Support The Circle

Independent Native journalism exists because readers make it possible.

The Circle has covered Native American news, arts, and culture since 1980. We have no tribal affiliation, no corporate ownership, and no paywall. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom run by and for the Native community. Everything we publish is free to read. Everything we do depends on readers like you.

Years of independent Native journalism

Monthly readers at peak print circulation

Free distribution sites across Minnesota

0 +

Why Matters

Native stories told by Native journalists, on Native terms.

For 45 years, The Circle has covered the stories that mainstream media ignores, misrepresents, or flattens into stereotypes. Tribal sovereignty disputes. Treaty rights cases. The health crises unfolding on reservation and in urban communities. The artists, educators, and leaders building something new. The elders holding something ancient.

We are not a tribal newspaper. We have no government affiliation. Our editorial independence is the foundation of our credibility, and our credibility is what makes this work matter. When The Circle reports on a federal pipeline permit or a state consultation failure, tribal nations, legal advocates, and policymakers pay attention because they know we are not speaking for any one government or faction. We are speaking for the community.

That independence has a cost. It means we do not have a tribal budget behind us. We do not have a corporate owner underwriting our losses. We exist because readers, donors, and foundations believe that independent Native journalism is worth funding. We are asking you to be part of that.

“The Circle was where we found ourselves reflected honestly. Not as a problem to be solved or a story to be explained to outsiders. As a community with a full and complicated life.”

Long-time reader, Red Lake Nation, Minnesota

Editorial independence

No tribal affiliation. No corporate ownership. No advertiser influence over editorial decisions. The Circle’s reporters and editors make all content decisions independently. Funders are acknowledged publicly but have no editorial input.

Native voices, Native perspectives

The majority of our reporting staff are enrolled citizens of tribal nations. We cover Native communities as they are, not as outsiders imagine them. We do not require a non-Native frame of reference to tell our stories.

No paywall, ever

Every story we publish is free to read. We believe access to quality journalism should not depend on the ability to pay a subscription fee. That commitment requires donor support to sustain.

Accountability journalism

We investigate. We file FOIA requests. We cover federal court proceedings that affect tribal sovereignty. We do the work that takes time, resources, and institutional support. Reader donations fund that work directly.

Our Impact in 2025

Original stories published, all free to read

Investigations with documented policy or legal outcomes

Minnesota tribal nations regularly cited our coverage

Founded. Still independent. Still here.

Other ways to give

Beyond monthly giving

Advertising & sponsorship

Reach an engaged, educated Native American readership. The Circle offers display advertising, sponsored content, event sponsorship, and newsletter sponsorship. Our audience includes tribal government staff, attorneys, educators, health professionals, and community leaders across Minnesota and nationally.

Magazine subscription

Subscribe to The Circle and have our print magazine delivered directly to your mailbox, featuring Native news, arts, photography, culture, and perspectives. Copies are also distributed free of charge at select community locations, events, and partner organizations throughout Minnesota while supplies last. Your subscription helps support independent Native journalism and the continued work of The Circle.

Planned giving & major gifts

Leaving a legacy gift to The Circle ensures independent Native journalism continues for the next generation. We also welcome conversations about major gifts, endowment contributions, and multi-year commitments that allow us to plan long-term investigative projects. Contact our executive director to discuss.

Transparency

Who funds The Circle

As a nonprofit newsroom, we believe donors have a right to know who funds our journalism. Below is a list of our major institutional funders for the current fiscal year. All funders are acknowledged publicly. None have editorial input of any kind. Individual donor names are kept confidential unless donors request public recognition.

Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund

State grant · FY 2026

$85,000

First Nations Development Institute

Foundation grant · FY 2026

$60,000

Otto Bremer Trust

Foundation grant · FY 2025–2026

$50,000

Institute for Nonprofit News

Network support · FY 2026

$25,000

Individual donors (450+)

Reader support · FY 2026

$112,000

Documents

Financial transparency

We publish our Form 990, audited financial statements, and editorial independence policy publicly. If you have questions about our finances or governance, contact our board of directors directly.

2025 Form 990

IRS annual return, nonprofit tax filing

2025 Audited Financial Statements

Independent audit by Eide Bailly LLP

Editorial Independence Policy

How we separate funding from editorial decisions

Board of Directors

Current board members and terms

2025 Annual Report

Year in review, impact, and financials