Dear Reader,

Today we’re launching our Fall Member Drive to raise $150,000 for independent reporting that helps Vermonters make decisions about their lives and their communities.

A gift of $14 a month — less than 50 cents a day — keeps this service strong and free for every neighbor.

If you believe in the power of independent, trustworthy Vermont news, please become a monthly sustaining member today. If monthly isn’t right, a one-time gift in any amount still helps us reach our Fall Member Drive goal.

Across the country, local journalism is disappearing. Since I began reporting for Vermont newspapers in the early 2000s, the number of journalists in the United States has fallen by more than 75%. Today, one in three counties has no full-time local reporter.

But Vermont is an exception because of you.

A new report from Muck Rack and Rebuild Local News reveals that Vermont maintains the highest number of local journalists per capita in the nation, thanks in large part to VTDigger and the readers who support us. While we still have a long way to go to restore our press corps, this is an achievement worth celebrating.

I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together. But keeping Vermonters informed takes ongoing commitment. When we say we can’t do it without you, we truly mean it: The only way to keep VTDigger strong is with continued support from readers like you.

If you value independent, in-depth reporting that explains complex issues, connects neighbors and holds power to account, I invite you to become a sustaining member today.

Locally owned newsrooms like ours prioritize accuracy, depth and community focus. That work requires time, editors, document requests, travel and follow-up. It’s only possible through reader support. 

Monthly support gives us the resources to stay on top of the issues that matter to you like housing, the environment, immigration, education and rural healthcare. It means we can have reporters in the Statehouse, attend court hearings and knock on doors to include the voices of everyday Vermonters.

Together, we can keep our community informed, connected and strong.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

P.S. Make a gift during our Fall Member Drive and you’ll be entered to win one of two $250 gift cards to Johnson Woolen Mills. New monthly sustainers will also receive a VTDigger sustainer decal.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger’s fall membership drive aims to raise $150,000.

Dear Reader,

Our Spring Member Drive ends Friday at midnight. In the spirit of transparency, we’re still facing a significant gap of $72,361 to reach our goal. But right now, every single donation will be TRIPLED — thanks to a generous match from two Vermont donors.

That means your gift of $10 becomes $30. $50 becomes $150. $100 becomes $300.

When powerful interests try to obscure the facts, VTDigger pushes back. Our reporters are in the field every day, asking tough questions, following the money, and uncovering stories that affect real people — from the Statehouse to our small towns.

Your support makes this possible.

If you value journalism that puts the public interest first — that’s independent, nonpartisan and deeply local — now is the time to act.

Give before midnight on Friday, April 18 and your donation will be tripled. Will you help us close the gap?

Thank you for believing in the power of public service journalism.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch,
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Until midnight Friday: Your gift to VTDigger goes 3X further.

Dear Reader,

Although you may have seen a few snow flurries recently, spring in Vermont always brings a sense of renewal and possibility. This year, our Spring Membership Drive is fully embracing that spirit.

I’m thrilled that VTDigger is partnering with Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports, a nonprofit that empowers people of all abilities through inclusive sports and recreation. 

When you donate today, your gift will do double the good: it fuels independent journalism and sends $5 to Vermont Adaptive. Will you join us?

This collaboration is close to my heart — because I’ve seen firsthand what adaptive sports can mean to a person and their family.

My brother Shane is an athlete with disabilities. Growing up, I watched him navigate a world that often wasn’t built with him in mind. That’s why it meant so much when our family found places where he could truly participate and thrive. Whether he was in the saddle through a therapeutic horseback riding program or aiming for a strike in Special Olympics bowling, I loved seeing his confidence, spiritedness and joy shine through.

Vermont Adaptive promotes independence and furthers equality through opportunities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boarding, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, veterans’ programs and more.

And just as Vermont Adaptive helps people access the outdoors, VTDigger helps Vermonters access the truth.

During our Spring Drive, when you support VTDigger, you’re also supporting Vermont Adaptive. Together, we’re advancing connection — through sport, through journalism and through the power of an informed community.

If this resonates with you, I hope you’ll consider making a donation today. Your gift fuels investigative reporting, holds power to account, and helps ensure Vermonters of all abilities and backgrounds are reflected in our coverage — and in our future.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

P.S. Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is always looking for passionate and caring volunteers with a love for the outdoors. If you’re interested, visit their website to learn more.

Read the story on VTDigger here: A note from our CEO: Your gift will do double the good.

Dear reader,

Across America, the free press — one of democracy’s foundations — is under attack. Journalists face threats, billionaires control newspapers, and misinformation is spreading faster than ever. Powerful interests are working to shape the narrative to serve themselves. But VTDigger won’t let that happen in Vermont.

This spring, we’re gearing up to dig like never before. With rapid changes in Washington and pressing challenges facing Vermonters, VTDigger needs your support to shine a light on the facts. 

Will you join our Spring Member Drive by donating in the amount that works best for you? 

Here, we’re committed to reporting the truth, even when it makes those in power uncomfortable. We believe in giving Vermonters the information they need to make daily decisions, hold their leaders accountable and shape the future of our state.

Issues facing Vermonters right now — economic hardship, housing access, education funding, substance misuse, climate change — need to be discussed in the public sphere in order to develop solutions. With your support this year, VTDigger will:

• Hire a reporter dedicated to covering wealth, poverty, and economic inequality.
• Track and explain how new federal policies will impact Vermonters.
• Deepen our commitment to investigative journalism to ensure transparency in government, business and public institutions.

We need your help to keep up the fight. Will you make a one-time donation, or better yet, become a monthly sustaining member?

Vermont needs VTDigger for fearless, fact-based journalism. And VTDigger needs you.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Spring for truth: Support local news now.

