The Swellesley Report is a local news business that we’ve built and run for two decades — and it’s our full-time job.
This Giving Tuesday (Dec. 5), we’re asking for your support to help sustain this work.
Every day, we work to bring you reliable, community-centered reporting on everything from local government decisions to school news, arts and culture, and the stories that define Wellesley. Most-read coverage this year has included that on housing developments (“Emotions run high at Wellesley board meeting over future housing on MassBay property”) , restaurant and other business openings (“Karma: Good things come to those who waited”)and closings (“E.A. Davis in Church Square has closed its doors after 120 years”) , and slices of life about your neighbors (“Operation Band of Brothers: Wellesley siblings ready for Boston Marathon debuts” and “Quite a Shock: Wellesley woman wins on Wheel of Fortune”).
Thanks to our new partnership with the nonprofit Tiny News Collective, donations to Swellesley — including those made through donor-advised funds — are now tax-deductible.
Like many independent newsrooms, we operate on a mix of ad revenue, grants, and reader contributions. While many have become accustomed to accessing news for free, please know that your donations help cover the many costs involved in running our local news site:
• Web hosting and newsletter distribution tools
• Tech support
• Access to real estate data and public records
• And yes — basics like health insurance
We’re committed to growing our coverage, too. We take part regularly in local media information sharing sessions, including the New England Newsrooms meeting and Google News Initiative, and are frequently approached by those looking to launch news startups in their communities. We’re active in town activities, from the Annual Wellesley Veterans Parade to Babson College’s student club/organization resource fair to the new “We Are Wellesley” exhibit.
After being selected as one of the first local news outlets to partner with the Boston University Newsroom program last spring, we were invited back this fall, pairing us with three student journalists to expand reporting for the community. And this summer, we welcomed student interns thanks to generous support from Truly’s.
We also rely on community content contributors throughout the year who share news tips and share photos.
If you value having a trusted, independent source of Wellesley news, we hope you’ll consider supporting us this Giving Tuesday.
Thank you,
Bob & Deborah
