Editorial Independence and Donor Transparency Policy
The Beach Gazette is published by Beaches News, Inc., a Florida nonprofit corporation operating under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our readers deserve to know who pays for the journalism they read and what those supporters do and do not get in return.
Our editorial authority
The Beach Gazette keeps complete authority over its editorial content. Every decision about what we cover, how we cover it, and when we publish belongs to our Editor and editorial staff. Neither the Board, the Publisher, nor any donor, advertiser, or sponsor directs those decisions.
Funding we accept
We accept gifts, grants, bequests, memberships, and sponsorships from individuals, local businesses, foundations, and other organizations to support our general operations, coverage of particular topics, and special projects. We may also receive funds from standard government programs that are open to nonprofits generally. Accepting support does not mean we endorse a donor or their products, services, or opinions.
Funding we do not accept
We do not accept any contribution conditioned on publishing, suppressing, or altering news content, and we decline or return any gift offered on those terms. We do not accept donations from political parties, candidates for public office, or elected officials. We do not accept direct contributions from the municipal, county, or state government bodies we cover. We do not accept gifts from any source the Board determines presents a conflict of interest or would compromise our independence. Before accepting gifts above $50,000, the full Board reviews them for these concerns.
What donors get, and what they don't
A gift supports local journalism. It does not buy influence. Donors have no right to assign, review, approve, edit, or veto our content, and we never share stories with donors before publication. When a funder supports coverage of a particular topic, our newsroom alone decides what that coverage includes and how it is reported. We include this policy in our grant agreements and donor communications so every supporter knows these terms before giving.
Anonymous gifts
We accept anonymous donations for general operating support only. Anonymous gifts will make up no more than 15 percent of our total annual revenue, and we attest to that limit each year.
Donor disclosure
We publicly list on our website every individual and organization that gives more than $5,000 in a calendar year. The list is updated monthly.
Financial disclosure
We post our IRS Form 990 filings on our website once they are filed. Until our first Form 990 is available, we post an equivalent summary of our annual budget, any compensation or stipends paid, and major donors. Each year the Board commissions a review, compilation, or audit of our financial statements.
Keeping money and news separate
The Board maintains a separation between the organization's business operations and its newsroom. No director, officer, donor, advertiser, or other stakeholder may use their position to interfere with editorial decisions. Directors and officers sign our Conflict of Interest Policy every year and recuse themselves from any decision in which they have a material financial interest. The Board investigates reported violations. Consequences can include removal from the Board, termination of a contributor agreement, or return of a donation.
Nonpartisanship
Beach Gazette does not endorse candidates, favor any candidate in its coverage, or lobby for specific legislation or policies.