“I am reading Digger sitting in my warm cozy house with my wood stove cranking out heat. I will be happy to imagine other readers doing the same.”

Member from Ludlow, VT

Dear reader,

We are in the final days of our joint news and firewood drive. We still believe we can send 15 cords of firewood by Dec. 25.

Help us shine a light on the facts and spread warmth this holiday season with a year-end gift that does double duty.

VTDigger’s reporters work around the clock to bring you public service reporting with impact, like our full disclosure series which spurred more robust financial disclosure requirements for legislators. 

We bring you deep, original investigations that make you ask more questions, like Shaun Robinson’s on how the federal government has quietly built three surveillance towers along the Canadian border. 

Our journalists get to the bottom of what’s really happening, like Housing Reporter Carly Berlin’s data dive into the pervasive myth that Vermont is a “magnet” state for unsheltered people. 

All of this reporting takes days — sometimes weeks or even months — of research, source interviews, fact checking and editing. VTDigger provides it free of charge, to ensure everyone has equal access to the truth. 

But it takes significant resources to produce. Your support ensures that we can keep telling these stories. Plus, for every 80 members who donate, Wood4Good can deliver one cord of wood — enough for 4 weeks of heat — to a family in need.

If you can, please consider becoming a sustaining member at a level that works for you. Sustaining members make it possible for us to dig deeper. Become a sustaining member at $15/month and  we’ll send you a free VTDigger t-shirt.

Thank you for considering a gift to fuel journalism and warmth across Vermont.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

P.S. Giving to the Vermont Journalism Trust/VTDigger is also possible via donor-advised funds. To learn more, visit this page.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Journalism and warmth: Join the final days of giving.

Dear readers,

Today is a special day for VTDigger and for Vermont news! Thanks to three generous donors, every gift made on Giving Tuesday is tripled. That means your support goes three times as far to keep VTDigger strong and independent.

Our committed friends from Ripton, Jeffersonville and Charlotte are tripling every contribution, including monthly sustaining gifts. Please contribute before midnight on Tuesday and take advantage of this opportunity to make an outsized impact.

 All one-time and annual contributions up to $500 and monthly gifts up to $50 will be matched 3X for the first 12 months.

Plus, if you sign up to be a $15/month sustainer, your gift will be tripled for the first year and we will send you a limited-edition 15th Anniversary shirt as a thank you! 

Anyone who gives will also receive 15% off in our merch store with new items from our collaboration with Vermont cartoonist Daryl Seitchik. There’s no better time to give.

We know there are many worthy causes to support today and every day, but we hope sustaining local news is a priority to our readers. Original, local reporting like the kind our newsroom provides is:

• The foundation of democracy. Without trusted journalism, misinformation proliferates, eroding the accountability and transparency that democracy depends on. 
• A direct investment in your community. Our reporting impacts your community and makes a tangible, positive impact by uncovering injustices, improving public services and providing timely information.
• At risk. Local news is a lifeline for smaller communities, yet it’s under constant threat. With massive declines in newspaper jobs and closures of local outlets, nonprofit newsrooms like VTDigger are stepping in to fill the void—but they need financial support to thrive.

Every dollar you give powers the fearless journalism that Vermonters rely on, from investigative reports that expose corruption to breaking news that keeps you informed during times of crisis. And today, that dollar goes three times as far. 

Thank you for loyal readership, and for considering a gift to VTDigger this Giving Tuesday.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Every gift matched 3X: Support local news this Giving Tuesday.

Dear readers,

This year, VTDigger turns 15 —  a milestone that marks a decade and a half of storytelling, impact, and the trust you’ve placed in us. What started in 2009 as Anne Galloway’s bold, one-woman newsroom has grown into Vermont’s most trusted source for statewide journalism — thanks to loyal readers like you.

We’re thrilled to celebrate this milestone with you and invite you to join us in shaping the future of Vermont journalism with a special year-end gift. Will you help us reach our goal of 1,500 members by December 15th and keep us digging with a $15/month sustaining gift?

New $15/month sustainers will receive our 15th anniversary shirt as a thank you gift!

In an era when misinformation and attacks on the free press threaten our democracy, VTDigger’s mission is more essential than ever. Every day, and especially in times of crisis, readers turn to us for timely, fact-checked information. With more than 2,450 original news stories published this year, we’re committed to bringing Vermonters the clarity and depth they need in a world of increasing noise.

Yet, local news is at risk. Vermont has lost 75% of its newspaper jobs in the past 25 years. Without local news, communities lose their voice, accountability declines and important issues remain hidden. Together, we can rebuild local news and create a stronger, more informed Vermont.

We’re excited to introduce a special VTDigger pop-up merch store featuring our anniversary collaboration with Vermont cartoonist Daryl Seitchik. Explore the shop to find unique gifts for everyone on your list this season. Every purchase helps support high-quality journalism for Vermont.

As we celebrate this milestone, I hope you’ll join us in securing a brighter future for local news. Please consider making a gift today to support VTDigger’s next chapter and keep our state informed and empowered.

Thank you,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger turns 15: A milestone for Vermont journalism.

Dear readers,

Today is Thanksgiving, and I feel fortunate to know I’ll be sharing a meal with family and friends this evening. It is heartbreaking that so many Vermonters are grappling with food insecurity — something my own family experienced when I was young.

This holiday, we have an opportunity to come together to make a difference. Today, when you support VTDigger, you’ll also help send 5,000 meals to the Vermont Foodbank.

By donating to VTDigger before Thanksgiving Day ends, you can help us continue our critical reporting on the issues Vermonters care about most while also providing meals to families in need.

