Marshall Helmberger

For the past 36 years, the Timberjay has proudly served our region with in-depth, accurate reporting and commentary — the kind of journalism that has become increasingly rare among weekly newspapers. This commitment to quality is especially vital today, as many news organizations across the country face closures and widespread staff reductions.
Here at the Timberjay, we’re eager to continue serving our communities for another 36 years (and beyond). However, doing so requires additional support from readers like you — those who value the independent reporting we provide each week.
As you may know, the traditional economic model for newspapers — one largely dependent on advertising — has been strained in the digital age. The Timberjay has remained strong to date thanks to the steadfast loyalty of our readers, which in turn makes the paper an attractive platform for advertisers. We expect that support to continue, although advertising alone is unlikely to fully cover the costs of producing the wide-ranging, high-quality news you’ve come to expect from the Timberjay.
That’s where you can make a difference. Our website (www.timberjay.com) offers a simple, secure way to make a contribution to support the work of the Timberjay. Many of our readers already do so, and we are deeply grateful for every donation, large or small.
Because the Timberjay is a for-profit business, direct contributions are not tax-deductible. However, we recognize that many of our readers are willing to give modestly without concern for tax benefits.
For those in a position to make larger, tax-deductible contributions, we have recently established a special fund through the Minnesota News Media Institute (MNMI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Minnesota Newspaper Association.
To make a tax-deductible contribution in support of the Timberjay, please send a check to:
Minnesota News Media Institute
c/o Minnesota Newspaper Association
10 South Fifth St., Suite 1105
Minneapolis, MN 55402
Be sure to indicate that your contribution is for the Timberjay account.
To learn more about the MNMI, visit https://mna.org/minnesota-news-media-institute.
In the meantime, the Timberjay is seeking other sources of funding to further our mission, although the competition for available grant dollars is intense and tend to be awarded to larger markets or media organizations.
We are also considering the creation of a new nonprofit entity that would be able to accept tax deductible contributions that support the mission of the Timberjay. Watch for more on that possibility in the future.
Maintaining a high-quality news organization in small town America is tougher than ever these days and it will take energy and creativity to achieve that goal. But we’re committed to the effort and are confident that, with your support, the Timberjay will continue to proudly serve our region for many years to come.