VTDigger

VTDigger is an investigative online newspaper and nonprofit news organization serving Vermont. Founded by journalist Anne Galloway in September 2009, it began with a deliberately focused mission: to report on the state's politics, economy, environment, education, culture, and public policy. Its coverage is oriented toward accountability and public-service journalism rather than a broad commercial newspaper model, and its reporting is frequently used by other Vermont and national news organizations. The organization became part of the nonprofit Vermont Journalism Trust in 2010. That relationship established a structure in which the newsroom could be supported by a combination of public donations, foundation grants, business underwriting, sponsorships, gifts, and organizational membership. VTDigger has also received support from the American Journalism Project. This nonprofit funding model is central to the brand's identity: the organization presents itself as a public resource whose reporting is sustained by readers and philanthropic or institutional support rather than primarily by advertising or subscription revenue. VTDigger's reporting footprint is statewide, with particular emphasis on government, elections, public institutions, health, education, the environment, and economic affairs. Its influence has extended beyond Vermont through coverage of stories involving prominent public figures and institutions. The outlet has been cited by publications including the Burlington Free Press and the New York Times, and it has been described as having built substantial public trust during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Harvard Kennedy School Shorenstein Center and Institute for Nonprofit News case study characterized VTDigger as a rising nonprofit-news operation and examined its development under Galloway's leadership. The newsroom expanded considerably during the 2010s. By 2018, Institute for Nonprofit News material described it as having 19 full-time employees, more than $1.5 million in annual revenue or budget, and approximately 300,000 monthly users. Wikipedia later reported an average monthly audience of about 500,000 and donations of $2.2 million in 2022. These figures indicate the organization's growth, although audience and funding measures may use different definitions and reporting periods. Galloway served as the organization's executive director during its formative and expansion periods. She stepped down from that position in May 2022 and became editor-at-large. Schuyler "Sky" Barsch was named chief executive officer in March 2023 and began in April of that year. During Barsch's tenure, the organization worked to improve its financial stability while also confronting workplace questions about artificial intelligence. VTDigger employees were represented by a union, and negotiations eventually addressed compensation, leave, and the use of AI in newsroom work. The organization announced further leadership changes for 2026, including Barsch's planned departure as CEO and editor-in-chief Geeta Ananda's planned departure, with Sue Allen identified as interim editor. VTDigger's brand position combines local authority, investigative rigor, nonprofit independence, and statewide civic relevance. It is best understood not as a conventional consumer product brand but as a mission-driven digital news institution. Its principal offerings are original reporting, investigations, explanatory journalism, and public-interest coverage distributed through its website and associated digital channels. Awards and recognition, including a 2023 Public Service Award from Local Independent Online News Publishers, have reinforced its standing within the nonprofit and local-news sectors.

VTDigger was established in September 2009 by Anne Galloway as an online publication dedicated to investigative and public-interest reporting in Vermont. Its initial editorial scope included state politics, the economy, environmental issues, education, culture, and public policy. The project emerged during a period when local news organizations were increasingly experimenting with digital and nonprofit models, and it developed a distinct identity around accountability reporting and statewide civic coverage. In 2010, VTDigger merged with the nonprofit Vermont Journalism Trust. The merger gave the publication a formal nonprofit institutional home and enabled it to rely on a diversified support model. Rather than depending primarily on commercial advertising, the organization receives funding from readers, foundations, businesses, sponsors, donors, and organizational members. It has also received backing from the American Journalism Project. This structure has allowed the newsroom to invest in reporting while framing journalism as a public service. During the 2010s, VTDigger grew from a small digital operation into a prominent Vermont news institution. A 2018 Institute for Nonprofit News account described a newsroom with 19 full-time employees, more than $1.5 million in annual budget, and approximately 300,000 monthly users. Later reporting cited an average monthly audience of roughly 500,000. The outlet's stories were regularly cited or republished by other news organizations, including the Burlington Free Press, and its coverage of Vermont political and institutional controversies attracted attention outside the state. The publication's work also became associated with public trust during the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York Times cited VTDigger as an example of a local news organization whose accumulated credibility helped Vermont residents respond to the crisis. Its reporting has covered state government, public agencies, education, the environment, health, elections, and notable legal or political matters. One frequently referenced example involved reporting on testimony before a federal grand jury concerning Burlington College and the role of Jane Sanders, the college's former president and the wife of Senator Bernie Sanders. Galloway remained a central figure in the organization's leadership and was nominated for the Burlington Free Press's Vermonter of the Year Award in 2016. She left the executive director role in May 2022 and continued as editor-at-large. Schuyler "Sky" Barsch was selected as CEO in March 2023 and started in April. Her tenure included efforts to place the organization on a more stable financial footing. It also brought labor discussions over the use of artificial intelligence in newsroom operations. VTDigger employees were represented by a union, and negotiations later produced an agreement addressing wages, leave, and AI-related workplace terms. The organization announced additional leadership transitions in 2026. Barsch indicated that she would step down as CEO on June 1, while editor-in-chief Geeta Ananda announced that she would leave on June 30. Sue Allen was announced as interim editor. These changes occurred alongside continued recognition of VTDigger's public-service role, including a co-winning 2023 award from Local Independent Online News Publishers. VTDigger remains an active Vermont-focused nonprofit digital news brand whose influence rests on investigative reporting, local knowledge, reader trust, and philanthropic and community support.