• $100 strengthens our democracy and provides 25 meals.
• $25 helps rebuild Vermont’s press corps and provides a meal to Vermonters in need.
• $50 sustains our public service journalism and provides 5 meals

Together, we can ensure that no Vermonter goes hungry and that our state remains informed and connected.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger Thanksgiving drive: There is still time to send meals to neighbors in need.

The most recent data shows that hunger in Vermont is on the rise year over year — a crisis exacerbated by the pandemic, rising housing costs and recent flooding. VTDigger has covered these issues extensively, bringing attention to the growing challenges Vermonters are facing.

This Thanksgiving, we’ve partnered with the Vermont Foodbank to help provide meals to neighbors in need and we only have a few days left to send 5,000 meals! 

There are hundreds of thousands of readers who rely on VTDigger for timely news and information about Vermont every month, but only 1% help sustain it. We are so grateful for your readership, will you help support our work?

If every VTDigger reader donated $20 to our year-end drive, we could end the drive today. Please consider a gift now — no matter how big or small.

As the Vermont Foodbank and its partners strive to meet growing demand for food aid, they know they’re responding to a basic need. But the factors that are driving food insecurity are complex. As the charitable food system reacts, local journalists are on the frontlines of explaining what is happening, why and what you can do to change it.

You can support access to food aid — an immediate need for many Vermonters — while also ensuring that communities have the information and context needed to address the root causes of hunger.

While $5 or $25 may not seem like much, if everyone receiving this message gave, we would reach our year-end goal and send 5,000 meals to neighbors in need today.

• $25 provides 1 meal for a Vermont family and supports VTDigger’s reporting.
• $50 provides 5 meals and fuels our independent journalism.
• $100 provides 25 meals and ensures the news remains free for all Vermonters.

Together, we can make a lasting impact. Join us in feeding neighbors and supporting local journalism.

With thanks,

Sky Barsch,
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Only a few days left in VTDigger’s Thanksgiving Drive: Feed families and support journalism.

Dear reader,

As we close out this election season, many have reached out to me, expressing uncertainty about what lies ahead. Whether the election results make you feel hopeful, concerned or a mix of emotions, VTDigger remains committed to providing the accurate, fact-based news Vermonters need to stay informed and engaged. At the heart of our mission is delivering reliable information to help you make sense of complex times.

VTDigger has become Vermont’s trusted daily news source because we prioritize in-community reporting, depth, transparency and integrity. In a landscape where sensationalism and misinformation often dominate, we’re here to provide clarity. We cover the issues that matter to Vermonters — from local government and rural healthcare to housing and climate resilience — while serving as a vital check on those in power, no matter the political party.

This year alone, our team has produced thousands of stories, including critical reporting on the impacts of the 2023 and 2024 floods, housing policy changes affecting Vermonters experiencing homelessness, and timely election coverage accessed by 135,000 Vermonters in a single week. We also translated our election guide into 14 languages including American Sign Language, ensuring every Vermonter could access the voter information they needed.

And while national events often capture attention, VTDigger is committed to following the real impact of new policies — set at the federal, state or local level — on the daily lives of Vermonters.

How you can help:

As an independent, non-partisan newsroom, VTDigger is funded by readers who believe in our mission. While we’ve grown to serve half a million monthly readers, only a small fraction of those readers help fund our work. The market challenges facing journalism today mean we still lack the capacity to pursue many stories you are asking for. Your support directly impacts our ability to investigate the 1,600 news tips we receive annually, expand coverage on critical local issues, and keep our journalism accessible to all Vermonters without a paywall.

Supporting VTDigger is about more than funding news — it’s about investing in a Vermont where information is available to everyone. As we look to 2025, we’re asking you to help us sustain and expand our impact. A donation now during our year-end drive helps us cover the stories that matter, hold local leaders accountable, and bring Vermonters the facts in a world of growing uncertainty. Every dollar strengthens VTDigger’s commitment to delivering the truth and preserving our democracy.

Thank you for considering this opportunity to help neighbors and support independent, non-partisan journalism in Vermont. With your help, VTDigger will continue to serve as Vermont’s trusted news source, delivering the information you need to navigate these times.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: A message from the CEO of VTDigger: Our post-election commitment to you.

As the holiday season approaches, it’s more important than ever to come together and support our Vermont neighbors. This year, VTDigger is proud to partner with the Vermont Foodbank to help provide meals for those facing hunger. Your support not only fuels the in-depth, fact-checked reporting you’ve come to rely on, but it also brings sustenance to Vermonters in need.

With your support, we aim to provide 5,000 meals through the Vermont Foodbank as we head into Thanksgiving. Every contribution will support two vital causes: sustaining fearless journalism and helping families put food on the table.

Here’s how your gift can make a difference:

• $25 provides 1 meal for a family in need and supports our reporting.
• $50 provides 5 meals and fuels in-depth investigative journalism.
• $100 provides 25 meals and helps us continue covering stories that matter.

In these uncertain times, VTDigger’s journalism plays a crucial role in raising awareness about the challenges Vermonters are facing, including rising rates of food insecurity. 

In the past year, the Vermont Foodbank provided 14.5 million pounds of food to Vermonters in need, up from 12.5 million pounds the previous year. Plus, they’ve responded to increased demands for potable water following major flooding events.

Your donation today will ensure that we continue reporting on the issues that matter while helping the Vermont Foodbank provide critical support to our community.

Donate now to be part of this effort to keep our communities fed and informed. Thank you for being a civic-minded, caring member of our community.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Help feed Vermont: Join VTDigger and the Vermont Foodbank today.

