Eden Prairie residents’ willingness to financially support nonprofit, non-partisan, community-run news will be tested again in November and December, as Eden Prairie Local News (EPLN) holds its 2023 year-end fundraising campaign.
Donations are being invited that will help EPLN deliver on its promise to build community news in Eden Prairie – that is, provide compelling and trustworthy hyperlocal news that residents can use in their everyday lives.
The nonprofit EPLN was formed in 2020, during the pandemic and shortly after Eden Prairie’s 46-year-old community print newspaper, the Eden Prairie News, was closed by its owners. Within a few months, a founders’ group laid the foundation of a community-run nonprofit and launched a news website, eplocalnews.org.
Three years in, EPLN has published more than 2,300 local news stories about Eden Prairie’s ever-changing landscape. Paid EPLN staff in fiscal 2022 were part of a $156,000 annual expense budget, nearly all of which was covered by donations, advertising, and foundation grants.
But to become sustainable, EPLN needs to grow its staffing to full-time, living-wage-paying jobs, and that’s where donor help is needed. Dollars provided in November and December will go toward EPLN’s work in 2024. Reaching a goal of $50,000 for this two-month campaign may even result in expanded staffing, according to EPLN leaders.
Helping the effort in November and December are matching dollars from the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN), the national organization that supports EPLN’s work locally. By donating to EPLN in November or December, you will help EPLN unlock $16,500 in national matching funds – from foundations, philanthropists, and businesses – that are commonly called “NewsMatch” funds. The national funds via INN are meant to motivate giving from Eden Prairie partners and individuals.
The theme for EPLN’s year-end fundraising effort is “News for People, Not for Profit,” which is a nod to EPLN’s belief that the enduring solution for hyperlocal, non-partisan journalism serving everyone in Eden Prairie is a nonprofit model that’s community-owned and run.
“We turn donations into news,” said Steve Schewe, publisher of EPLN. “We know by the growing number of requests we get from residents and businesses that people think we’re a lot bigger than we are. If you depend on accurate, current information about Eden Prairie in order to make good decisions for yourself, your family, or your business, donate now.”
If you recently donated to EPLN to support community journalism in Eden Prairie, thank you! If you haven’t given – ever, or in a while – you can donate now on the EPLN website or mail a donation check to: Eden Prairie Local News, P.O. Box 44242, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. (EPLN will also be participating in Minnesota’s Give to the Max Day effort on Nov. 16.) Your donation in November or December goes further with the matching funds from INN.
For more information about the campaign, contact CEO/Publisher Steve Schewe at steve.schewe@eplocalnews.org or 952-946-1931.
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