This week we’re reflecting on the one-year anniversary of the DCist shutdown. In just 12 months, we’ve built something special: a publication that’s independent, rooted in the community, and driven by the belief that local news should be accountable to the people it serves. We couldn’t have done it without you — and we can’t continue to do it without you.
We need 95 new members to join by Friday to meet our goal of 2,500 paying members and keep our fundraising on track for the year.
This anniversary of DCist’s untimely end arrives as our city is facing a crisis. Thousands of federal workers are experiencing mass layoffs. We’re seeing the impact firsthand at The 51st. We’ve already heard from more than a dozen members in the last few weeks who have had to cancel their subscriptions due to job loss related to the current admin. We know it’ll require a community-effort to keep D.C. residents empowered, safe, and supported. That’s why we’re committed to:
Coverage that centers D.C. and those who call it home — telling the stories of local impacted federal workers and reporting on the reverberating consequences that are uniquely felt in our city.
Compiling and sharing resources — gathering community-driven offers of discounts and resources for federal workers, plus mutual aid efforts to give and receive help broadly in D.C.
Offering a free year of membership to laid-off federal workers who cannot afford to join right now — it’s a small offering, but we want to ensure that you can remain plugged in at this time. (If that's you, click here)
We can’t do this alone. Right now, we need those who can step up to do so. If you believe in the work we’re doing — if you want to help ensure that The 51st can continue providing essential reporting, pay-wall free journalism and an independent local news presence in D.C.— please join as a member today.
Every membership, at any level, makes a difference. It allows us to keep showing up for this city, for the people who need us, and for a future where independent journalism in D.C. isn’t just surviving, but thriving.
With your help, we pursue stories that hold leaders to account, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home. Put simply, our mission is to make it easier — and more fun — to live in the District. Our members help keep local news free and independent for all:
