Today, Apartment613 is celebrating 16 years of telling Ottawa’s stories — stories mostly written by our incredible volunteer contributors, for and about the community we love.
What began over a decade ago as a grassroots blog, quickly became a trusted source for local arts, culture, and community coverage. As a registered, not-for-profit, we remain mostly volunteer-powered, supported by a small but dedicated team of part-time staff working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.
Whether it’s amplifying an emerging artist, previewing an indie theatre production, reviewing a new neighbourhood café, or spotlighting community events, Apt613 exists to reflect and uplift the creative energy of this city. If you’re reading this, chances are you believe in that mission too.
The truth is: we need your support to keep going. Today, on our 16th birthday, we’re inviting you to be part of our next chapter.
As local newsrooms have shrunk and many community newspapers have closed, Ottawa’s local stories are increasingly going untold, and many arts and culture producers aren’t getting the visibility they deserve and need. Apt613 has always stepped in to fill this gap. With your support, we’re ready to keep up with our commitment to highlighting local stories and expand our impact.
Why now? Over the past two years, Apt613 has undergone important changes. We transitioned from an operational board to a governance structure, welcomed new staff, and engaged in community conversations about what it will take to move forward. We continue to hear a strong call from both the arts sector and our readers for our positive, amplifying stories, and we receive so many more great story ideas directly from the community that we want to get out there.
We primarily rely on advertising and are fortunate to have received grants for specific projects. But project grants and advertising alone are not enough to sustain the level of coverage our community deserves, or to grow the organization in a sustainable way.
If you’ve ever read an Apt613 article, found weekend plans through our Weekend Roundup, pitched a story, or simply appreciated seeing your neighbourhood initiatives reflected online, we hope you’ll consider supporting us.
How can you support us? Right now, one-time donations are the most impactful ways you can help. Every dollar goes directly to fuelling local storytelling, supporting creatives, and keeping this community-powered platform thriving. You’ll be helping us:
- Pay our staff fairly, create new opportunities for team members, and find ways to compensate volunteers
- Expand coverage across all corners of Ottawa
- Prioritize diverse voices and perspectives in our storytelling
- Build a more resilient and sustainable future for independent local media
In addition to a one-time donation, you can also support us through monthly contributions on Patreon, starting as low as $2 a month. In 2022, we launched our first-ever Patreon campaign after the pandemic hit us hard, like many community-driven projects. We are fortunate to have kept going, fuelled by the sector’s strong need to have stories shared and by an audience eager to connect with what’s happening around town.
If donating isn’t possible right now, there are other ways you can support us:
- Reading and sharing our content with friends
- Following us on social media (@apt613)
- Supporting the businesses and organizations you see on our platform
- Whitelisting Apt613.ca if you use an ad blocker
This birthday, we’re not just looking back; we’re looking ahead.
They say 16 is a true coming of age. We’re imagining a more connected, inclusive, and creative city, and a platform that continues to grow alongside it, serving the needs of the community.
Thank you for being part of the Apt613 community. Here’s to another year. We hope to connect with you soon!
Any remarks or questions? Let us know by emailing community@apt613.ca.
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