Non-profit sponsorship policy

As the most wide-reaching local media in Whatcom County, The Bellingham Herald is in a unique position to support local non-profit organizations through sponsorship with free or discounted advertising space. We believe non-profit organizations and the services they provide are an essential part of Whatcom County and we appreciate all they do for our community.

The Bellingham Herald receives more sponsorship requests from worthwhile organizations than it is able to support. The Community Support Committee meets twice a month to review sponsorship applications. The Bellingham Herald supports a variety of organizations but especially strives to sponsor organizations and events that promote diversity in our community, support literacy, and are major community events benefiting multiple organizations or large numbers of recipients.

Sponsorship guidelines

The Bellingham Herald will only sponsor local, tax-exempt, non-profit organizations that fit the following criteria:

• Organizations must not discriminate based on race, gender, age or creed and must not marginalize any minority in the community. Organizations must directly benefit Whatcom County and address a specific community need. Organizations must channel proceeds of any sponsored event directly to the organization or cause, not to an individual. Organizations must not benefit or promote any political ideology or religious doctrine.

Download the sponsorship request form here.

We prefer you submit your requests three months before the event.

Restrictions

• The Bellingham Herald's agreement to sponsor an organization, event or program does not guarantee news coverage. Submit press releases to news@bellinghamherald.com.
• The Bellingham Herald's most current logo must clearly appear on all promotional materials, including all advertisements and promotional merchandise.
• The Bellingham Herald must be mentioned in all paid broadcast advertising.
• The Bellingham Herald's agreement to sponsor an event or program does not guarantee ad placement, run dates or color. We will honor these special requests if possible.
• The Bellingham Herald will only accept print-ready ads and artwork in the following electronic formats: JPEG, PDF, TIFF and EPS. No Word, Publisher or native files will be accepted.
• There is a maximum of two ad designs over the course of the sponsored ad program unless arranged in advance.