Last month, The Sopris Sun lost a former board member and a longtime believer in the importance of local journalism.
Linda Criswell gave her valuable time, energy and support to The Sopris Sun because she understood that a strong community needs a trusted source of local news. She never hesitated to let us know we got something wrong, and was just as quick to offer us a pat on the back for a job well done. All of us here were deeply saddened to learn of her passing and profoundly moved to learn she had also remembered The Sopris Sun in her will.
Linda’s impact on The Sopris Sun extended beyond her own service and generosity. It was through her relationship with Mary Lilly that The Sopris Sun received the largest legacy gift in our history in 2016.
Gifts like Linda’s and Mary’s mean more than the amount written on a check. They are expressions of trust. They tell us that the work we do matters and that this organization is worth sustaining, so future generations will continue to have access to free, independent, community-centered journalism. They are also gentle reminders that the relationships built through this organization can continue to make an impact long after someone’s volunteer service has ended.
For a small nonprofit newsroom like ours, legacy gifts are especially meaningful. They give us breathing room during difficult times, help us retain talented staff and support reporting that does not generate revenue.
Linda’s gift comes at an especially important time for us. Like many newsrooms across the country, we are facing significant financial challenges in this current economic climate. Local businesses and nonprofit organizations are facing their own rising costs, and our overall advertising revenue has declined by about 20% in the last six months.
These pressures have been particularly difficult for Sol del Valle, our Spanish-language newspaper. As one of only a handful of nonprofit Spanish-language newspapers in the country, it serves a community deeply affected by the intensified immigration crackdown.
Fear and uncertainty have spread throughout the community. Families and businesses are having to re-prioritize where they spend their money. Many are also thinking carefully about how publicly visible they are willing to be regardless of their immigration status. These conditions have directly affected advertising and sponsorship for Sol del Valle.
Yet, the need for Sol del Valle has not diminished. In many ways, it has become even more important to our entire community. It was created because everyone in our community deserves a voice and access to trusted local information in a language they understand. It has become an essential resource for our Spanish-speaking neighbors, co-workers and friends.
We remain committed to Sol del Valle and our youth-led newsroom, The Sopris Stars. At the same time, we are looking carefully at how to make each of our publications financially sustainable for the long term.
We believe a printed newspaper serves a critical public need. It helps sustain a healthy, informed, connected community while supporting local businesses and the regional economy. In an era of AI generated content, it also gives readers the reassurance of knowing where their information comes from, who reported it and who is accountable for its accuracy.
Each year, The Sopris Sun must generate approximately $850,000 through advertising, sponsorships, grants and individual donations to keep this work going. We are currently projecting a deficit of approximately $250,000 this year because of the financial pressures described above.
Every source of support matters. A one-time donation matters. Becoming a monthly SunScriber matters. Advertising or sponsorship from a local business matters. A grant matters. And a legacy gift can carry someone’s commitment to the community far into the future.
A donation today can support the immediate work of our newsrooms, while including The Sopris Sun in a will or estate plan can help ensure that independent local journalism remains part of this community for generations to come. We would be honored to speak with anyone interested in learning more.
Linda believed in The Sopris Sun during her lifetime. Through her final gift, she made sure that belief would continue.
We are deeply grateful for Linda’s service, generosity and trust in this organization. Her gift will help sustain the work she cared so deeply about and strengthen The Sopris Sun during a challenging moment in our organization.
Today, local news is truly the gift we give one another in our community. Sometimes, that gift also becomes one of our legacies.
Thank you, Linda.