Transparency Policies

Editorial Independence Policy

The Appeal subscribes to standards of editorial independence adopted by the Institute for Nonprofit News:

The Appeal retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services or opinions.

We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities, but our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support.

The Appeal may consider donations to support the coverage of particular topics, but our organization maintains editorial control of the coverage. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.

The Appeal publicly thanks and makes public all donors who give a total of $2,000 or more per year. We will accept anonymous donations for general support only if it is clear that sufficient safeguards have been put into place that the expenditure of that donation is made independently by our organization and in compliance with INN’s Membership Standards. We will not accept donations of $500 or more from government entities, political parties, elected officials, or candidates actively seeking public office.

Donor Transparency Policy

The Appeal is 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.

As a nonprofit newsroom, we accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects.

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 or edit content.

We make public all revenue sources and donors who give $2,000 or more per year. We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our Staff Collective, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence.