Want to Support Congress Heights on the Rise? Here’s How.
Every so often, a CHotR reader asks me a question that I’m always incredibly grateful to hear:
“How can I financially support Congress Heights on the Rise besides advertising?”
The short answer is: You absolutely can. And thank you for asking.
Congress Heights on the Rise has been around since 2008, sharing news, events, resources, opportunities, small business updates, and what's happening across Wards 7 and 8 that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
And that focus is intentional.
Ward 7 and Ward 8 are my focus. For me, that's the obvious choice. These communities deserve dedicated, consistent coverage and a platform that makes sure residents know what is happening in their neighborhoods—from new businesses and community meetings to grants, jobs, events, development, resources, and opportunities.
But that choice comes with an economic reality.
By focusing primarily on Wards 7 and 8, CHotR doesn't always have access to the deeper advertising and marketing pockets of larger businesses, corporations, and institutions disproportionately based west of the river.
That makes every advertiser who chooses CHotR—and every reader who chooses to support it—even more important.
What Does It Cost to Run CHotR?
While CHotR works with businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and others through paid advertising and sponsored content, keeping an independent community news platform running costs money.
There are the obvious expenses—and plenty of not-so-obvious ones.
CHotR expenses include website hosting and maintenance, domain and technology costs, email newsletter services, software subscriptions, graphic design and content tools, photography and equipment, printing and promotional materials, transportation to community events and meetings, and the occasional emergency tech fix when the website decides to have a personality of its own.
And, of course, there is the biggest investment: time.
Reading and responding to emails. Researching and writing posts. Creating graphics. Updating the website. Producing the newsletter. Promoting community events. Sharing resources. Answering questions. Attending meetings and events. Connecting residents with organizations and businesses—and sometimes connecting organizations and businesses with each other.
CHotR Also Gives Back
Another part of CHotR that readers may not always see.
I regularly provide pro bono marketing and promotional assistance to nonprofits and small business owners who simply don't have a marketing budget or the financial resources to promote their work.
Sometimes that means helping someone write or polish an announcement. Sometimes it means creating a graphic, promoting an event, helping with messaging, or figuring out how to get important information in front of the people who need to see it.
And sometimes it simply means donating advertising on CHotR.
If a small business, nonprofit, neighborhood organization, or community project is doing something I believe residents should know about but doesn't have the money to buy advertising, I will sometimes provide the advertising space at no charge.
Sometimes the people doing really good work also have the smallest marketing budgets.
If I believe something is good for the community and I can help, I try to help—even when there isn't a budget attached.
So when you financially support CHotR, you aren't just helping pay a website bill. You are also helping make it possible for CHotR to continue giving some of that support back to small businesses, nonprofits, and community projects that may not otherwise have the resources to market themselves.
CHotR has always been a labor of love, but unfortunately, web hosting companies do not currently accept love as payment. I have checked. 😉
Want to Contribute?
If CHotR has helped you discover an event, find a resource, learn about a new business, stay informed about something happening in your neighborhood—or if you simply believe independent community platforms like CHotR are worth supporting—you are welcome to make a financial contribution.
There are plenty of ways to do it—digital and otherwise:
Cash App
Venmo
PayPal
Square
Zelle
And yes, CHotR also accepts good old-fashioned checks and money orders, as well as wire transfers. If you would like to contribute using one of those methods, please contact me directly for the appropriate mailing or banking information.
Give $5. Give $10. Give $25. Give whatever feels comfortable. There is absolutely no obligation, and CHotR content will remain available regardless of whether you contribute.
Please note: Contributions to Congress Heights on the Rise are not tax-deductible. CHotR is not a nonprofit organization, so these are voluntary contributions in support of the site's operation and its community-focused work.
Advertising Helps, Too!
For businesses and organizations that want to support CHotR while also getting their message in front of our readers, advertising remains one of the best ways to do that.
I have intentionally tried to keep CHotR advertising affordable and accessible, particularly for the small businesses, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations that make up so much of our community.
In fact, I haven't increased CHotR's advertising rates in two years.
As everyone knows, the cost of just about everything has gone up during that time, including many of the services and tools required to keep CHotR running. So I am currently working on a modest update to CHotR's advertising rates, which should be ready and published within the next few days.
Even with the increase, my goal remains the same: keep CHotR advertising affordable while ensuring the platform remains sustainable—and maintain the flexibility to help organizations and entrepreneurs who genuinely cannot afford to advertise.
CHotR offers advertising and sponsored-content opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, schools, events, community organizations, and others looking to reach residents east of the river and throughout DC.
Whether you advertise, make a contribution, forward the newsletter, share a CHotR post, send me a news tip, or simply keep reading—you are supporting this little community platform that has somehow been doing its thing since 2008.
And I appreciate it more than you know.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for supporting our small businesses and nonprofits. And thank you for continuing to support Congress Heights on the Rise.
— Nikki Peele, The Advoc8te
Founder & Publisher
Congress Heights on the Rise