First off, thank you. Since becoming a nonprofit in 2021, thousands of you have subscribed or donated to support our mission of delivering quality journalism to Claremont since 1908. Your generosity has kept us going — and kept fact-based local news alive. But we now face unprecedented obstacles, and it is time to be candid:

If current trends continue, I cannot guarantee the Courier will still be publishing in 2026. I say this not to alarm you, but because you deserve the truth. Claremont would not be the same without the Courier — and its future depends on everyone who believes an informed community still matters.

In 2024, advertising and subscriptions brought in about $720,000. Donations contributed another $120,000 — just enough to cover expenses. This year, donations are down significantly, which is why we launched the $100K Challenge. Unlike large media companies, we don’t have the resources for galas or expensive mail campaigns. Our events are simply a way to say thank you.

How you can help

If you read the Courier, the single most important thing you can do is purchase a print and/or online subscription at claremont.circ.news/about. Reading our work for free is the fastest way to put us out of business.

A second powerful way to help is by making a donation at claremont-courier.com/donations. We became a nonprofit in 2021 because subscription and advertising revenue were being outpaced by rising costs — especially due to inflation and tech platforms like Google and Facebook profiting from our content without compensating us. California tried to force Google to compensate publishers last year, but powerful lobbying efforts stalled the legislation.

The challenge we face

Over the past several years, we’ve worked hard to adapt — streamlining our operations, efficiently producing our print edition, expanding digital offerings, and finding new ways to reach readers. But we continue to face headwinds that threaten our long-term sustainability.

The biggest challenge isn’t advertising or the types of stories we cover. It’s that fewer people are willing to pay for local journalism, even as more people read it. Too many now expect to consume local news for free.

Why paying matters

Three years ago, we launched weekly newsletters, expanded our daily website, and strengthened our social media presence. These efforts dramatically increased our reach — but not the number of people who help pay for the journalism they enjoy. Even among regular newsletter readers, fewer than 40% are subscribers or donors.

To sustain our work, we introduced a paywall so our most-read stories could generate some return. Unfortunately, we’ve also seen increasing attempts to bypass it. It’s disheartening that some won’t pay $8 a month for original, fact-based reporting — coverage no other outlet provides.

I wish the Weinberger family had deep pockets to fund the Courier forever. We don’t. Since 2005, my family has personally contributed more than $400,000 to keep the Courier alive.

The Courier is a small team of journalists, business staff, and community members working with integrity to serve Claremont. Over the years, revenue losses have forced us to lay off people we care about. We’ve been transparent because the problem is not a lack of readers — it’s a lack of paid support.

There are many ways to support us

• Online: donate online at claremont-courier.com/donations, or subscribe online at claremont.circ.news/about.
• By phone: call Dee at (909) 621-4761 to donate, subscribe, or buy a gift subscription.
• By mail: donate or subscribe by mail to PO Box 878, Claremont, CA 91711.
• Subscribe through our school partners Claremont High School or the Claremont Educational Foundation. Email support@communityjournalismproject.com for more info.

The Courier has served Claremont for 117 years. With your support, we can continue informing, connecting, and protecting this community for generations to come.

Peter Weinberger

CEO and publisher