Like most local news media right now, our readership is at an all-time high, but revenues are at a new low.
Since we are a free publication and website, 100% of the CityBeat’s’ revenue comes from locals being able to gather in public — in restaurants, bars, theatres, museums, parks and at our own events and festivals. We've always loved bringing people together and our livelihood depends on it. But now, everything has changed. Advertising revenues from restaurants, bars, theaters, concerts, festivals and retail have completely dried up. And our “side hustle” of events isn’t going to do the trick while we are all practicing healthy social distancing.
To ensure that we can continue to keep our doors open and deliver local news to you for free, we have launched the CityBeat Press Club. This donation-based membership group has been created to build a community around our readers and strongest supporters at a time that local media across the country has been struggling, and to help underwrite our work in the face of the devastating loss of revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
We are asking, if you believe in what we do and want to see us continue doing it, that you consider showing your support financially, and join us. We want to meet you at the next local concert or town hall. We want to see you in local restaurants and your favorite Cincinnati bars. And most of all, we want you to keep reading, and we want to keep informing you, our community, about what’s going on in this city that we call home.
CityBeat is committed to keeping our print and digital products free, and now we’re asking the community we serve to support the local journalism you deserve and have come to expect. This campaign has been in the works for some time, but present circumstances have increased our urgency. Once this passes, we want to make sure we’ll still be here with you. And we appreciate your support.
How do you join? It’s simple -- donate to our Editorial team by clicking on the donate button below. You can choose a one-time of $15+ or recurring donation, in increments of $6/mo. or more.
What’s in it for you? As if the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with knowing that you’re supporting local journalism wasn’t enough, you’ll receive exclusive content, perks and swag throughout the year.
At a time when local reporting is critically important, support from our readers is essential to our future. If you’re able to, please join the CityBeat Press Club today.
$15-$50 | Covers the cost of three reporters' notebooks or filing a public records request.
Thank you! Thank you! We will think of you when going after that next hard-news story, and you will be added to our exclusive CityBeat Press Club email list for exclusive invitations to special events, special offers for members, and insider info on what’s going on behind the pages of CityBeat.
$72 or $6 per month | Covers the cost of attending and covering City Council and County Commission meetings.
Receive a branded car magnet, your name listed as a member in a printed edition of CityBeat and on citybeat.com, and a CityBeat membership card which can score you perks. You’ll also be added to our exclusive Press Club email list for exclusive invitations, special offers, and insider info about CityBeat.
$120 or $10 per month | Pays for a single copy of the CityBeat for the year. Each individual paper costs us around $2 to produce, and we give it away for free!
Receive a print of cover artwork from CityBeat, a branded car magnet, your name listed as a member in a printed edition of CityBeat and on citybeat.com, and a CityBeat Press Club membership card which can score you perks. You’ll also be added to our exclusive Press Club email list for exclusive invitations, special offers, and insider info about CityBeat.
$240 or $20 per month | Covers the cost of producing and sending our three email newsletters each week.
Receive an invitation to the Best of Cincinnati Party, a print of cover artwork from CityBeat, a branded car magnet, your name listed as a member in a printed edition of CityBeat and on citybeat.com, and a CityBeat Press Club membership card which can score you perks. You’ll also be added to our exclusive Press Club email list for exclusive invitations, special offers, and insider info about CityBeat.
$480 or $40 per month | Covers the cost of a cover illustration created for one of our special issues, such as Best of Cincinnati or City Guide.
Receive a CityBeat insulated water bottle, an invitation to the Best of Cincinnati Party, a print of cover artwork from CityBeat, a branded car magnet, your name listed as a member in a printed edition of CityBeat and on citybeat.com, and a CityBeat Press Club membership card which can score you perks. You’ll also be added to our exclusive Press Club email list for exclusive invitations, special offers, and insider info about CityBeat.
$960 or $80 per month | Covers the cost of posting our content to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for one week.
Receive a CityBeat T-shirt or garment, a CityBeat insulated water bottle, an invitation to the Best of Cincinnati Party, a print of cover artwork from CityBeat, a branded car magnet, your name listed as a member in a printed edition of CityBeat and on citybeat.com, and a CityBeat Press Club membership card which can score you perks. You’ll also be added to our exclusive Press Club email list for exclusive invitations, special offers, and insider info about CityBeat.
$1,920+ or $160+ per month | The cost to distribute the publication for one week.
Receive an invitation to private event with dinner and drinks with the CityBeat staff, a CityBeat T-shirt or garment, a CityBeat insulated water bottle, an invitation to the Best of Cincinnati Party, a print of cover artwork from CityBeat, a branded car magnet, your name listed as a member in a printed edition of CityBeat and on citybeat.com, and a CityBeat Press Club membership card which can score you perks. You’ll also be added to our exclusive Press Club email list for exclusive invitations, special offers, and insider info about CityBeat.
Provide a one-time or monthly contribution using the button below:
Other ways to support Cincinnati CityBeat:
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter
Subscribe to our newsletters
Advertise with Cincinnati CityBeat
Support local businesses and our advertisers.
Note: Membership perks will be received at intervals within 4-6 weeks of members hitting the total amount for the qualifying perk in a 12-month period. Those who make one-time donations should expect to receive gifts within 4-6 weeks from contribution.
*Please note that your support of CityBeat’s journalism does not constitute a charitable donation and does not qualify for a tax deduction. If you have any questions about contributing to CityBeat, please contact us at policy(at)citybeat.com.
