Hi there,

Our fundraising campaign is coming to a close today. Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far. Within the last two weeks, you’ve helped us raise over $2,400!

We’re still just 7 monthly supporters away from our goal. If you have the means, will you join us before our campaign ends at midnight?

Last week, I was in Toronto to attend the Digital Publishing Awards. I’m pleased to share that I received the Emerging Excellence Award which recognizes “an individual whose early work in Canadian digital publishing shows the highest degree of craft and promise.”

Lela Savic, founder of Montreal-based La Converse, was one of the judges for my category. She says what stood out to her about my work was my commitment to community.

I really am honoured to receive this award, in part because I think independent, community-led journalism deserves to be recognized. What we’re doing at The Discourse — telling stories from the ground-up, listening deeply to community voices and highlighting the things that make our communities great — is important because it’s shifting the way journalism is done. 

You, our readers and supporters, are a huge reason why we’re able to do this work and continue to innovate and experiment so that the stories we tell serve the community in the best possible ways. This award is yours as much as mine. Thank you!

In addition to the community movements we’ve talked about in the past couple of weeks, we’re excited to have answered your recent questions about our home, like:

• What’s happening with the old Howard Johnson hotel site in Nanaimo? 

• How did one historian’s interpretation of Thomas Quamtany’s story shape the telling of an important moment in Cowichan’s colonial history?

• What’s the future of the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market coupon program?

As a reader-supported publication, we rely on your recurring support to expand our capacity and continue serving our communities. When you sign up as a monthly or yearly supporter, this helps us better budget for months to come, and work toward sustainability. This is why — if you have the means — we ask you to consider a monthly or yearly contribution. 

Of course, every dollar counts. We’re so grateful to have all of your support — whether that is financial, or if you’ve shared The Discourse with someone else. 

It’s truly thanks to our readers that we’ve been able to expand from the Cowichan Valley to Nanaimo, and now to the Comox Valley. Each of these communities trusts us to tell their stories. Thank you for your trust.