Reader-Funded Local Journalism
Fearless. Local. Loud.
Wake Forest Matters is free to read — no paywall, no corporate owners, no ads dictating coverage. We are funded by neighbors who want independent reporting on Wake Forest town government, schools, development, and community life. If you value the work, you can help keep it going.
How the model works
Every news story stays free for everyone, forever. That is the deal. Wake Forest needs civic information available to every resident regardless of income — not just paid subscribers.
What readers fund is the time it takes to attend every Board of Commissioners meeting, file public records requests, talk to sources, and write the long-form coverage you actually read. A single Board meeting recap is usually 6–8 hours of work. Reader support pays for that time and the hosting, tools, and travel that make it possible.
Free Subscriber
- Every story delivered to your inbox
- Board of Commissioners recaps
- Restaurants, things to do, and community guides
- No paywall, ever
Paid Member
- Everything in Free
- A monthly sustaining membership for the newsroom
- Same access to the journalism — your support keeps it free for everyone
Founding Member
- Everything in Paid Member
- For readers who want to go above and beyond to keep this work going
- Same access to the journalism — bigger thanks from us
Prefer a one-time tip?
If a recurring membership is not your thing, a one-time tip helps just as much. No account required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wake Forest Matters a nonprofit?
Not yet. Wake Forest Matters operates as an LLC. Reader contributions are not tax-deductible at this time. We may apply for 501(c)(3) status in the future.
Where does my money go?
Hosting, email tools, public records request fees, professional liability insurance, and reporting time. We publish an annual transparency report breaking down expenses.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Paid memberships are billed monthly or annually through Substack. You can cancel from your Substack account at any time with no questions asked.
My business wants to sponsor instead. How does that work?
See our sponsorship page. Local businesses can sponsor the newsletter or place a featured listing in our guides starting at $15/month.
I want to help, but I cannot afford it right now.
Subscribing free, sharing stories on social media, and forwarding our newsletter are all real, meaningful support. Not everyone has to pay for this work to keep going.