A brethren news site off to a great start

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following appeared last week on YachatsNews.com, the 3-year-old online news site that helped inspire creation of the Highway 58 Herald. We’re republishing it here with the permission of Quinton Smith, the Yachats site’s founder and editor, because he has decided to follow The Herald’s example and transition to nonprofit status, and because his fundraising campaign is something that The Herald’s readers can expect soon. 

June 9, 2022 update

The campaign by YachatsNews to help sustain local journalism is off to a strong start toward its $20,000 local fundraising goal since launching seven days ago.

Individual contributions from YachatsNews readers the first week ranged from $5 to $1,000 and pushed the local fundraising effort for the week to $5,391.

The local fundraising effort is part of a transition plan that is moving YachatsNews to a nonprofit organization. As YachatsNews seeks grants from local, state and national foundations, the effort is intended to show there is strong, local support not only in readership growth but in financial commitment. The goal is to raise $70,000 via a variety of sources by the end of the year to hire a full-time reporter.

As stated in its original announcement (see below) reader contributions are being matched up to $10,000 in an effort to raise $20,000 locally.

Here’s one comment typical of responses to the fundraising request: “…as a 10-year part time resident in Yachats, your Friday post is my main connection to what’s happening in the area. What I didn’t know was that this is a community service project. Your commitment is truly significant, and makes a huge difference. As readers, we are lucky. I hope all appreciate the perspective and background you bring based on your experience and expertise.”

Another reader commented: “With the staggering shuttering of newspapers, few communities have reliable news sources. And a town the size of Yachats rarely, if ever, has this level of professional, quality news reporting.”

There are three ways to contribute:

• Write a check to YachatsNews’ “fiscal sponsor” Polly Plumb Productions, label it “YachatsNews Fundraising Campaign” and mail it to Polly Plumb Productions, P.O. Box 128, Yachats, Ore. 97498. For tax purposes, you will get a letter acknowledging your donation;
• Use the PayPal feature on the fundraising “thermometer” graphic with this article or via the “Donate” button of this website;
• Use the GoFundMe donation portal on the fundraising “thermometer” with this article, or go to the YachatsNews’ Facebook page.

Look for weekly fundraising campaign updates through the end of the month.

If you have questions, please email me at [email protected] or call me at 503-970-3867. I am happy to answer questions and share any nuances of the campaign, the transition, future plans, and operations the past 3½ years.

    — Quinton Smith/Editor & Manager