The RoundTable recently joined the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA), which includes nearly 70 outlets covering the African American, Latinx, Asian American, Polish, immigrant, LGBTQ, and other Chicago communities.
We are also participating in CIMA’s annual joint fundraiser, which began this week and runs through June 11 – with foundations lined up to match at least the first $40,000 in donations.
CIMA was launched in 2019 by the Chicago Reader. The 68 partners in the alliance include traditional print newspapers, independently produced podcasts, video production studios, and nonprofit newsrooms focusing on key issues that affect the fabric of the city. CIMA coordinates revenue projects to assist in strengthening the local media landscape.
This is the second annual CIMA joint fundraiser. The 2020 campaign, put together in three weeks, raised more than $160,000 for 43 members, including $60,000 in matching funds from local foundations. More than 1,000 individuals donated, with two-thirds opting to support all outlets. One of the positive side effects of the effort was new visibility and amplification of a wide range of media voices.
“There are multiple obstacles facing independent media,” said Yazmin Dominguez, CIMA project coordinator. “The impact of COVID-19, decreases in advertising and additional problems have hurt local media. Unfortunately, community media outlets are not getting the resources they need and are thus facing the real possibility of closure. This includes media serving African American, Latinx, Asian American, immigrant, LGBTQ, and other Chicago communities.”
Please donate at savechicagomedia.org. The website offers the option to donate one amount to be split evenly among all of the outlets, or donors can select one or more outlets to give a specific amount. We hope you’ll include the RoundTable in your gift.