Saturday, October 10, 2026

Become a Villager
Newsroom Partner

We’re building a new model for sustainable, local journalism–one built on deep partnerships with leaders across the Midcoast community.

Local News Needs Local Champions

The revenue model that drove the news industry for a century no longer works. So, we’re inviting our business and philanthropic community to help us build something big. Come be part of the solution.

Contact Midcoast Villager Publisher Aaron Britt at
[email protected] to learn more.

Journalism that Serves Midcoast Maine

Local news is consistently people’s most trusted source of information—not TV, not national papers, not social media. Communities with strong local press are more civically engaged, less polarized, and have more vibrant economies.

THE VILLAGER’S JOURNALISM DELIVERS

FACT-BASED NEWS

Not influencer innuendo or partisan spin

TRANSPARENCY

Covering key decisions in local government and schools

COMMUNITY CONNECTION

Through the human stories that build our social fabric

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Helping attract new businesses and fostering innovation

SOLUTIONS – FOCUSED COVERAGE

Not just problems

Choose a Partnership That Matches Your Mission

The Villager Newsroom Partner Program offers tailored opportunities for businesses and organizations to support local journalism while gaining community recognition, visibility, and value.

VILLAGER ADVOCATE | $10,000

Become a pillar of support for strong local news in the Midcoast.

 

  • Credit for supporting independent journalism in an area core to your mission

  • Sponsor a discussion in the Villager Cafe on a community issue

  • Recognition of your Newsroom Partnership in the Villager Cafe, online, and in print for 1 year

  • Company membership for up to 6 employees

  • Biz Briefs Membership with unlimited job listings and updates to your page

  • 25k bonus ad impressions

  • Custom ad to celebrate your Newsroom Partnership 4 times per year in the paper

  • 1 week of your ad in Villager Daily newsletter

  • Tickets to member-only events

VILLAGER CHAMPION | $15,000

Elevate your profile in the community while supporting the journalism that keeps the Midcoast informed and engaged.

 

All Villager Advocate benefits, plus:

  • Access for 10 employees

  • 75K bonus ad impressions

  • 15% off display ads

  • 1 free sponsored article in print and online

VILLAGER VISIONARY | $20,000 +

Use your brand and expertise to lead the conversation on the issues that matter most to Midcoast Maine

 

At this level, we’ll co-create a partnership that aligns with your goals and community values. From public events to storytelling series, we’ll design something lasting that builds your brand, shows your leadership, and pushes our community forward.

Contact Villager Publisher Aaron Britt at [email protected] to design the Partnership that’s best for you.

CASE STUDY

Building Community Through Partnership

Villager Visionary Partner: New England Cancer Specialists

A SIGNATURE EVENT

An Unexpected Gift: Stories of Cancer and Community at the Camden Opera House

  • 300+ attendees

  • $6,000+ donated to supporting those fighting cancer

  • Emotional, uplifting stories, music, discussion and event comedy from Midcoast residents

  • Pre-event reception at the Villager Cafe

ONGOING SUPPORT

  • Monthly Cancer Cafe at The Villager Cafe

  • Support group for survivors, thrivers, and caregivers

  • Free coffee, food, and conversation

YEAR-ROUND VISIBILITY

  • 12 full-page ads

  • Recognition as a Villager Visionary in print, online, and at our cafe

  • Ongoing presence at Villager-hosted events

This is what it looks like when local journalism and mission – driven organizations come together for impact.

Let’s build something meaningful – together.

FAQ

How will my money be used as a Villager Partner?

100% of Newsroom Partnership funding goes directly to helping cover the salary and benefits of our newsroom staff.

Why do you need funding if you sell advertising and require a subscription for unlimited access?

The two-legged subscription/advertising model of journalism funding is defunct. For too long we’ve relied on a market transaction to fuel a public good. Though we continue to invest in providing quality advertising opportunities as well as a great member experience to grow those revenue streams, the financial reality is that quality journalism is expensive to sustain. So, we need to add more legs to our stool to ensure we can continue providing essential local journalism to the community for decades to come.

Why is a for-profit organization asking for money?

We are for-profit in tax status only. Our mission is not to make it rich. It’s to make our impact sustainable. We can accept tax-deductible charitable donations thanks to a fiscal sponsor relationship with the Eastern Maine Development Corporation.

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