We live in a world where quality information is more important than ever.
The problem is, the number of professionals doing it is shrinking. Nearly every week there are stories on the erosion of local media through layoffs, shutdowns, or buyouts.
Right now, trust in the information we consume is near an all-time low. It’s fueled by those taking only a shard of true information and spinning it out of control in a narrative that hurts, dehumanizes, and falsifies the actual story.
LiveWire Calgary is built on providing high-quality, trusted information at a time when we question everything. In our DNA is the desire to shine the light on stories good and bad and help the city move forward, but more importantly bring people together.
You’re here for a reason. You believe in better local media. Now it’s a matter of following through on your desire for stronger local news coverage. We’re in a position to deliver it. It’s a small contribution with a huge impact on our community.
Now’s the time to step up. It’s time to empower a locally-built organization, with its roots in Southern Alberta, to continue building a local news organization that reflects the people it serves.
No paywall
At LiveWire Calgary, we firmly believe in access to information. Accessibility is critical. Money shouldn’t be a barrier to Calgarians being informed with our fact-based, agenda-free, community-focused local news.
We rely on people like you to contribute (monthly if you want!) to ensure we can survive. If you’re impressed with what we’re able to do now with three people (a number that has grown thanks to folks like you), imagine how much more of your stories we could cover with a generous contribution.
Those who choose to support us monthly get access to exclusive bonus content in addition to our regular news coverage. That’s all handled through our Patreon platform.
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If everyone who viewed a story in 2024 (1.51 million views) contributed $1, just once, we’d have enough funds to sustain our current operation for 10 years. No joke.
If those same visitors contributed just $1 per month we could:
- Fund 10 full-time daily news journalists
- Fund a deep investigation team with two journalists (with a research budget)
- Fund 1 full-time photographer
- Fund a dedicated online / social media editor
- Fund an additional assignment / content editor (fact check, work with writers)
- Continue to fund ongoing freelance content
- Fund a small, centrally-located, public-facing street location where journalists come together
… and we’d still have money left over for special projects or community endeavours, sponsorships and more.
It’s a conversation we’re hoping to have with Calgarians. It doesn’t take much to fund a robust local news team.
If you’re having trouble finding news that reflects your neighbourhood or your community, we understand.
That’s why we exist. We’re here to fill that growing void. To do it, we need members just like you.
Since we launc hed in June 2018:
- We’ve published more than 5,100 stories.
- We had more than 4 million views.
- We’ve touched on more than 112 Calgary communities.
- We’ve enlisted (and paid) the skills of more than 45 local freelance writers.
- We’ve worked with (and paid) 8 freelance photographers
- We’ve published multiple
community contributors
Our single payment option is above. Consider supporting us monthly. Tell your friends and family to join in, too!
Building a new media model
Many of you are familiar with our Patreon crowdfunding
Those who do sign up for the bonus content can find it all through Patreon. It’s a separate location only accessible with a monthly membership.
Many people asked for a single-pay membership option. We listened. We chose PayPal because it’s effective, well-known and trusted. Many of you already use it for your secure online transactions.
Your new membership: Thank you!
The same rules apply here as they do on Patreon. Any membership contribution made will go straight to journalism. It won’t go to operations. That means any contribution you make has a DIRECT impact on the number of stories we can tell.
PLEASE NOTE: We are not a charity, nor are we a non-profit organization or society. Tax receipts will not be issued.
Hit up our editor, Darren Krause with questions.