Funds to Keep Newspaper Publishing
Donation protected
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
A strong, independent and objective news voice is critical for Compton, Calif., as the City strives to redefine its image while closely monitoring the workings of city government and business. Compton is a municipality south of downtown Los Angeles of slightly more than 100,000 residents; a city that had been void of a newspaper before the emergence of the Compton Herald in 2013. The Herald serves as an important objective voice providing general coverage of important issues that impact the public to up-close-and-personal investigative stories of public officials. The Herald also strives to publish the profiles and features of local interest that serve to re-define a city beset by previous images that have characterized Compton as a haven of crime and violence. But Compton in 2015 is a city on the move and the Herald reflects this, balancing the city's narrative, shaping and augmenting its brand.
The Herald also endeavors to bridge a cultural challenge in the community. The city is comprised largely of two ethnic groups --- African Americans and Latino Americans. The latter can be sub-divided into English-speaking and Spanish-language-only residents. The Herald plans to launch a Spanish tabloid insert titled Compton Heraldo, which will carry the same editorial content to serve the information needs of the non-English speaking community staffed with a Spanish-speaking editor for translation. The larger staff of the Herald will produce editorial copy for the Heraldo.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Herald began without the benefit of a large cash outlay but managed to publish 5,000 copies of a 16-page broadsheet newspaper on a weekly basis on faith, work ethic, and enduring energy. The newspaper, however, has published inconsistently due to a lack of consistent working capital. Our goal is to raise $160,000 to pay weekly publishing expenses: $1,700 for reporting/writing, and photojournalism; editing and pagination; printing and distributing 5,000 copies. The capital will also pay for an office, paid office secretary, and utility expenses to publish consistently every week for one year independent of city government. Following one year (52 straight weeks) of publishing the Herald will qualify under California state law for adjudication by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which will enable the Herald to legally bid for lucrative legal advertising from the City Attorney. Revenue from legal advertising will effectively create a strong fiscal foundation for expansion and growth as the Herald strives to further strengthen its finances through retail and corporate advertising revenue.
A BENEFIT FOR THE COMMUNITY
Every city and town in America deserves the benefit of a solid objective newspaper. Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of a free democracy as established by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Compton will better serve its citizenry with a strong Compton Herald serving to scrutinize city government, assuring transparency, holding city officials accountable, encouraging citizen participation in the governing process at city council meetings, as well as in the voting booth. Additionally, as an active member of the city’s chamber of commerce, the Herald will serve to foment a healthy and prosperous business environment serving as a partner to enhance marketability and promotion.
In the area of education, the Compton Herald will also keep families abreast of the educational policies of the local K-12 school district, and the opportunities for higher learning at the local community college.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO
The production of a weekly newspaper requires a full time commitment. Aside from the expensive cost of printing, the production of a first-rate newspaper requires an office bearing utility expenses, delivery costs requiring a vehicle w/ gas/oil expenses; and unanticipated ancillary expenses.
The $160,000 will be specifically earmarked for:
Printing monthly: $6,800.00 ($1,700.00 per week)
Delivery monthly: $1,600.00 ($400.00 per week)
Delivery van/gas: $1,200.00 ($300.00 per week)
Office monthly: $1,300.00
Ancillary costs: $1,784.00 ($446.00 per week)
Office utilities: $ 500.00 ($500.00 per month)
Total monthly: $13,184.00
x12
Total Annually: $158,208.00
RISKS AND CHALLENGES
The void of a professional weekly news voice in Compton kept residents in the dark on too many issues impacting their welfare. Only an independent source of information could be trusted to deliver objectively-written information on city governance while also provide news on cultural arts and entertainment, and calendar event listings. We believe that Compton will continue to benefit from all these new enterprises. Our readers have grown to trust our editorial thrust and leadership and regularly respond to our news stories in the Editorial section through “Letters to the Herald,” and apprise us of breaking news events, and forthcoming events.
The challenge for the Compton Herald over the long haul will be accruing advertising revenue, as the newspaper is distributed free of charge to our readers. But, our fervent belief is that journalistic know-how behind the passionate leadership a 40-year journalism professional and experienced editor, augmented by a savvy business model, will ensure the Compton Herald’s financial viability and sustainability, allowing us to focus and build on the highest standards of journalistic excellence in a community that deserves nothing less.