A recent study from UVM showed that Vermont has lost 75% of its journalism jobs over the past quarter century.¹ Newspapers have closed, and many that remain are woefully understaffed. We’re seeing what happens as a result: In the vacuum, misinformation spreads rampantly, sowing the seeds of division.

Today VTDigger is launching our Fall Member Drive with the goal of raising $75,000 over the next ten days to sustain our newsroom and rebuild Vermont journalism.

Without a robust news ecosystem, who would tell the story of the young family in Barre whose house flooded three times but were ineligible for a buyout? Or of the wrongfully accused man stuck sitting in prison, despite clear evidence of his innocence? Who would explain the 14% average property tax increase Vermonters are facing this year?

VTDigger is doing this kind of impactful journalism, but we need your help to counter the decline of Vermont’s press corps. You can help reverse the trend and rebuild the local news coverage that our state has lost.

We strive to tell Vermont’s full story for our readers. Already this year, VTDigger’s newsroom has made an impact with:

If you are already a recurring monthly supporter of VTDigger and you’d like to make a special gift during the Fall Member Drive, it will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000 by a generous Vermont donor.

Please join us this September by making a donation or becoming a monthly recurring member. VTDigger relies on readers to financially support our public service journalism. Without you, there would be no VTDigger. 

Thank you for your support and readership.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
Chief Executive Officer, VTDigger

1. Dan McLean. Labor Data Reveals Staggering Decline in Vermont Newspaper Employment Since 2000. Center for Community News / Community News Service University of Vermont, 28 May 2024, https://vtcommunitynews.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Newspaper-and-reporter-trends-Vermont-5.28.2024.pdf. ↩︎

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger launches Fall Member Drive.

As Vermont’s 2024 election year unfolds, the importance of accurate, independent Vermont journalism is critical. At VTDigger, our reporters are at the forefront of providing in-depth, nonpartisan coverage of pivotal moments, like Tuesday’s primary election, that can shape our state’s future.

Our coverage this week of the 2024 primary elections has offered Vermonters a clear lens through which to view the candidates, the issues and the stakes. From insightful analysis of key races to on-the-ground snapshots of voter sentiment to reporting timely results — we’ve been working hard (and staying up late) to keep you informed.

But to continue this coverage through November, VTDigger needs your help. As a nonprofit news organization, we rely on the support of our readers — people like you who believe in the power of truth, transparency, and accountability. 

Will you join us with a $15 contribution today in honor of our 15 years of public service for Vermont?

Why your donation matters:

• Non-partisan reporting: Your contribution ensures that we remain free from corporate or political influence, allowing us to report the news as it is — without fear or favor.
• In-depth coverage: With your support, we can continue to dive deep into the issues that matter most to Vermonters, providing the context and clarity that only original, local journalism can offer.
• Community impact: Your donation helps us keep our coverage freely accessible to everyone, ensuring that all Vermonters, regardless of their financial situation, can stay informed and participate in our civic institutions.

This election season, your support is more than a donation — it’s a vote for the future of independent journalism in Vermont. Every dollar you give empowers us to continue our mission of delivering the news you trust.

Make a difference today.

Thank you for standing with us and for believing in the power of a well-informed Vermont.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: There’s still one more vote you can cast this week.

VTDigger’s staff would like to express our gratitude to the 2,072 VTDigger members who contributed to our spring member drive!

Your support ensures our newsroom can produce news in pursuit of truth. We will be putting your dollars to work this year publishing election coverage, daily breaking news, investigative deep dives and stories of statewide significance from every corner of Vermont. A free and independent press is critical to our democracy. Thank you for supporting it. 

Here are some of our favorite messages we received during this member drive:

“I read VTDigger every morning and rely on its journalistic excellence to provide me with statewide reporting that matters. It clearly is THE source for reliable, well-researched stories.”

Rick Stoner, Shelburne

“VTDigger is one of my main news sources and I would actually be devastated if it went away.”

Diana, Johnson

“I deeply appreciate VTDigger’s coverage of Vermont history, politics, and current events. I want this kind of journalism to continue to exist.”

Morgan, Montpelier

“I believe that VTDigger reports the truth. I truly value VTDigger’s reporting and its opinion/letters columns.”

Monica Farrington, South Burlington

The work you do is critical. That’s why I give monthly, too.

Lucie, South Burlington

“I read your news every morning; I write for young readers, and CLiF is a great organization! Thanks for supporting their work.”

Liza, Dorset

Our spring members also sent 2,072 brand-new children’s books to Vermont children via the Children’s Literacy Foundation!

The saying goes, “today a reader, tomorrow a leader.” But it’s actually true that strong childhood literacy skills are linked to greater economic opportunity and that adult literary readers are much more likely to volunteer and vote. Often the books that children receive from CLiF are the first they’ve ever owned. We are thrilled that our members are opening doors and minds for young Vermonters. 

Our newsroom is proud to serve you and your community. Whether we’re chasing down your tips, following the money, connecting with new sources or poring over public records, it’s an honor to do this important work.

To Rick, Diana, Morgan, Monica, Lucia, Liza and all the rest of our community-minded members, thank you. We are deeply grateful to our members for investing in a stronger, more informed Vermont this spring.

Sincerely, 

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger spring members support local journalism and send 2,072 new books to Vermont children.

Dear reader,

We fell short of our goal of inspiring 3,000 people to support our free public service journalism this spring. That means we also fell short of our goal of sending 3,000 books to Vermont children at risk of growing up with low literacy skills. 

It’s not too late to support these two worthy causes with one donation in any amount. We wouldn’t be asking if it weren’t important. There are still 1,041 books waiting to be sent.

Why join?

