Dear reader,
We took a contrarian approach to the web. While most news organizations published short hits, we ran longform investigative stories — never mind the TLDR (Too Long Didn’t Read) hashtags.
From the moment we launched our website on Aug. 31, 2009, we’ve published aggressive, fearless reporting on politics and state government with the intent of holding government officials accountable to the people of Vermont.
In those early days, we reported on criminal justice, highlighting the story of Ashley Ellis, 23, who weighed 87 pounds when she went to jail in 2009 for a misdemeanor offense. Because she was not given prescribed medication for anorexia, she died less than 48 hours after being incarcerated.
We also reported on politics — fact-checking politicians before that was a buzzword. In one example, we found that the majority of U.S. Rep. Peter Welch’s appropriations earmarks were for military expenditures in 2008 and 2009 — not community supported organizations, which he said were his top priority.
The more we disrupted the status quo in Montpelier, the more readers were attracted to our reporting. We quickly developed a following of 14,000 readers a month.
Today, VTDigger has the largest newsroom in Vermont. Over the past decade, we’ve proved this model of nonprofit, investigative journalism can work — but only if we have the support of our readers.
Will you help us keep digging?
Thank you for the first Decade of Digger. It has been an honor to serve readers who care deeply about Vermont.
With gratitude,
Anne Galloway
Founder and Editor of VTDigger.org
[HOW TO MAKE A GIFT]
Online: vtdigger.org/donate
Call: (802) 225-6224
Mail: Make checks payable to VTDigger, 26 State Street, Suite 8, Montpelier, VT 05602
[HAVE QUESTIONS OR NEED HELP]
Membership coordinator Florencio Terra is on hand to take your donation over the phone at (802) 225-6224
