Good news ... in these times?!

When I first put writing this announcement on my to-do list a few weeks ago, I imagined something pretty straightforward. Some good news. A quick update. A moment to celebrate growth at The 51st and what you’re helping us build for D.C.

But a lot has happened in our city — and in the country — since then. And the conditions around this news feel sharper, heavier, and more urgent than when I started. I know I’m not alone in this feeling. There’s a growing sense of alarm about the direction things are moving, alongside a very real question many of us are holding: What can I do that is actually helpful?

Our team's good news hasn’t changed. But the moment we’re living through underscores why we’re doing this work — and how we’re trying to do it differently.

Without further ado: The 51st has received a loan from the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund (DC SELF), D.C.’s branch of Seed Commons, a cooperatively-governed national community development fund and nonprofit financial organization. Because of this loan, we now have two more full-time staff: director of operations and finance, Eric Falquero — who quite literally holds this place together — and … me, your director of growth and engagement. 

I say “your” intentionally here. What motivated me to be a part of launching The 51st was this strong belief that local news can and should be something other than what we so often see failing us. Something that improves the lives of everyday people like you, and that you and your neighbors are invested in for decades to come. The traditional business models — those that chase profit and scale at all costs — haven’t been working to sustain the independent local journalism we need.

Seed Commons represents a real alternative. They’re a network of cooperatives and community-led organizations that believe capital should serve people, rather than extract profits. Their loan allows us to grow The 51st without compromising our values, without chasing returns for investors, and without turning our readers into a product we’re selling.

For our team, DC SELF is a vision of a better world. Why we’re so excited:

• We’ve doubled the size of our full-time staff to four people earlier than would be possible with fundraising alone. After first investing in our journalists last year, we've now strengthened our business side so we’re equipped to take on our ambitious plans for this year!
• The repayment terms are flexible: Our loan officer (shoutout to Bianca at BCI!) has been clear that they’re focused on The 51st’s success first.
• As we pay back our loan, both the principal and simple interest will go back into DC SELF, to fund other cooperative businesses around D.C.

D.C. is overflowing with people who do not want to live under authoritarianism, who care deeply about our neighbors’ safety — and who are navigating fear, disillusionment, and exhaustion alongside a stubborn commitment to keep showing up anyway. Building a local newsroom for this home we share means taking that reality seriously and empowering you with the information you need to do exactly that: Show up. Care for each other. Make it through as much as possible, together. 

It’s because of the support we’ve already received from the community that DC SELF / Seed Commons felt confident to approve our request for this loan. They were impressed that 67% of our funding comes from readers like you — and they believe that this loan will empower us to keep growing sustainably so we can pay it back over the next four years. Want to help us do that? Join as a member today to keep our independent local news growing strong!

I’m always curious to hear your thoughts, questions, and feedback as we continue to achieve our goals together. You can email me here.

With so much care, gratitude, and determination,

Maddie Poore,
Co-founder + Director of Growth and Engagement, The 51st