Donate to support MendoLocal.News and Mendo Local Public Media.

We believe trustworthy local news is a public service. Without it, our democratic institutions are opaque and unresponsive. Rumors are treated like fact. Bad decisions can made on our behalf — and when we learn about them, it is too late.

Some examples we came across in the last few months:

• millions of dollars of state funds are spent on playgrounds and playing fields that are made from toxic material, including one in Fort Bragg
• steep increases in water and sewer service are being proposed throughout the county – sometimes without a detailed analysis of how the additional funds will be spent
• city budgets — like Willits' general fund — are running in the red without the knowledge of elected representatives

Trusted reporters fill a critical information gap. We step in when other checks and balances fail. But we can't work alone. We exist because our readers care. They help us with stories. They let us know what meetings matter. They signal support by signing up for free subscriptions. And they also provide financial support — at the level that works for each individual — so that we can focus on what matters.

Our goal for this drive is $10,000

We are seeking help paying the following expenses:

$2,522 media liability insurance
$2,000 software licensing (for services such as Zoom, Hostinger, Hindenburg, MindStudio, Mailgun and more)
$4,800 mileage reimbursement
$1,450 professional memberships (these members typically offer cost savings in the form of group purchasing discounts or probono services, as well as the opportunity for ongoing education and grant writing support)
$3,000 in equipment
$900 in public records

We have currently have more than 60,000 regular readers. If one out of every ten people gives just $2, or if two hundred people give $50, we will make our goal.