OUR TEAM
The Compton Herald has forged ahead under the leadership of the following newspaper veterans: Publisher, Editor and Founder Jarrette D. Fellows, Jr., a former editor of five newspapers and magazines over the course of 40 years, and a frequent popular guest on the Los Angeles talk radio circuit; Photojournalist Rodney Raschke, a 40-year veteran; Marketing Director Jimmie Gilmore, a retired 25-year sales executive for the Los Angeles Times; Dennene Jones, sales and marketing account executive; IT Director Tony Brown, 25-year veteran journalist, and website and blog innovator; Community Relations representatives, Alonzo Williams and Kingsley B. Jones, both local business veterans; and Circulation and Delivery manager Jharmaine Fellows. With the exception of our photojournalist, every staffer is a Compton native. Free lance journalists round out the editorial staff. The Herald team is so prolific, it appears to be the work of a staff of 25 or more, rather than only eight. Our campaign goal of $160,000 will truly enable us to build an exemplary 21st century hard copy newspaper and online version.
We plan to re-launch the Compton Herald soon after the conclusion of our capital campaign on April 4, 2015. The exact date of the re-launch is Monday, April 6, 2015
PLEASE HELP US TO SUCCEED
We need your financial contributions to publish consistently every week for 52 weeks (one year) to achieve Adjudication by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Adjudication will permit the Compton Herald to bid for and receive legal advertising, which will establish a lucrative source of revenue to establish strong sustainability for the Herald.
PERKS & PLEDGES
We’ve established 10 pledges that will enable you to help us sustain press freedom in Compton, something we are deeply passionate about. Encourage your friends to join you in helping ensure that Compton remains a city where a free press is the cornerstone underscoring the public “right to know.” You will be helping to undergird an institution that will serve the city for decades into this new millennium.
For just $10, we will mail you a signed specially-designed “Official Thank You Postcard” and a permanent place in our “Official Contributor List” in the Compton Herald website. Delivery date: May 18, 2015.
For a $25 pledge you will receive the Above and a “One Month Subscription” to the Compton Herald, the newspaper that brought classic journalism to Compton in 2013, ardently publishing the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.” Delivery date: May 18, 2015.
A donation of $50 will notch you the Above and a stylish “Cap Emblazoned With the Compton Herald Logo.” Delivery date: May 25, 2015.
Pledge $100 and we will send you the all of the Above and a three-month subscription, keeping you abreast of 12 weeks of news out of Compton. Delivery date: May 25, 2015.
You will receive all of the Above and a “Tee Shirt Bearing the Compton Herald Logo” when you pledge $300. Delivery date: June 1, 2015.
For pledging $500, you will be on the receiving end of the Above, a six month subscription to the Compton Herald, and a framed, signed copy of “Sable Man Wind Breaker,”a poetic affirmation written by Jarrette D. Fellows, Jr. in 1992, to encourage homeless and downtrodden men according to Romans 15:1 of the Bible, that the “strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.” Delivery date: June 15, 2015.
When you contribute $1,000, we will package for you the Above, a one-year subscription to the Compton Herald, and a free copy of the “Associated Press Editorial Style Book” for journalists. Delivery date: June 15, 2015.
Dig deeper and pledge $3,000 for the Above, and receive an autographed copy of the definitive book on the birth of hip hop in Compton, “The History of West Coast Hip Hop: NWA (Not Without Alonzo),” featuring hip hop mentor Alonzo Williams (a partner with the Compton Herald). Delivery date: June 29, 2015.
Donors of $5,000 receive all of the Above, “Lifetime Contributor Recognition With Logo” in the Compton Herald website, and a “Full Page Advertisement of You and Your Business and/or Organization Published for Six Months (that’s 26 issues) In the Compton Herald.” Delivery date: June 29, 2015.
Contributors of $10,000 will receive all of the Above, a “Lifetime Subscription to the Compton Herald,” a “Full Page Advertisement and Bio of You and Your Business and/or Organization Published for One Year (that’s 52 issues) In the Compton Herald,” and a “Personal Invitation for Two to the Compton Herald Adjudication Celebration.” Delivery date: June 29, 2015.