VTDigger doesn’t have a big legacy donor base or an endowment. We don’t paywall our news or set a minimum donation amount to become a member. We simply try to do the right thing by making our trusted news accessible to all and supporting community causes, like children’s literacy and food security, that lift all boats. 

If that’s something you can get behind, please donate today and help us close the gap. 

With thanks,

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: There are still children’s books waiting to be sent ….

Dear reader,

Today is the last day of our spring member drive and we urgently need your help to close the gap. We’re only about halfway to our goal, but we have exciting news. Three Vermont donors are tripling every single dollar donated to VTDigger today!

VTDigger’s journalism is made possible by member donations. Will you triple your gift and send a brand-new children’s book to a Vermont child today?

Every dollar invested in local journalism produces a significant public benefit by motivating elected officials to work harder on behalf of constituents, rooting out waste and corruption and increasing civic engagement.

Today, every dollar you invest will be matched 3x. Your contribution in any amount will also send a new children’s book via Vermont’s Children’s Literacy Foundation. There are still 1,348 books waiting to be sent!

We rely on reader support and this spring, we need your help to keep VTDigger on the beat. Thank you for considering a gift that will go three times as far today – we can’t do this without you.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: LAST DAY: 3X your gift and send a children’s book.

Dear reader,

We’re in the midst of our critical spring member drive and I want you to know that every bit helps. Today is a special day to make your contribution because thanks to a generous group of donors from Bennington, Orleans and Chittenden counties, all gifts will be matched dollar for dollar up to $10,000.

Trusted news is hard to put a price on, but if you can pitch in $25, $75 or even $150 today, your gift up to $500 will be doubled. Make a monthly sustaining gift, and it will be matched for the first 12 months. Plus you’ll send a brand-new book to a Vermont child. 

When you support VTDigger, you make possible award-winning, original journalism for Vermont. Whether we’re analyzing Statehouse policy or telling the story of a family-owned business, our reporters are making Vermont a more informed and connected place to live.

VTDigger spends 80% of its budget on people and 20% for such expenses as public records request fees, mileage to get to assignments, computers, cell phones, and a small office space. 

There’s no fat in the budget; every member donation goes directly into fulfilling the mission of producing rigorous journalism for Vermont. You can become a member at any level today and double your impact.

Every penny counts, especially as news publishers across the country and the state struggle. We support other local Vermont newspapers by letting them republish any of our content free of charge, but VTDigger is not immune to the economic challenges that all publishers are facing.

Please join us and do your part to ensure our public service journalism continues. Your one-time gift will be matched and all monthly recurring donations will be matched for the first year (up to $500). Plus you’ll send a brand-new book to a Vermont child.

Thank you for considering a special gift today.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Group of donors puts up $10K match for VTDigger spring member drive.

I remember with such fondness the first book that had an impression on me, it was Richard Scarry’s “Best Word Book Ever” and as a toddler, I loved, to the point of memorization and perhaps the annoyance of my parents, the two-page spread on birds. A few years later, my obsession turned to “Charlotte’s Web,” and then to the “Choose Your Own Adventure” series. 

There are still moments, four decades later, where those early pages show up in my life, such as the way birdwatching saved me from debilitating boredom during the pandemic lockdown; how exposure to the complicated rhythm of life and death has helped me process grief, and how the sense of possibility I glean from knowing there are multiple paths one can take has helped me break free from times I’ve felt stuck.

Together, we have the opportunity to give the gift of books to 3,000 young readers during our Spring Member Drive.

VTDigger is partnering with Vermont’s Children’s Literacy Foundation to send one new book for every member contribution we receive.

Literacy and a love of reading are gifts we can give that will last a lifetime. Literacy is critical for so many reasons, but right now, what’s on my mind is how important education and information are to a functioning democracy. We need readers of all ages, curious and hungry for knowledge, to build our state and nation’s future, using facts, truth, and sound reasoning and research when they head to the polls.

When you support VTDigger during this member drive, you’re not only supporting an informed electorate by standing up independent journalism, you’re supporting the next generation of voters and elected officials. Our future leaders will be better off for being able to read, comprehend and educate themselves, all of which requires being able to access the world of written knowledge.

Thank you for making local journalism possible — and thank you for putting a brand-new book on the shelf of a young Vermonter this Spring.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger Spring Drive launches with goal to send 3,000 children’s books.

American historian and New Yorker staff writer Jill Lepore recently appeared on Preet Bharara’s podcast, “Stay Tuned.”

After listening to an hour of discussion about the state of our democracy — and the threats facing it — I was feeling that sense of dejection that comes with thinking about the Civil War, insurrection attempts and what it all means for the times in which we live.

Toward the end of the podcast, Bharara asked Lepore to name one thing she is optimistic about. After giving a nod to the good work being done by local and state governments, she added, “we’re on the edge of a resurgence of local news, and new attention and new humility on the part of the national news media around what local really means.”

“I happen to be a fan, for instance, of the Vermont Digger,” Lepore said, describing the news outlet to her national audience. “I think they do tremendous reporting on almost no money.”

She said it perfectly. When friends and family ask me how things are at VTDigger, I struggle to sum up all that we have in the works. There’s so much to say, I often don’t know where to start (and when to stop talking). Our reporters not only cover breaking news such as natural disasters and key developments in state and local government, they’re simultaneously working on heavily researched, long-term investigative pieces. They cover policy changes and take the time to show how those policies affect real people. Our newsroom leadership makes tough calls each day on what we can cover given the resources we have. They do it expertly, with the utmost thoughtfulness, to tell important stories and best serve our readers. And our small revenue and operations team does the work of departments twice their size, standing up the many systems and processes it takes to run a digital news organization that is also a not-for-profit, as well as the complex technology, tracking and accounting tasks that come with this.

