How to Support Our Mission

Gift Acceptance Policy

Our gift acceptance policy is informed by the principles established by the Institute for Nonprofit News and the American Journalism Project. These standards ensure that while we welcome philanthropic support of our efforts, we do not allow it to influence local editorial decisions. As a policy, the Maine Trust for Local News welcomes donations that comply with the following guidelines.

•  Unrestricted donations of cash or publicly-traded stocks or bonds from individual philanthropists, family foundations, institutional funders, and corporate partners are generally accepted, provided the donor is willing to abide by this policy.
•  The Maine Trust for Local News declines donations from political parties, elected officials, or candidates actively seeking public office.
• The Maine Trust for Local News will consider restricted donations, if aligned with strategy and priorities.
•  The Maine Trust for Local News will disclose donations of $5,000 or more.
•  The Maine Trust only accepts gifts from donors whose identity can be verified by the leadership and Board. While we seek to minimize donations from individuals and institutions who intend for their giving to remain private, we respect donor privacy where required by grant or gift agreements. The Maine Trust Board reserves the right to review donor privacy requirements as a condition of accepting the gift.
•  The organization’s executive leadership and Board may reject donations from sources that do not align with MTLN’s stated values or whose acceptance would meaningfully damage the reputation of the organization.
•  If an existing donor engages in disqualifying behavior or the Maine Trust for Local News learns about disqualifying behavior in the past, the executive leadership team may notify the donor (and the Board) that further donations are not welcome.

For more information on making a gift to the Maine Trust for Local News, please contact nina@ntln.org