Today, on National Nonprofit Day, we’re asking for your support because the need is real and immediate. Independent local news in Ames is growing, but so are the demands on our newsroom. Every week, more readers rely on us. More stories need to be told. More community moments deserve coverage. And we want to rise to meet that need.
But we can’t do it without you.
Every story we publish represents five hours of combined work from reporters and editors before it ever hits social media or your inbox. As a nonprofit newsroom, we don’t have corporate funding or advertising giants behind us. We have you — our readers, our neighbors, our community.
If you’ve ever opened one of our newsletters and felt more informed, more connected or more proud to live in Ames, we’re asking you to act today.
Your gift right now will:
Keep our reporters in the field
Expand our coverage into underserved corners of the community
Support the editors who ensure accuracy and trust
Help us transition from volunteer‑only reporting to paid stipends
Strengthen the future of independent news in Story County
We’ve built something meaningful together over the last 18 months — nearly 400 stories, 1,200+ subscribers, partnerships with Iowa State University, internships and a growing network of community contributors.
How you can support this work today
Make a one‑time gift of $17 in honor of National Nonprofit Day
Or better yet, commit $17 per month to sustain our work year‑round
Your support today will shape what we’re able to do tomorrow.
If you believe Ames deserves strong, independent local journalism, please make a gift today. And if you know friends, family or colleagues — even those outside of Ames — who care about staying connected to this community, we’d be grateful if you shared the Ames Voice with them. Word‑of‑mouth support is one of the most powerful tools we have. Thank you for helping keep local journalism alive!
Looking ahead
We have an exciting stretch ahead for the Ames Voice. In the coming months, we’re expanding our youth sports coverage, giving families, athletes and coaches a dedicated space to celebrate the stories that shape childhood and community pride. We’re also preparing to launch our Power the Voice campaign — a new effort focused on strengthening and sustaining independent local journalism for years to come.
In October, we’ll celebrate our one‑year anniversary. It’s a milestone that reflects the trust this community has placed in us, and we’re eager to mark it with deeper reporting and more ways for readers to feel connected to the place they call home.
Your support today helps make all of this possible.
Thank you for standing with us, for believing in nonprofit news and for helping build a stronger, better‑informed Ames.
Kevin Stow, Board President on behalf of the Ames Voice Board of Directors
Mission: The Ames Voice is dedicated to being the primary source of news and information for the Ames area, focusing on complete coverage that values local insights, diverse voices, and ethical reporting, while prioritizing community engagement and empowerment.
