This story first appeared in inewsource’s weekend newsletter. Sign up for it here.

1+1=2.

But this month, 1+1=4.

This week kicked off our #NewsMatch fundraising drive, meaning any donation inewsource receives in November will be doubled! This is a big deal for a local, independent nonprofit newsroom like ours, which truly relies on you, our readers, to help keep our mission for a better-informed community alive and strong.

Here’s more about the #NewsMatch campaign from our executive director, Lorie Hearn:

Nine years ago, when I started inewsource, there were fewer than three dozen nonprofit news organizations across the United States. The journalists leading those newsrooms convened in New York to discuss the future of investigative journalism, and the Institute for Nonprofit News was born to educate and support the budding sector. inewsource was a founding INN member, and today I serve on the membership committee.

This month, inewsource is participating in a nationwide fundraising campaign for nonprofit newsrooms led by INN. It’s called NewsMatch. This effort is an exciting opportunity for nonprofit newsrooms to encourage local donations that will be doubled to a total of $25,000. Last year, the NewsMatch challenge helped to raise more than $1.2 million for 57 newsrooms, including ours.

Our job as journalists is to serve our community through our reporting. Help sustain the future of investigative journalism and ensure there are more of us looking out for you by contributing to inewsource this month when your gift and its impact will be doubled.

Thank you,
Lorie Hearn

So now you know why #NewsMatch is so important to us at inewsource. Below is more on how to donate. And we’ve also got you covered when it comes to Election Day.
Have a great weekend, and thank you for reading!

– Shyla Nott

Dark money in San Diego political campaigns

For months, San Diego County residents have been bombarded with campaign fliers, TV commercials and lawn signs leading up to the general election – now just days away.

In most cases, the millions of dollars spent on advertising aimed at persuading voters is traceable. But not always.

Sometimes the money behind a political campaign is partially or completely hidden from the public. It’s called “gray money” and “dark money,” and it often comes from nonprofits, LLCs and political action committees.

Reporter Jill Castellano looked into the use of dark money in San Diego politics. Here’s what you need to know before voting Tuesday.

Double your impact with NewsMatch

Our work is based on facts, not opinion, and it’s absolutely essential to a healthy democracy. But it isn’t possible without your support. We don’t run ads or sponsored content. We rely on our readers to support our journalism.

That’s why, during the month of November, we’re participating in NewsMatch, the largest grassroots campaign for nonprofit news. If you’ve ever appreciated our reporting or databases, please show us your support with a one-time or monthly donation. Your gift will be doubled by NewsMatch.

Click here to donate.

Your inewsource #FollowTheMoney ballot measure guide

There’s still time to review these five ballot measures and the funding behind them before Nov. 6.

County campaign finance data update

Director of Data Brandon Quester has updated our San Diego County campaign finance database to capture the most recent fundraising and spending by politicians, ballot measure groups and political action committees. The filings are current as of Oct. 29.

Explore the county database.

(Psst…our city campaign finance database updates automatically each night.)

More election help

If you’re filling out your sample ballot or early voting this weekend, check out the KPBS Voters Guide, which includes election stories by inewsource.

In the community

A few of us got out of the newsroom Tuesday to meet with high school seniors, discuss their futures and talk up journalism at the Business and Youth Expo, presented by Explore Solutions, at the Del Mar Marriott. We had a blast getting to talk with students about #fakenews, the difference between editorial and news content and the next generation of journalists.

We’ll let you know when big things happen.

Shyla NottDigital Content Manager

shylanott@inewsource.org

Shyla Nott was the digital content manager at inewsource. While at her role, she ran the website, social media accounts, and curated The Weekender newsletter. She came to inewsource by way of the Midwest where she was the producer for All Sides with Ann Fisher, a daily live public-affairs...