Neighbors, you have already done something remarkable. Thanks to 317 generous readers, we’ve raised $127,150, powering independent, fact-driven reporting on Wayland’s boards, schools, neighborhoods, and the unsung heroes who shape our community. Your donations have placed dedicated student interns in crucial School Committee meetings and secured veteran layout artist Alice Waugh to deliver a more visually engaging paper.
Yet, sustaining local journalism is like cultivating a garden — it needs continuous nurturing, not occasional watering. Our ability to keep this vital service free to every resident depends on you. Without at least 1,000 neighbors stepping up with a minimum donation of $240 each, The Wayland Post simply cannot sustain itself.
While volunteers play a critical role in supporting our mission, relying solely on volunteers is not sustainable for the long-term health and growth of our publication. Professional, independent journalism demands skilled, experienced people who dedicate significant time and expertise to research, reporting, editing, and production. Only by hiring qualified professionals can we consistently deliver high-quality journalism that thoroughly informs and genuinely benefits our community.
Why do we need to pay for quality journalism? It demands skilled journalists who can research thoroughly, ask tough questions, and deliver the facts without compromise on tight deadlines. These professionals, including editors, layout specialists and audio engineers, command fair salaries because their expertise directly shapes the transparency and integrity of our local governance.
Expenses:
Staff salaries and professional fees
(~40%):
- Veteran journalists and editors
- Layout specialist
- Ad manager
Printing and Mailing (~40%)
- U.S. Postal Service direct mail fees
- Bimonthly printing fees
Internship Program and Mentorship Costs (~5%):
- Stipends or expenses for interns
- Educational materials and training resources
Technical and Equipment Expenses
(~5%):
- Website and digital infrastructure
- Software subscriptions (layout/design tools, CRM)
Administrative and Operational Costs (~5%):
- Fundraising administration
- Financial reporting and transparency measures
- Miscellaneous overhead (office supplies, utilities)
Reserve Fund and Future Growth
Initiatives (~5%):
- Contingency for unforeseen expenses
- Planning and investment for long-term sustainability
Advertising can significantly supplement our budget, but only if Wayland residents make it a standard practice to encourage local businesses they frequent to advertise. Tell your favorite restaurants, local shops, and service providers in Wayland and surrounding towns about the visibility and community goodwill advertising in the Wayland Post can create. When you patronize advertisers, mention that you saw their ad here — make businesses aware that their advertising works and their support matters to you.
Here’s how your direct contributions keep Wayland informed:
Greenways Member ($120) — Your basic support keeps journalism accessible to everyone.
Great Meadows Community Member ($240) — Double your commitment, significantly amplifying our reach.
Pine Brook Advocate ($480) — Ensures deeper investigative coverage.
Heard Pond Supporting Member ($720) — Expands educational opportunities for our interns.
Dudley Pond Sustaining Member ($1,200) — Powers long-term planning and critical infrastructure.
Why give locally?
Transparency —Every dollar spent is openly documented in our annual public report.
No paywall, ever —Your neighbors, from students to seniors, access crucial local news because you invest.
Mentoring tomorrow’s journalists —Contributions directly train interns Tesse Alongi, Katharine Tan, Genevieve Morrison, and Ellie Brogan, nurturing the next generation of truth-seekers.
Empowering town meetings —Informed residents shape wiser decisions, healthier budgets, and stronger community bonds.
Act now — three simple ways to donate:
- Scan the QR code below to securely set up a recurring contribution.
- Visit waylandpost.org/donate and choose your level.
- Volunteer your skills — email editor@waylandpost.org. Photographers, coders, data analysts, and proofreaders are urgently needed.
Realize that the Wayland Post is your only source of local news, so your dollars make a meaningful impact right here at home.
Say yes today and support local journalism, and together we’ll illuminate a brighter future for Wayland. Thank you for believing in, sharing and supporting community-powered journalism.
