Since the spring, we have been trying to inform readers and the community that The Woodford Sun’s new nonprofit status is the only viable vehicle for it to exist as a community newspaper.
You will read stories in this special section about the history of the Sun, why we chose the nonprofit route, the Sun’s new Advisory Committee, which is made up of a group of Woodford Countians who have come together to advise and work on the transition from a family-owned paper to a nonprofit, and how we are now depending on two new critical streams of revenue to remain in business—grants and donations.
We have shared our financial information with the IRS, the Kentucky Department of Revenue and in various stories and columns over the last year. To put it bluntly – the paper has lost, on average, $60,000 a year since 2020.
The Sun was able to stay afloat via a federal COVID loan obtained prior to the untimely passing of the Sun’s former publisher, Whit Chandler, and infusions of capital from former publisher Ben Chandler. In addition, the decision not to fill two vacancies also increased the paper’s revenue. And now, under its nonprofit status and initial fundraising drive, the Sun is getting close to turning the corner.
The Sun has already succeeded in obtaining grants to fund its website and provide in-depth journalism training to me as a community reporter. It has also raised approximately $60,000 since March in a targeted, low-profile fundraising campaign that has been primarily handled by its Advisory Committee.
With this edition of the Sun and the unveiling of our new website, we are now expressly and actively asking you to consider making a donation, or regular donations, to keep our newspaper in operation.
Donating is simple and tax-deductible. And any amount is welcome.
You can send or drop off a check made payable to the “Woodford Sun Community Newspaper” at our office at 184 S. Main Street, Versailles, KY 40383, or click on the “Donate” button on the paper’s new website, woodfordsun.com.
Again, any amount, no matter how small, will be welcomed with open arms, a bright smile and a hearty thank-you.
We are asking you to invest in our community. As Ben says in his front-page story this week, the paper now belongs to the entire community, which means you.
The Woodford Sun has been the “eyes, ears and mouth” of Woodford County since 1869. This county’s story has been told for 157 years, and we want to keep telling it. We want to keep you informed of all parts of local government; we want to share the stories of our people, our community organizations and our community events; we want to make sure you know what is happening in our schools, from high school sports to the debates at school board meetings; and we want to be here with an independent, nonpartisan, unbiased and fair voice well into the future.
If you have any questions about the Sun or how it operates, or if you want to come down and meet in person and get a tour of our offices, email or call me. We would love to share our passion with you. You can reach me during office hours, Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 859-873-3211 or email anytime at scott@woodfordsun.com.
The Chandler family has gifted the Sun to the community. The Sun needs the community to keep us going.
Please, please consider making a donation to keep your newspaper working for you and our community.
The Sun is depending on the generosity of its readers