A strong, independent and objective news voice is critical for Compton, Calif., as the City strives to redefine its image while closely monitoring the workings of city government and business. Compton is a municipality south of downtown Los Angeles of slightly more than 100,000 residents; a city that had been void of a newspaper before the emergence of the Compton Herald in 2013. The Herald serves as an important objective voice providing general coverage of important issues that impact the public to up-close-and-personal investigative stories of public officials. The Herald also strives to publish the profiles and features of local interest that serve to re-define a city beset by previous images that have characterized Compton as a haven of crime and violence. But Compton in 2015 is a city on the move and the Herald reflects this, balancing the city's narrative, shaping and augmenting its brand.
The Herald also endeavors to bridge a cultural challenge in the community. The city is comprised largely of two ethnic groups --- African Americans and Latino Americans. The latter can be sub-divided into English-speaking and Spanish-language-only residents. The Herald plans to launch a Spanish tabloid insert titled Compton Heraldo, which will carry the same editorial content to serve the information needs of the non-English speaking community staffed with a Spanish-speaking editor for translation. The larger staff of the Herald will produce editorial copy for the Heraldo.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
The Herald began without the benefit of a large cash outlay but managed to publish 5,000 copies of a 16-page broadsheet newspaper on a weekly basis on faith, work ethic, and enduring energy. The newspaper, however, has published inconsistently due to a lack of consistent working capital. Our goal is to raise $160,000 to pay weekly publishing expenses: $1,700 for reporting/writing, and photojournalism; editing and pagination; printing and distributing 5,000 copies. The capital will also pay for an office, paid office secretary, and utility expenses to publish consistently every week for one year independent of city government. Following one year (52 straight weeks) of publishing the Herald will qualify under California state law for adjudication by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which will enable the Herald to legally bid for lucrative legal advertising from the City Attorney. Revenue from legal advertising will effectively create a strong fiscal foundation for expansion and growth as the Herald strives to further strengthen its finances through retail and corporate advertising revenue.
A BENEFIT FOR THE COMMUNITY
Every city and town in America deserves the benefit of a solid objective newspaper. Freedom of the press is the cornerstone of a free democracy as established by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Compton will better serve its citizenry with a strong Compton Herald serving to scrutinize city government, assuring transparency, holding city officials accountable, encouraging citizen participation in the governing process at city council meetings, as well as in the voting booth. Additionally, as an active member of the city’s chamber of commerce, the Herald will serve to foment a healthy and prosperous business environment serving as a partner to enhance marketability and promotion.
In the area of education, the Compton Herald will also keep families abreast of the educational policies of the local K-12 school district, and the opportunities for higher learning at the local community college.
WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO
The production of a weekly newspaper requires a full time commitment. Aside from the expensive cost of printing, the production of a first-rate newspaper requires an office bearing utility expenses, delivery costs requiring a vehicle w/ gas/oil expenses; and unanticipated ancillary expenses.
The $160,000 will be specifically earmarked for:
Printing monthly: $6,800.00 ($1,700.00 per week)
Delivery monthly: $1,600.00 ($400.00 per week)
Delivery van/gas: $1,200.00 ($300.00 per week)
Office monthly: $1,300.00
Ancillary costs: $1,784.00 ($446.00 per week)
Office utilities: $ 500.00 ($500.00 per month)
Total monthly: $13,184.00
x12
Total Annually: $158,208.00
RISKS AND CHALLENGES
The void of a professional weekly news voice in Compton kept residents in the dark on too many issues impacting their welfare. Only an independent source of information could be trusted to deliver objectively-written information on city governance while also provide news on cultural arts and entertainment, and calendar event listings. We believe that Compton will continue to benefit from all these new enterprises. Our readers have grown to trust our editorial thrust and leadership and regularly respond to our news stories in the Editorial section through “Letters to the Herald,” and apprise us of breaking news events, and forthcoming events.
The challenge for the Compton Herald over the long haul will be accruing advertising revenue, as the newspaper is distributed free of charge to our readers. But, our fervent belief is that journalistic know-how behind the passionate leadership a 40-year journalism professional and experienced editor, augmented by a savvy business model, will ensure the Compton Herald’s financial viability and sustainability, allowing us to focus and build on the highest standards of journalistic excellence in a community that deserves nothing less.
