Help us meet the challenge of telling our stories in 2017

On December 19, 2016, Knight Foundation announced a tremendous opportunity for local news organizations across the country, including The Rapidian. For one month, until January 19, 2017, Knight Foundation will match donations from individual donors to select nonprofit news organizations up to a total of $1.5 million. Individual organizations will receive up to $25,000 in matching funds.

“Successful journalism organizations need a passionate, dedicated community of supporters. That’s why Knight is backing organizations that run successful campaigns,” Knight wrote in an announcement of its News Match.

At The Rapidian, our passion is providing community members with the tools, techniques and training they need to tell their own stories. The platform allows interested individual community journalists and nonprofit organizations to register for a free account and begin sharing their stories.

Recently, The Rapidian has shared powerful stories written by members of the community. Last week, community journalist Katie Gordon wrote a piece titled “Stories of hope: Getting to know our neighbors in 2016.”

“This coming year, we remain committed to providing opportunities to build bridges of understanding and cooperation across our community, and we aim to be a beacon of hope in an otherwise discouraging climate of division,” Gordon wrote. Her story provided a sense of hope as well as actionable steps we can all take to bridge divides and build community.

Also last week, community members learned about the important work being done through the Cook Library Scholars program in a piece titled “Cook Library Scholars supports community, becomes second family.” This story shed light on the emotional support the center offers to families and just how critical these services are. The story offered the perspective of a 13-year-old young woman whose favorite subject is geology.

“The Cook Library Center has not just been a place of healing for Jeronimo Lucas, but for their entire family,” author Allison Palm wrote in the story.

Another important recent story was written by community journalist Amy Carpenter-Leugs previewing the Royal Opening of the Grand Rapids African-American Museum and Archives. This is an important community resource and asset to Grand Rapids. The museum was highlighted through the storytelling of a community journalist who attended a Rapidian workshop to learn about tools available to her and all others interested.

It is now more important than ever before that members of our community feel empowered to tell the stories of their families, neighborhoods, schools, gathering places and organizations in their own voices. The Rapidian is a place to share those stories.

The Rapidian relies on the contributions of members of the community to continue operating. With Knight’s announcement December 19, your support will be doubled.

In order to participate, please visit therapidian.org/donate. Knight will match the donation up to $1,000. You can also spread the word on Twitter and Facebook using #newsmatch. Follow the campaign on Twitter at #newsmatch.

Thank you for helping us power several more years of community journalism.