How Donating to The Bulletin Works

Updated

The Bulletin (esubulletin.com), Emporia State University's student news outlet, accepts voluntary donations through a donation module on its site. The page shows a fundraising progress bar — currently displaying $710 raised toward a $500 goal — and states that contributions go toward equipment purchases, website hosting costs, and continuing to serve readers. Stripe appears as the payment platform signal on the page. Donating is a voluntary way to support student media operations; the site does not describe a subscription model or paywall tied to giving.

What the donation page shows

The donation widget on The Bulletin's homepage presents three pieces of information:

  • A progress bar with a raised amount and a goal amount. The current figures are $710 contributed against a $500 goal, meaning the campaign has surpassed its stated target.
  • A stated purpose: "Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment, keep up with our website hosting costs and most of all, continue serving you."
  • A Donate button that leads to the payment flow.

Stripe is the payment platform associated with the site, which typically means card payments are processed through Stripe's checkout rather than a custom form.

What the money is used for

According to the donation module itself, contributions support three things:

  1. Equipment — cameras, recorders, computers, or other tools student journalists use.
  2. Website hosting — the cost of keeping esubulletin.com online.
  3. Continued service to readers — the general operating cost of producing and publishing coverage.

The wording is deliberately broad ("most of all, continue serving you"), so the page does not break down exact percentages or line items. If you want a precise accounting, that detail is not published in the donation module.

What donating is not

  • It is not a subscription. The Bulletin's content is not described as gated behind payment. Nothing on the page indicates that donating unlocks articles, removes a paywall, or changes what you can read.
  • It is not required to access the site. The donation ask is framed as voluntary support, not a membership fee.
  • It is not a tax-deduction claim. The page does not state charitable or tax status, so don't assume a deduction without checking with the outlet directly.

How to actually donate

  1. Go to esubulletin.com.
  2. Locate the donation module (the progress bar with the "Donate to The Bulletin" label and the Donate button).
  3. Click Donate.
  4. Complete the payment through the Stripe-powered checkout.
  5. The progress bar should reflect your contribution, though the page does not specify how quickly it updates.

Common questions

Is there a minimum or suggested amount? The page does not state one. The progress bar shows a $500 goal, but no per-donation minimum is published.

Can I donate if I'm not affiliated with Emporia State? Nothing on the page restricts donations to students, alumni, or staff. The ask is addressed to readers generally.

What if the goal is already exceeded? The current display shows $710 against a $500 goal. The page does not say whether donations close once the goal is met, so the campaign may continue accepting contributions.

Where do I go for questions about a donation? The page does not list a donation-specific contact. The outlet's editorial masthead (Editor-in-Chief Isabel Ayala is named in recent bylines) would be the starting point for inquiries.

The bottom line

Donating to The Bulletin is a straightforward, voluntary payment through a Stripe checkout, with proceeds earmarked for equipment, hosting, and general operations. There is no paywall, no subscription, and no published minimum. If you want to support student journalism at Emporia State, the Donate button on the homepage is the entry point — and the progress bar gives you a rough sense of how the campaign is tracking.