Beacon has raised $31,000; donors can take tax deductions

Editor’s note: In response to The Beacon’s campaign to solicit donations to support the newspaper, some readers have asked for more information about the Florida Press Foundation, whose nonprofit status makes your donations tax-deductible.

We can count the Florida Community News Fund among bright ideas that emerged from the darkness of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, as the pandemic strengthened its grip on local economies, newspapers were reeling. Advertisers were forced to shut down, marketing budgets evaporated, and person-to-person sales calls were impossible.

The Beacon went from a twice-a-week print publication to once-a-week. Newspapers around the state closed their doors.

The Florida Press Foundation’s phone was ringing. Publishers were asking for help.

“We were getting so many requests from members all around the state,” said Karen Tower, executive director of the nonprofit foundation. They were asking “What can we do? How can we take advantage of some of these grants and donations?”

The Florida Press Foundation had been created during the 1980s by the Florida Press Association, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 

Its mission, then and now, was to support member newspapers through programs that, for example, provide paid interns to newspapers, offer leadership training, support Newspapers in Education programs, and host educational opportunities like the annual media conference that brings the state’s newspapers together newspapers to share ideas and celebrate successes.

The foundation’s board members brainstormed. They learned of the New England Press Association’s program that allowed New England’s newspapers to accept tax-deductible donations and apply for grants available only to nonprofit organizations.

It was not the only such program in the U.S., but it matched Florida’s need.

“We pretty much created on that’s very similar to what they have,” Tower said.

With advice from Florida Press Association attorney Sam Morley and a law firm specializing in the field, the Florida Community News Fund was born.

“Our members can accept tax-deductible donations to support their journalism activities,” Tower said.

And, they have. Today, some 15 newspapers across the state, large and small — including The West Volusia Beacon — take part. 

Since partnering with the Community News Fund in August, The Beacon has raised about $31,000 in support essential to keep the newspaper strong though tumultuous changes affecting the industry.

Most of the partner newspapers, Tower said, organize campaigns at specific times each year to encourage donations. Currently, end-of-year giving campaigns are in full swing, as supporters calculate the tax advantages of giving money to nonprofit causes they believe in.

Donors make their online contributions, or write their checks, directly to the Florida Press Foundation’s Community New Funds. The money, less a 3 percent administrative fee, is passed through to The Beacon.

The 3-percent fee covers the costs of running the donation program, and also supports the rest of the foundation’s work.

Tower complimented the West Volusia community’s support of The Beacon.

“You guys have done really well,” she said.

Other newspapers using the foundation include the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, the Citrus County Chronicle and the Wakulla Sun, for example.

The Beacon thanks those donors who have given to the Florida Community News Fund to keep reliable, unbiased, local-news coverage alive and well in the West Volusia community.

To donate or learn more, click on the “donate” button at the top of The Beacon’s home page at www.beacononlinenews.com. Donations can be one-time, or monthly.

Check may also be delivered or mailed to The Beacon, 110 W. New York Ave., DeLand, 32720. They should be made out to the Florida Press Foundation.

“It’s very nice to see that our Florida communities value and support our newspapers,” Tower said.