The Worcester Guardian subscribes to donor transparency standards adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News:
- We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization.
- Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions.
- We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a public trust, we do not pay certain taxes. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses.
- Our news judgments are made independently – not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content.
- We make public all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year. As a news nonprofit, we avoid accepting charitable donations from anonymous sources, government entities, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office. We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.
- The Worcester Guardian received a $50,000 donation from the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.