Editor’s Note: Big Bend Times is not aligned with any nonprofits to allow tax deductible donations, but we do appreciate and receive community support.
The Big Bend Sentinel, a staple of West Texas news since 1926, has taken a significant step forward by partnering with the Tiny News Collective, in a move that diverges from the Collective’s usual focus on nurturing digital news startups. This collaboration represents a unique blend of legacy journalism and modern fiscal strategy aimed at preserving the Sentinel’s critical role in the Far West Texas community.
Unlike many of Tiny News Collective’s members, which are primarily newer, digital-focused outlets serving niche communities, the Big Bend Sentinel brings nearly a century of history and a broad spectrum of local news coverage. This partnership signals a strategic pivot for both entities, highlighting a mutual commitment to ensuring the future of community-centric journalism in areas underserved by mainstream media.
Central to this partnership is a novel financial arrangement designed to support the Sentinel’s mission while navigating the economic challenges faced by print media. “The Big Bend Sentinel Journalism Fund is fiscally sponsored by The Tiny News Collective, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization,” the Sentinel announces. They further clarify, “You are donating to The Tiny News Collective, which will hold your gift in a restricted fund for the charitable purposes of Big Bend Sentinel Journalism Fund but retains variance power in accordance with our fiscal sponsorship agreement with Big Bend Sentinel Journalism Fund and FASB Statements 958-605-25-25 and -26. Donations to Tiny News Collective are tax-deductible as permitted by law. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the deductibility of your donation.”
This legal framework underscores the innovative approach the Sentinel and the Tiny News Collective are taking to secure funding. It allows supporters to make tax-deductible donations, ensuring that the Sentinel can continue its tradition of independent journalism, covering vital issues from local government and environmental concerns to border policies and rural healthcare.
By aligning with the Tiny News Collective, the Big Bend Sentinel is setting a precedent for how legacy newspapers can adapt and flourish in the digital age. This partnership reflects a broader vision for a media landscape where local journalism is not only preserved but empowered to grow, supported by the communities it serves and the innovative models developed by organizations like the Tiny News Collective.
Located at 209 W. El Paso Street in Marfa, the Big Bend Sentinel, along with its sister publication, The Presidio International, remains committed to its role as an essential source of news and information, now bolstered by this pioneering partnership that promises to bring local journalism in Far West Texas into a new era of sustainability and community engagement.
