign could be a game-changer.
NewsMatch is a program of the Institute for Nonprofit News, a national trade organization which Waterbury Roundabout joined this year. NewsMatch has $7.5 million to distribute to match the local efforts. The funding comes from 18 foundations and philanthropic organizations including Democracy Fund, Heising-Simons Foundation, Henry Luce Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. (See the full list here.)
The funds raised from supporters and the match have no strings attached. They may be used for general operating expenses, allowing each news organization to spend them on whatever is most important for covering their communities.
How it works
Participating in the NewsMatch fundraiser is easy:
All individual donations of up to $1,000 made online on our website or by check will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
If you already are a monthly Roundabout supporter, your November and December contributions will be matched 100%. You don’t need to do anything else.
If you prefer to make a one-time contribution, now is the time to do so for it to be doubled by NewsMatch.
One key feature: If you sign up now to give monthly to the Roundabout, Newsmatch will kick in the value of a year’s worth of your contributions. For example: A new $10 monthly contribution will be matched with $120 from NewsMatch.
We hope individual contributions will reach the $15,000 match cap by New Year’s Eve.
How to double your donation
Visit our fundraising page and contribute via credit card.
Write a check to Vermont Journalism Trust, our fiscal sponsor. (VJT is the parent 501c3 nonprofit to VTDigger.) On the memo line, write “for Waterbury Roundabout.” Mail it to Waterbury Roundabout, P.O. Box 626, Waterbury, VT 05676.
If you use an investment account, write a check the same way or VJT can accept direct electronic transactions for the Roundabout. Contact us at WaterburyRoundabout@gmail.com so we can help arrange that.
Why it matters
Late summer blooms in the actual Waterbury roundabout traffic circle in downtown Waterbury. Photo by Gordon Miller
Waterbury Roundabout is at a critical point in determining how and whether to continue operating. Building a reliable revenue stream requires support from individual readers as well as advertising and sponsorships from local businesses and organizations, and grant opportunities.
Covering local news while trying to build a solid financial footing for the Roundabout is a tall order. We intend to devote our best efforts to that goal in the months ahead and hope the community will provide the needed support.
To that end, this NewsMatch opportunity can truly put our reader contributions to work at a new level.
We are working hard to be the source for Waterbury’s news about local government, schools, businesses, people, events and our community overall through our reporting, photography, and platform for people to share their opinions. We also value that the Roundabout is viewed not just as a news source for Waterbury but from the Waterbury community. Readers of the Times Argus, the Valley Reporter and VTDigger see Waterbury Roundabout news stories and photos reporting on events here. WDEV checks in each week for highlights on stories we are covering.
We’re happy we’ve come this far in a few not-so-short years. We see the potential for the Roundabout to put down strong roots and grow as a lasting source of independent community journalism.
We hope enough of you agree to make that a reality.
Also, find more information about NewsMatch on the Institute for Nonprofit News website and in this article in Editor & Publisher, a journalism trade publication.
Questions? Email us at waterburyroundabout@gmail.com.
Lisa Scagliotti is editor of Waterbury Roundabout.