OUR TEAM
The Compton Herald has forged ahead under the leadership of the following newspaper veterans: Publisher, Editor and Founder Jarrette D. Fellows, Jr., a former editor of five newspapers and magazines over the course of 40 years, and a frequent popular guest on the Los Angeles talk radio circuit; Photojournalist Rodney Raschke, a 40-year veteran; Marketing Director Jimmie Gilmore, a retired 25-year sales executive for the Los Angeles Times; Dennene Jones, sales and marketing account executive; IT Director Tony Brown, 25-year veteran journalist, and website and blog innovator; Community Relations representatives, Alonzo Williams and Kingsley B. Jones, both local business veterans; and Circulation and Delivery manager Jharmaine Fellows. With the exception of our photojournalist, every staffer is a Compton native. Free lance journalists round out the editorial staff. The Herald team is so prolific, it appears to be the work of a staff of 25 or more, rather than only eight. Our campaign goal of $160,000 will truly enable us to build an exemplary 21st century hard copy newspaper and online version.
We plan to re-launch the Compton Herald soon after the conclusion of our capital campaign on April 4, 2015. The exact date of the re-launch is Monday, April 6, 2015
PLEASE HELP US TO SUCCEED
We need your financial contributions to publish consistently every week for 52 weeks (one year) to achieve Adjudication by the Los Angeles Superior Court. Adjudication will permit the Compton Herald to bid for and receive legal advertising, which will establish a lucrative source of revenue to establish strong sustainability for the Herald.
PERKS & PLEDGES
We’ve established 10 pledges that will enable you to help us sustain press freedom in Compton, something we are deeply passionate about. Encourage your friends to join you in helping ensure that Compton remains a city where a free press is the cornerstone underscoring the public “right to know.” You will be helping to undergird an institution that will serve the city for decades into this new millennium.
For just $10, we will mail you a signed specially-designed “Official Thank You Postcard” and a permanent place in our “Official Contributor List” in the Compton Herald website. Delivery date: May 18, 2015.
For a $25 pledge you will receive the Above and a “One Month Subscription” to the Compton Herald, the newspaper that brought classic journalism to Compton in 2013, ardently publishing the “Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.” Delivery date: May 18, 2015.
A donation of $50 will notch you the Above and a stylish “Cap Emblazoned With the Compton Herald Logo.” Delivery date: May 25, 2015.
Pledge $100 and we will send you the all of the Above and a three-month subscription, keeping you abreast of 12 weeks of news out of Compton. Delivery date: May 25, 2015.
You will receive all of the Above and a “Tee Shirt Bearing the Compton Herald Logo” when you pledge $300. Delivery date: June 1, 2015.
For pledging $500, you will be on the receiving end of the Above, a six month subscription to the Compton Herald, and a framed, signed copy of “Sable Man Wind Breaker,”a poetic affirmation written by Jarrette D. Fellows, Jr. in 1992, to encourage homeless and downtrodden men according to Romans 15:1 of the Bible, that the “strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak.” Delivery date: June 15, 2015.
When you contribute $1,000, we will package for you the Above, a one-year subscription to the Compton Herald, and a free copy of the “Associated Press Editorial Style Book” for journalists. Delivery date: June 15, 2015.
Dig deeper and pledge $3,000 for the Above, and receive an autographed copy of the definitive book on the birth of hip hop in Compton, “The History of West Coast Hip Hop: NWA (Not Without Alonzo),” featuring hip hop mentor Alonzo Williams (a partner with the Compton Herald). Delivery date: June 29, 2015.
Donors of $5,000 receive all of the Above, “Lifetime Contributor Recognition With Logo” in the Compton Herald website, and a “Full Page Advertisement of You and Your Business and/or Organization Published for Six Months (that’s 26 issues) In the Compton Herald.” Delivery date: June 29, 2015.
Contributors of $10,000 will receive all of the Above, a “Lifetime Subscription to the Compton Herald,” a “Full Page Advertisement and Bio of You and Your Business and/or Organization Published for One Year (that’s 52 issues) In the Compton Herald,” and a “Personal Invitation for Two to the Compton Herald Adjudication Celebration.” Delivery date: June 29, 2015.
Organizer
Jarrette Fellows Jr.
Organizer
Inglewood, CA
