We want you to own Positive News

Positive News is converting into a cooperative and invites readers to buy ‘community shares’ during a 30-day crowdfunding campaign

We love news that inspires us. And we know you do too. For the last 22 years we’ve pioneered journalism that shines a light on kindness, cooperation, creativity, innovation and how people are creating solutions to the problems society faces. We’ve brought stories of positive change to hundreds of thousands of people and increasingly, we’re inspiring other media as well.

But, like every news organisation, we have to adapt. We need to innovate to become financially sustainable and to meet the growing demand for our journalism. And just like we’ve pioneered a more positive form of journalism, we’re now pioneering a new way to run a media business.

Much of the news media is owned by a handful of corporations and proprietors. Instead, by becoming a cooperative, Positive News will be owned by hundreds or thousands of people. We will then be ultimately accountable to you, our readers, ensuring that we always report in your interests.

We’re becoming the first crowdfunded global media cooperative. And we want you to be part of it.

Community shares

Between now and 8 July, our readers, journalists, supporters and everyone around the world (provided they’re age 16 or over) can buy shares in Positive News. By converting into a cooperative and issuing community shares, we aim to raise a minimum of £200,000 to secure and grow the organisation.

Community shares differ from other investments in that they are primarily a social investment – a way for you to financially support our mission, while being a co-owner of our organisation with a say in how it is run.

“Because we’re a cooperative, our profits will be reinvested in achieving the aims of Positive News and serving you, our community.”

Whatever amount you invest, every shareholder will have one equal vote on things like electing the board of directors who will represent your interests and oversee the operation of the publication, meaning it’s a more democratic form of ownership. And because we’re a cooperative, our profits will be reinvested in achieving the aims of Positive News and serving you, our community.

Most importantly, you get to be a proprietor of the kind of media that you want. Only you will have the power to amend the Positive News Charter, which will govern what our news values are and how we strive to put them into practice.

Depending on the reward level you choose when you invest, you can get your hands on some amazing extras, including a 100% organic cotton #OwnTheMedia t-shirt (or two!), a ticket to our relaunch party, your name on the supporters’ wall online, a personalised Positive News cover, and even an exclusive breakfast meeting with our patron Martyn Lewis. Rewards are limited, so make sure to get in quick.

How will the money be used?

Your investment will help cover our costs while we develop a new website, relaunch our print publication, expand our core team and build the audience and the income streams that will sustain us in the long-term.

Although there’s no guarantee we will pull it off, we believe this will be the making of Positive News as we move from a niche publication to something much more influential. All we need is you.

Together, we can change the news for good. We hope you will join us.

We are inviting our readers to #OwnTheMedia. Become an owner now and help us become the first crowdfunded global media cooperative.