Where would the world be without nonprofit organizations offering a multitude of services while giving the community a chance to make a difference? The Oceana Echo is excited to announce a new column we plan to feature monthly entitled “Nonprofits in the News.” We will be reaching out to area organizations and asking everyone similar questions to highlight who they are and how they serve others. We are hoping it will provide our readers with a quick overview of each nonprofit’s focus and financial needs. As always, if anyone would like to nominate a nonprofit for this new endeavor, please let us know!
To kick off this new column, we will go first!
What is the official name of your nonprofit? We are Echo Publishing Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, doing business as The Oceana Echo and the White Lake Mirror newspapers.
When were you founded or how long have you been in operation? We started The Oceana Echo in June of 2023, and then we began The White Lake Mirror in November of 2023. We officially became a nonprofit organization in the fall of 2023.
What is your Mission or Vision Statement? The mission of Echo Publishing Inc. is to be a non-profit newspaper publishing news in Oceana and northern Muskegon Counties and dedicated to providing a professional, fair and accurate free weekly local newspaper as a public service to its area. As such, Echo Publishing Inc. desires to create, increase and preserve readership and trust in local print media.
Who is your target audience? We are pleased to provide a free, local weekly newspaper, full of local news and local advertising, to almost every home mailbox in Oceana County and part of the White Lake area in Muskegon County. Free copies are also made available at many business locations across Oceana County and the White Lake area every Friday. Our focus is on uplifting and informative stories for all ages. We have previously provided bilingual stories and intend to continue doing so. Our newspaper is free because we believe that everyone, regardless of their financial situation or abilities, deserves to know what is happening in their community. Additionally, we cannot and will not accept any political advertisements or donations due to IRS regulations.
What specifically would you like the community to know about your organization? This nonprofit was created out of a desire by local folks who wanted to provide robust, local news for free to a community that has given them all so much. Every in-house staff member, board member and almost all of our freelancers live in Oceana County. The past 17 months have been a whirlwind of activity and opportunity, to say the least. The support of this community is literally what has compelled us forward. Without your heartfelt verbal and written support and financial contributions, we would not be where we are today. With the community’s continued desire for local news and continued financial support we intend to continue offering The Oceana Echo and The White Lake Mirror free to local residents long into the future.
In what areas could your organization use the support of the community? We appreciate the many wonderful businesses whose regular advertising helps pay for a portion of the costs of publishing our “free” newspaper week in and week out, as well as special sections and our “Traditions” and “All Access” magazines. However, advertising is only one way The Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror are funded. As a nonprofit, we are able to accept tax-deductible donations in any amount, and we are also working on grant writing and sponsorships. This week was the first time we have not received any donations towards our Lead this Legacy fundraising campaign. We know that our ask is high, yet very soon we will have delivered 1,000,000 issues for free to our readership and we are placing a valuation on that of at least $1 per issue. It costs us on average $4,000 per week (and almost $250,000 annually) to print, publish and mail our newspaper to almost 15,000 homes, and that does not include our in-house costs of paying our staff and utilities. This week, we had just over $2,200 in advertising, so we are operating at a deficit. Some of our employees have gone months without being paid, we have not had a working indoor bathroom since the spring and we are currently in an ongoing lawsuit with another publication. Yet, your generous donations are not going to fund any of those things, but directly towards ensuring that The Oceana Echo and White Lake Mirror are in your mailbox and that of your friends and neighbors every week. We need your support to continue on and graciously ask for your help to continue this gift to our community.
Is there anything your organization is working on to better serve our community? After months of research and development, we have launched our new websites: oceanaecho.com and whitelakemirror.com! Readers are able to go there and enjoy our weekly publications online, search for current and past articles and make donations. We are also continuing to work on our special publications, and are hoping to expand our readership coverage area.
Contact information? We can be reached via email at theoceanaecho@gmail.com for editorial or general inquiries, ads@oceanaecho.com for advertising inquiries, by calling 231-301-8149; or stopping in at the Old Town Hall in Mears on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. We are also very thankful to our many Facebook followers!