When I look at organizations in other industries with similar staffing levels, their budgets are often much larger. The “tremendous reporting” we’re able to do on “almost no money” is nothing short of remarkable. 

I like to dream about what VTDigger could do if even more readers supported our work. We could investigate more news tips, cover more stories, interview more people and host more events. We could help train more interns and file more public records requests. We could host a democracy and ideas festival, news trivia nights, and convene our community to talk about issues such as housing, climate and public safety.

But we need financial support to continue the level of coverage Vermonters need and deserve, let alone expand our coverage.

While we didn’t quite meet our Annual Fund Drive goal, it’s not too late to close the gap and support VTDigger’s journalism so the stories you need to read get reported and published. Every donation we receive helps ensure VTDigger can continue to produce the news you rely on — and the bright future we envision.

In Bharara’s podcast, you could hear the optimism in Lepore’s voice when she talked about VTDigger and the resurgence of local journalism. “I think there are news organizations like that all over the country that are doing fantastic and exciting things,” she said.

I know her words to be true. Thanks to donations from readers like you, there is cause for optimism during difficult times. VTDigger keeps Vermont connected, holds government to account and gives readers tools to participate in our democracy.

No one can predict tomorrow, but historians can help us connect the present to the past, and what that could mean for the future. As we head into 2024, knowing that VTDigger is held up as a beacon of hope when our democracy feels threatened is encouraging. I took it as prescience when Lepore said, “And I think they’re on the edge of something great.”

Please help further our critical mission by donating today. All gifts are still being tripled by a group of generous donors and today you’ll send fifteen meals to the Vermont Foodbank.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: “Tremendous reporting on almost no money.”.

Dear reader,

VTDigger stands for truth and transparency. We would not be asking for your support if we did not need it. Today is the last day to join our year-end member drive and have your gift tripled by four Vermont donors. 

Please join us before the clock strikes midnight and help us raise the funds needed to continue serving Vermont. It’s not too late to donate online or send a check to the address on our donate page. All gifts up to $500 will be tripled by a group of generous donors. Can you help us raise the last 14 percent?

We are so close! Nearly three thousand readers have stepped up to join our member drive, but we know this represents only a small fraction of those who benefit from our journalism. If you can, please chip in. No gift is too big or too small.

Today, every dollar you invest up to $500 will be tripled. Your contribution will send five meals to Vermonters facing hunger this winter, filling an urgent need. And, on top of that, you’ll be entered into our member raffle.

Thank you for considering a year-end gift to your local newsroom.

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch,

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: 14 percent left to go. Today is the last day to join and triple your donation.

Dear reader,

I hope that VTDigger has provided news of value to you this year. Whether it was our flood coverage, an uplifting feature or a deep investigative dive, our reporters have worked tirelessly for the people of our Green Mountain state.

We are over halfway to our member drive goal! If you can, please contribute in one of the following ways. It’s easy to give and there is no minimum amount required to become a VTDigger member.

Your gift will send 5 meals to the Vermont Foodbank and you’ll be entered into our member raffle with gift bundles from beloved Vermont establishments like Ursa Major, Billings Farm and Hotel Vermont.

Please join us now and help us keep this important resource accessible to all. To join the drive, you can:

• Donate securely online with a credit card, PayPal or set up an ACH transfer directly from your bank account.
• Write a check and mail it to: VTDigger, P.O. Box 1374, Montpelier, VT 05601
• Call our membership manager, Florencio Terra, at 802-595-6788 to process your donation over the phone.

Remember, we only have until December 31 to reach our goal and every donation helps. All gifts will send 5 meals to the Vermont Foodbank and enter you in our member raffle.

Thank you so much for considering a contribution to our member-supported journalism.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch
CEO

Read the story on VTDigger here: Help spread the news this holiday season.

Dear reader, 

December is upon us and that means we only have a few weeks left to raise critical funds for our nonprofit newsroom before the end of the year. In order to stay on track, we need 100 readers to step up with a contribution today. 

Will you join us during our annual fund drive? If you’ve never supported Digger, we’d like to invite you to start with a suggested donation of $120 (or $10 per month). 

VTDigger is people. Our budget is mostly salaries. That means when you make a donation to VTDigger, your dollars go straight toward keeping journalists on our payroll.

Across the county, local news is disappearing. The cost to the public is immense. When local news publishers are forced to close communities see less voting and community engagement, and more political polarization and misinformation.

Vermont has lost over 100 reporting jobs since 1990. But VTDigger is a stronghold of local news. Most news publishers require paid subscriptions, but VTDigger does not because we believe no one should be prevented from accessing important information. 

VTDigger intends to continue providing accessible, high quality journalism for Vermont — but we need your help. Please join our end-of-year member drive today.

Thank you for your readership and support,

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: 100 members needed today.

Dear Reader,

It’s Giving Tuesday and VTDigger is participating in NewsMatch, a collaborative fundraising campaign to support independent, nonprofit journalism across the country. 

National journalism foundations, including the Knight Foundation and the Democracy Fund, are joining generous friends of VTDigger to match all gifts received today.

Today is a big day for public service journalism. In past years, hundreds of thousands of Americans have been inspired to support nonprofit news for the first time during NewsMatch because of this match opportunity.

Will you join them by donating to VTDigger? Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar up to $500. 

This year, VTDigger needs to raise $550,000 to sustain our public service reporting. Today, we can make a huge dent in that number.

NewsMatch and our local supporters have put up $25,000 in matching funds for today only! Can you help us make the most of this incredible opportunity? Donate now. 

VTDigger produces rigorous, award-winning journalism for Vermont without fear or favor. Our reporters and editors are curious, dedicated and incredibly hardworking. We are powered by member support. 

If you can make a contribution today, you’ll be joining a movement of hundreds of thousands of Americans who are stepping up to support local news through NewsMatch on Giving Tuesday. And we would be so grateful.

Since joining VTDigger, I’ve been inspired by our newsroom and our community of members. I hope today’s match will galvanize broad support for this vital work because Vermont needs VTDigger, and VTDigger needs you. 

Thank you for your support, 

Sky Barsch

CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: This Giving Tuesday, double your impact with NewsMatch.

Dear reader,

The sentiment of Thanksgiving — to be grateful for our blessings — for me extends beyond counting the things we have, material and even intangible. It goes to how we show up in the world — at home, at work, in the grocery checkout line. There’s a phrase that strongly resonates with me, which is the “spirit of generosity.” It goes further than gratitude. It embodies goodwill, putting good energy into the world and paying it forward, and doing these things even when it would be easier not to. It’s a sentiment that I’ve seen again and again in my time so far at VTDigger.

VTDigger exists because of our generous readers who are there for us year in and year out. There is no backup pot of money, no rainy-day fund to draw on when we need extra resources to deploy reporters around the state in an emergency like this summer’s flooding. Every story you read, every newsletter in your inbox, every photograph we shoot and every event we host is thanks to the people like you who believe in our work, and step up to support it. 

Because of all this, at VTDigger, we’re able to do things differently. You give our journalists the resources so that they have the time and tools they need to dive deeply into weighty issues, and they intensely care about producing the best possible journalism. What that means in practice is that we can report on housing insecurity, climate crisis and climate resiliency and substance use disorder and recovery. This year alone, our work helped free a wrongly held man from prison and speed up long-delayed unemployment assistance for flooded out small business owners, and spurred state officials to make legislators’ financial disclosures more transparent and accessible. All of this is thanks to your support.

Some of that support comes in through advertising by Vermont businesses who have made a conscious decision to spend their marketing dollars supporting independent journalism instead of a Silicon Valley algorithm. 

Some of it comes through foundations, where the generous fundholders and staff advisors have said: Yes, we believe Vermont deserves access to free and fair news coverage so people have the information they need to make informed decisions about their lives. 

Some of it comes through grantmakers who realize that the matters they most care about — whether education, environment or economic opportunity — need a viable press so the public understands the problems, the stakeholders and the solutions. 

And a lot of it comes from the monthly donations of our members, who contribute anywhere from $5 a month to tens of thousands of dollars per year. All of it goes directly into what it takes to bring you the news — no corporate offices or shareholders get a cut.

VTDigger exists because our team does the work, every day. They read news tips, make phone calls, attend public meetings, file public records requests, write and rewrite, edit and juggle deadlines. They create graphics, write photo captions, compile email newsletters and update your subscription preferences. They open the mail and balance the books, set up our computers and make sure our health insurance forms are correct. They serve on our board, they share our work with members, they post words of encouragement on our internal message board. They work early and late, they bring up ways our organization can improve, and they advocate for our readers.

When Anne Galloway followed her vision to found VTDigger, she rightly surmised that the rest of us would join on to make it possible. Somewhere along the way, you decided that statewide, independent journalism is worth it — for our democracy, for our sense of community, for a way to chronicle current events so future generations understand the choices we made and why. And you contributed — as a team member, as a member or as a reader. You didn’t have to, but you did. You gave to something greater than yourself.

That is precisely the spirit of generosity that fills my heart this Thanksgiving, eight months into the privilege of leading this organization. To each of you who makes VTDigger possible, your commitment resonates deeply. As we reflect on the impact of independent journalism, I invite you to consider deepening your connection to this community. Thank you for giving, and warmest wishes for a joyful Thanksgiving.

With appreciation,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Your generosity is on my mind this Thanksgiving.

Dear reader,

It’s a lot harder for Vermonters to afford to eat these days. When pandemic-era government food assistance ended earlier this year, the impact on many Vermont families was devastating. Meanwhile, inflation, a tight housing market and the floods have made financial matters worse.

Lend a helping hand to your neighbors by giving the gift of facts and food. There is only one day left to help send 8,000 meals to the Vermont Foodbank by Thanksgiving. Will you join us?

In a VTDigger commentary published earlier this month, John Sayles of the Vermont Foodbank and Anore Horton of Hunger Free Vermont called attention to the 40% increase in national food insecurity in the last year. Last year was also the largest-ever one-year increase in U.S. poverty. They wrote, “when neighbors are struggling, we must act.” 

It’s not too late to send 5 meals to the Foodbank before Thanksgiving and ensure that VTDigger continues to provide a space for dialogue about the issues affecting our communities.

Thank you for considering a gift to our critical annual fund drive and lending a hand to neighbors facing hunger.

With appreciation,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: One more day to send 8,000 meals to the Vermont Foodbank.

Dear reader, 

Two in five Vermonters have experienced food insecurity this year, and with winter setting in, it’s critical to support our neighbors facing hunger. We are close to reaching our goal of sending 8,000 meals to the Vermont Foodbank by Thanksgiving. 

Will you pitch in this holiday season? Each contribution during our annual fund drive will send 5 meals to the Foodbank and sustain our reliable, fact-based news.

VTDigger is proud to provide a valuable public service for Vermont. Every day of the year, our reporters are out in the community, attending meetings, poring over records and asking questions on your behalf.

But while our news is free to consume, it’s not free to produce. This season, please help us sustain our news operation and you’ll be supporting another great cause at the same time. 

