Wow! Last edition, I conveyed to readers these words: “We need your feedback on an important issue for Macon Sense.” And you responded. And, you continue to respond, proving that this community newspaper is much wanted and needed in Macon County.
Last Thursday, Randy Ashurst, who we featured in our Oct. 26, 2023, edition of Macon Sense, invited us on the “Tell It and Sell It” radio program at 1050 AM. Randy was gracious enough to let us share our story and our needs. In case you did not hear the show, here is a recap of what I, along with Managing Editor Deena Bouknight, shared with listeners. I also included this information in our last edition.
Nineteen months ago, we revived the idea of a free newspaper in Macon County by launching Macon Sense, after the closure of The Macon County News. Our goal was simple: offer a community newspaper informed by Biblical values and a strong desire to provide objective news, helpful information, and unapologetic faith-based content.
The welcome we received from readers and local businesses was warm and encouraging. Your ongoing feedback and gratitude, expressed through emails, cards, donations, and countless encounters, has been greatly appreciated, and we thank you for it. We, like many of you, recognize the need for local media in order to protect and preserve the heritage and faith found in Macon County.
The issue we face
To build a new community newspaper, we had to operate on an extremely lean budget. Facilities were donated, our staff made personal and financial sacrifices, and we received initial donations that helped us launch the paper, while we garnered the support of our community.
For nearly two years, we have primarily relied on advertising revenue and early investments made by Kavod Family Ministries, the parent company and nonprofit of the Macon Sense newspaper. While our advertising team has done an incredible job securing the trust and support of local businesses, we now need to find additional funding to cover the operational costs and losses that we predicted from the very beginning.
Universally, the gap between ad sales and general expenses is a common challenge for community papers. Most papers address this challenge by charging readers or implementing online subscriptions and paywalls. While this is one option for us, we wish to keep our newspaper accessible to everyone at no cost.
As a Christian publisher and on behalf of Kavod Family, we believe Christians and the local church are called to communicate a Godly worldview to the neighbors around them. Local community newspapers have historically been part of the American bulwark God uses to build faith and strengthen family values in a culture. That is the role we see for Macon Sense. Therefore, while it is our desire this paper remain free to everyone, we hope to fill the expense loss through the support of donors that agree with and believe in the mission of Macon Sense.
So, we ask: Will our loyal readers consider becoming monthly donors, so that Macon County can continue to benefit from a faith-based, family-centered community newspaper?
The plan forward
From the beginning, we understood that ad revenue alone would not sustain this paper. Our plan has always included seeking grants and donor support to cover operational losses.
Please help us gauge the level of support from our readers by completing a simple survey. The survey is available here, and through a QR code on the front page of the printed paper and below.
To clarify, we distribute approximately 8,000 papers every two weeks. If 2,000 readers each donate around $20 a year, or if 1,000 readers contribute $5 a month (which totals $60 a year), we would be able to close our funding gap and deliver a free newspaper. So, for the price of a cup of Starbucks coffee, you can help Macon Sense preserve the culture and faith of Macon County.
To make a contribution, click here.
Your contributions are 100% tax-deductible donations and will support a nonprofit ministry dedicated to serving our local residents, families, and community.
Thank you in advance,
Casey Wilson and the Macon Sense Team