Support the Indiana Daily Student Legacy Fund
The Indiana Daily Student has shaped and empowered student journalists for more than 150 years. Now more than ever, we need your help.
We rely on outside contributions in order to continue serving as a learning lab for student journalists to learn their craft and tell the important stories of the IU and Bloomington communities. Your gift to the Indiana Daily Student Legacy Fund ensures the financial viability of our editorial operations for the IDS and Arbutus yearbook for years to come — from wages for editors and reporters to conference registration fees to other costs associated with the student media experience.
Donate NowJoin the IDS Legacy Fund Insiders community
Our IDS Insiders community encourages recurring contributions to the IDS Legacy Fund. Your gift demonstrates your investment in award-winning student journalism. To show our gratitude to those who make a financial contribution, IDS Insiders will receive special recognition and access to exclusive programming and events. Plus, your contribution is 100% tax deductible as a charitable contribution.
IDS Insider
Starting at $10/month-
IDS sticker
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Receive IDS Legacy Fund Insiders email
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Join a Zoom call with IDS management each semester
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at an IDS staff meeting
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Invitation to annual in-person reception every fall
Legacy Fund FAQs
What expenses does the IDS Legacy Fund support?
Per the donor agreement, the IDS Legacy Fund is used for general support of the IDS.
In FY26, we’re using it for student salaries, travel, and general operating expenses specific to the IDS. The donor agreement is flexible enough to support a wide variety of expenses as the fund grows and the publication’s financial needs evolve.
Who decides how the IDS Legacy Fund is spent?
The director of student media is responsible for identifying opportunities for use of the fund that align with both donor intent and organizational needs and priorities.
How are IDS Legacy Funds dispersed?
The fund operates through a reimbursement process, which serves as an internal audit to ensure expenditures are within the approved donor intent. Expenses are first incurred and then reimbursed.
Why was the IDS operating at a deficit
if there was money in the IDS Legacy Fund?
The fund received a major gift in July 2025, providing the opportunity to expand its use. As of Oct. 15, 2025, fiscal officers had not received any requests or direction from the IDS to apply the IDS Legacy Fund to any new expenditures in light of this new gift.
On Oct. 16, the interim director of student media directed fiscal officers to develop a short-term plan to apply the funds to current expenses until a director of student media is appointed. We anticipate the revised strategy for the fund will offset the organization's projected FY26 deficit.
We will continue to monitor the fund alongside the IDS’s financials and will adjust as appropriate, relying on input from the interim and future director of student media.
Fundraising Disclosure
To further our goal of financial sustainability, the Indiana Daily Student will continue to seek grants and other forms of external funding. Because these avenues of financial support are often focused on specific areas of coverage, this policy will affirm our commitment to editorial independence in our reporting and to transparency in our funding.