Give today and your gift will also send 5 meals to the Vermont Foodbank to combat rising hunger this winter. We still need 840 more people to pitch in to reach our Thanksgiving goal. Will you join us?

Thank you for your consideration and loyal readership.

In pursuit of truth,

Sky Barsch
CEO, VTDigger

Read the story on VTDigger here: Only 3 more days! Help send 8,000 meals to Vermonters.

Dear reader,

VTDigger is committed to Vermont communities. Our timely local and state news is an essential public service that hundreds of thousands of Vermonters count on each day. But as much as everyone needs reliable information, what many Vermonters truly need is food on their table.

2023 was a difficult financial year for VTDigger for a number of reasons, including having to move our offices due to flood damage. If you value our journalism, please consider becoming a member today. 

Your contribution will not only support VTDigger, but also provide 5 meals for Vermonters facing hunger. Will you join us?

Whether it’s our daily news, comprehensive election coverage, breaking stories from across state or deep investigative dives, VTDigger covers Vermont news you can’t find anywhere else.

We care about Vermonters’ stories and are dedicated to the issues that affect our communities. Right now, VTDigger is in need of local support and two in five Vermont residents are facing food insecurity.

Our goal is for 1,600 VTDigger readers to join us so we can send 8,000 meals to the Vermont Foodbank by Thanksgiving. Our members make it all possible. Please join us today.

Your support keeps our reporting free for all to access. But whether or not you can donate, we’re honored to be at your service. It’s our mission to keep Vermonters informed. Thanks for trusting us to do that.

With appreciation,

Sky Barsch
CEO

Read the story on VTDigger here: Vermont needs facts and food; you can give both.

Dear reader,

I hope this note finds you in the quietude and coziness of November in Vermont. I love this time of year because the moody weather forces us to slow down (in theory, at least. The news never stops!).

For VTDigger, it’s also a time in which we are working hard to plan for 2024 and ensure we are reporting on the issues that matter most to you. 

But we want to be direct: Due to a number of factors, 2023 was a difficult financial year for us, and we need your help to continue the level of coverage you’ve come to expect from VTDigger. Our members make our work possible. Will you please become a member by donating today?

We have faced a number of unanticipated costs this year, including the vast quantity of resources we devoted to covering this summer’s devastating flooding (which also damaged our office, leading to a disruptive physical move). If you’re in a position to support VTDigger, we need your help now more than ever. 

We’re asking our readers to help fund our work — which we make available without a paywall. Currently, only about 20% of our email subscribers are supporting members. If you rely on our journalism for your profession, to make voting decisions, to hold your elected officials accountable or to stay connected to your neighbors, we hope you will help support it.

When you give to VTDigger, your gift will not only help sustain our news operation, it will also send five meals to the Vermont Foodbank for Vermonters facing hunger this holiday season.

Our goal is to send 8,000 meals from 1,600 members by Thanksgiving Day. Will you join us?

Thank you for your trust and readership. And thank you for considering a gift to VTDigger this year during our critical annual fund drive. 

Sincerely,

Sky Barsch
CEO

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger needs your support this season.

Readers and business partners have asked for years if VTDigger would add classified listings for employment opportunities. Thanks to our refreshed website and the backend technical abilities of our new platform, we’re excited to share our new jobs board.

VTDigger’s jobs board features remote, hybrid and in-person careers from Vermont employers and beyond. Readers can quickly discover posts by job title in the main feed and browse salary, benefits and job details within each listing. We’ve also included links to each business and buttons that click through to apply.

For employers interested in posting a job, we built an easy-to-use submission form. As we are launching this new service, we will manually post the listing to our website on your behalf, communicating with you every step of the way and taking the guesswork out of learning another platform. Our goal is to fully automate the system once we fine tune the platform based on your feedback.

Early pricing for job postings is $99 for a regular listing for 30 days and $149 for a featured listing for 30 days. Featured listings include priority placement in the job feed and mention in our Daily Digger email newsletter on the first day of the listing. Some 29,000 people subscribe to Daily Digger, which is delivered Mondays through Saturdays.

Like every aspect of our website, we look forward to making improvements to our jobs board based on reader engagement and usability. If you have feedback or questions, please email contact@vtdigger.org with “Jobs board” in the subject line. While we cannot respond to every note, we read them all, and will do our best to answer as many questions as possible.

As a last note, we would like to shout out and thank our amazing business partners that submitted job opportunities for our launch. Our goal is to provide a service that’s useful to employers and job seekers alike.

Read the story on VTDigger here: VTDigger launches new jobs board.

Dear Reader,

We are $14,260 away from reaching our fall membership goal by midnight.

Please help VTDigger continue to serve Vermonters through the end of the year with a gift today and your contribution will be doubled by three generous donors.

During this member drive, VTDigger journalists have been sharing their stories with you. These accounts demonstrate the level of personal and professional commitment that our reporters and editors bring to their jobs every single day.

Whether it’s covering catastrophic breaking news events like this summer’s floods, investigating complex issues such as housing and healthcare, or bringing public attention to the story of a wrongly imprisoned man — and him being released as a result — the proof is in the pudding. VTDigger has an impact on the lives of Vermonters.

When you give to VTDigger, every dollar is invested into making our journalism possible. We don’t answer to corporate offices or stockholder interests: we’re here for you. But we need your help, and with it, we can end this membership drive today as a success. Please consider a gift to support the news you rely on.

Your contribution up to $500 will be matched.

Your support keeps our reporting free for all to access. But whether or not you can donate, we’re honored to be at your service. It’s our mission to keep Vermonters informed. Thanks for trusting us to do that.

With gratitude,

Sky Barsch
CEO

Read the story on VTDigger here: Last day! Less than $15K left to go.