3-minute read
Every November, LkldNow joins hundreds of independent, nonprofit newsrooms across the country in NewsMatch — a national campaign that doubles your donations to strengthen local journalism.
Why does it matter?
Local news is vital civic infrastructure; despite that, the US continues to lose its sources of local news at an alarming rate. Local digital news sites like LkldNow are working to fill the need. LkldNow keeps over 80,000 Lakelanders informed each month, covering city hall, Lakeland’s growth and development, and local happenings.
When local news disappears, communities pay the price: loss of community connection, lower voter turnout and fewer watchdogs ensuring local government transparency.
LkldNow was built to serve the information needs of Lakelanders. We’re nonprofit and free for everyone — no paywall, no corporate owners, no opinions, no clickbait. Keeping LkldNow free means we rely on the voluntary support of our community and readers like you.
The cost of local news
Our reporters are part of the community. They show up to city meetings, talk to residents, and tell the stories of our city and its people. This year, our coverage helped illuminate growth and housing challenges, prepared residents to vote in the city election, highlighted new local businesses and kept a spotlight on Hurricane Milton recovery efforts.
Doing this work takes people, time and resources. Maintaining the website and our small staff will cost roughly $250,000, following cutbacks earlier this year. To return to four full-time members in 2026 will cost roughly $300,000. One-third of our operating funds comes from donors, most of whom give $100 for the year. However, of our over 80,000 monthly readers, only 1% donate. If 2% of our readers donated $10 per month, we’d meet our goal for the year.
With more funding, we could do so much more — more reporting on local government including school board and county commission; more stories on our local economy and the cost of living, more on what’s new or coming to your neighborhood; more on the people and places that make Lakeland unique. Your donations help fund every story we publish.
Double the impact
From now through December 31, every dollar you give to LkldNow will be matched by national funders and local partners, turning our $50,000 campaign goal into $100,000 to fund our news operation. It’s the once-a-year chance to make your support go twice as far to sustain the local news relied on by Lakelanders.
If you are a new donor and you make a monthly recurring donation, NewsMatch will match the full year’s value, turning $10 a month into $240 for local news.
Thank you to the Bell-Barnett Family Fund at GiveWell Community Foundation and Bradley Lunz for providing local matches.
We know there is a lot of need in our community and many causes worthy of your support. We also know local news is key to community understanding. If you can give and you believe Lakeland deserves trusted, independent local news, this is the moment to act. Donate now through the end of the year, and your gift will be doubled through NewsMatch. Together, we can keep LkldNow ‘always local and always free.’
Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting community-powered journalism.
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.