• 2026

  Leadership and labor transitions

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  The organization announced planned departures by CEO Schuyler Barsch and editor-in-chief Geeta Ananda, while also reaching a union agreement covering pay, leave, and AI use.

• 2023

  Public Service Award recognition

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  VTDigger was named a co-winner of Local Independent Online News Publishers' Public Service Award for the large-revenue tier.

• 2022

  Galloway becomes editor-at-large

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  Anne Galloway stepped down as executive director and assumed the editor-at-large role.

• 2018

  Nonprofit newsroom reaches significant scale

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  Institute for Nonprofit News material described VTDigger as having 19 full-time employees, more than $1.5 million in annual budget, and about 300,000 monthly users.

• 2016

  Founder nominated for Vermonter of the Year

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  Anne Galloway was nominated by the Burlington Free Press for its Vermonter of the Year recognition.

• 2010

  Integration with Vermont Journalism Trust

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  VTDigger merged with the nonprofit Vermont Journalism Trust, establishing its long-term nonprofit support structure.

• 2009

  VTDigger founded

  [1]VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org

  Anne Galloway founded VTDigger in September as an online investigative publication focused on Vermont affairs.

A trusted, independent, nonprofit digital newsroom providing investigative and public-service reporting for Vermont.

• News journalism · 2009

  Investigative reporting

  VTDigger's core offering is original investigative journalism examining Vermont government, institutions, public officials, and matters of statewide concern. The reporting is designed to provide accountability and expose information that may not otherwise receive sustained local coverage.

• News journalism · 2009

  Vermont politics and public policy coverage

  The publication covers state politics, elections, legislation, public administration, and policy debates. This coverage is a major part of its statewide identity and helps readers follow decisions made by Vermont officials and public institutions.

• News journalism · 2009

  Education, environment, and community reporting

  VTDigger reports on education, environmental affairs, the economy, culture, and other issues affecting Vermont communities. These subject areas extend the brand beyond political news and support its broader public-service mission.

• 2026

  Contract terms addressing artificial intelligenceOther

  Background

  VTDigger management and its employee union reached an impasse over workplace terms, including the use of AI in journalism.

  Action taken

  The parties reached a contract agreement covering pay increases, additional days off, and provisions concerning AI use.

  Aftermath

  The agreement established labor terms for the newsroom while the organization was also preparing for senior leadership changes.

  Source

• 2023

  Leadership change under Schuyler BarschStrategy

  Background

  Following Anne Galloway's move from executive director to editor-at-large, VTDigger selected a new chief executive.

  Action taken

  Schuyler "Sky" Barsch was appointed CEO in March and began the role in April.

  Aftermath

  Barsch worked on the organization's financial stability and later oversaw negotiations with the employee union concerning compensation, leave, and artificial intelligence.

  Source

• 2010

  Join the Vermont Journalism TrustM&A

  Background

  VTDigger needed an institutional structure compatible with nonprofit, donor-supported journalism.

  Action taken

  The publication merged with the Vermont Journalism Trust and continued operating within a nonprofit framework.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement enabled support through donations, foundations, business underwriting, sponsorships, gifts, and memberships.

  Source

1. 1VTDiggeren.wikipedia.org
2. 2VTDigger official websitevtdigger.org