How Readers Can Support SM2 Financially

Updated

SM2 accepts voluntary financial contributions through a "Support SM2" section on its website. The stated purpose is specific: contributions let SM2 purchase equipment and cover its annual website hosting costs. The site shows Stripe as a payment platform, so the contribution is made online. This is a donation to a student publication, not a subscription, membership, or product purchase, and nothing on the site indicates that contributing unlocks content or changes what readers can access.

What the Contribution Is For

SM2 describes two uses for the money:

  • Equipment purchases for the publication's editorial work.
  • Annual website hosting costs, which keep the site online.

The site does not publish a budget breakdown, funding goal, or list of specific equipment. If you want to know exactly how a given amount would be spent, that detail is not available on the page.

How to Contribute

  1. Go to sm2media.com and look for the "Support SM2" prompt, which appears near the top of the homepage above the main story listings.
  2. Follow the contribution link to the payment step.
  3. Enter your payment details through the Stripe checkout and confirm the amount.

The expected result is a one-time online payment processed by Stripe. The site does not state whether contributions are tax-deductible, whether receipts are issued, or whether recurring donations are offered, so treat those as unconfirmed until SM2 says otherwise.

What to Check Before You Pay

  • Amount and frequency: confirm on the checkout screen whether you are making a single payment or setting up a recurring one.
  • Refunds: no refund policy is published, so a completed contribution should be treated as final.
  • Recognition: the site does not describe donor acknowledgments, tiers, or naming opportunities.

Other Ways to Support SM2

Financial contribution is one option. SM2 is a student publication at the University of Southern Mississippi, and its coverage—news, sports, opinion, features, and podcasts such as Southern Miss Today—depends on readers engaging with it. Reading and sharing stories, or responding to coverage, supports the publication without any payment. Students interested in writing, editing, or production can inquire with SM2 directly about contributing work, though the site does not post an open application process.

Who This Is For

Contributing makes sense if you are a USM student, alum, or Hattiesburg-area reader who values independent student journalism and wants to help cover the practical costs of running it. If you are looking for a subscription with perks, an archive paywall, or merchandise, SM2 does not present its support option that way.