Frequently asked questions

While hundreds of local newspapers across the country have either shuttered or sold to hedge funds, our owners have remained deeply rooted in Arkansas and committed to keeping strong, independent reporting alive in our state.

They've made significant investments to maintain a robust newsroom so journalists can cover Columbia County with the depth and accountability our readers deserve. But relying on one family to preserve this level of reporting in Arkansas is not sustainable long-term. 

Philanthropic funding offers a viable solution by treating community news not as a commodity, but as a public service. Your tax-deductible donations are made directly to the Columbia County Community Foundation, not the newspaper, and are granted to the Banner-News newsroom to support the production of local news.

We want to be perfectly clear: We are not relying on philanthropy alone to ensure the future of our business. We are continually working on strategies to grow our traditional revenue sources, including attracting new subscribers and creating new advertising opportunities. Philanthropic support is the third, crucial leg of this diversified approach to secure the stability needed for the long term.

The newspaper is a for-profit entity, but your donation is a tax-deductible investment that directly funds public service journalism.

Because of changes that have affected the newspaper industry as whole, there is a gap in funding for in-depth local reporting. Donations fund costly, time-consuming work like in-depth investigations and dedicated coverage of critical local issues such as education, health and government accountability. This model leverages the newspaper’s existing platforms so that civically important stories reach the largest possible audience. Because this reporting is so vital, funded stories are made available to everyone, regardless of subscriber status.

We’ve partnered with the Columbia County Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shares our belief that fair, accurate and independent reporting isn’t just a product — it’s a public service essential to the civic health of our state. Many readers have asked how they can support this mission beyond subscribing, and this gives them a way to make a deeper investment in the future of local news in Columbia County.

This philanthropic funding model — used by successful family-owned papers like The New Orleans Times-Picayune and The Charleston Post and Courier — will help ensure Columbia County's stories are told, our leaders are held accountable and our history is preserved for generations to come.

The reality is that we've already trimmed costs everywhere possible without sacrificing the quality of our local reporting. 

We could become profitable tomorrow by cutting the newsroom in half, but that would come at the cost of watchdog reporting, civic accountability and informed public debate. That's a trade we’re not willing to make.

No. Converting to a nonprofit would shift control to an outside board and make the newspaper dependent on grants, which can fluctuate with donor priorities. Remaining family-owned allows us to be independent, make decisions quickly and uphold the traditional journalistic values that guide our newsroom.

This fund was created solely for the production and expansion of community news. Our agreement with the Columbia County Community Foundation prohibits the use of funds for:

• General operating expenses, salaries for executives or owners, or any distribution to shareholders.

• Wire or opinion content.

• Fundraising expenses.

• Any expense not directly related to community journalism.

Donations help our reporters dig deeper, tell stories that might otherwise go untold and reach more people. For example, your support may:

• Fund data purchases that unlock public-record investigations.

• Pay for translation services so important stories reach non-English-speaking readers.

• Support a reporter to fill gaps in coverage.

To celebrate the launch of the Banner-News Community Journalism Project, the first 50 donors who contribute $100 or more will become members of our Founder’s Circle. These donors’ names will be published under the Founder’s Circle header in the Banner-News and on this website. Founder’s Circle members will receive a Banner-News t-shirt to show their support for local news. 

The Banner-News ensures reader and public trust in our community-funded reporting. The Banner-News editors and reporters operate independently of our funders and maintain full editorial control over content. Funders do not have special access to newsroom staff.

Your donations help make Community Journalism Project stories accessible online for the public at no charge. Click here to view these stories.

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 Columbia County Community Foundation. Online donations can be made here, and checks sent to:

Columbia County Community Foundation

116 S. Washington

Magnolia, AR  71753

Please make checks payable to the Columbia County Community Foundation and write “Banner-News Community Journalism” in the memo line.

Another way you can help is becoming a Banner-News subscriber if you aren't already! Click here  to subscribe.