Wyoming nonprofit media organizations raise funds from beer sales and donations at Coal Creek Tap.
Wednesday Coal Creek Tap will host a fundraiser organized by Wyoming WyoFile. One dollar from every glass of beer purchased in the bar will go to the WyoFile fund.
“On Wednsday, whoever comes in the bar from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and buys beer will donate a dollar to WyoFile,” community engagement manager of WyoFile, Samantha Case, said.
Coal Creek Tap organizes fundraising events on a regular basis for organizations in the community.
“Coal Creek Tap uses their regular fundraisers for different organizations in the community. They put on these events and give organizations a chance to come in and raise money during two or three hours,” Case said. “So, we approach WyoFile for an opportunity to have a fundraising event at Coal Creek Tap.”
According to the website, WyoFile is an independent, nonprofit media organization, with major concentration in the people, places and policies of Wyoming. It was founded in early 2008 as an online platform for a small group of veteran journalists. Their mission is identified as in-depth reporting for informing and engaging the Wyoming community.
“WyoFile is a state-wide, independent and in-depth news outlet in Wyoming. We want to come to Laramie to engage with the community, which is not aware of WyoFile. Especially the youth of the community, which could benefit from our job, but don’t know about our organization,” Case said. “We just want to share the information about the organization with people.”
The fundraising event at Coal Creek Tap is meant to promote independent journalism in Laramie.
“Whatever we raise will just continue, it will go to continue to support in-depth journalism in the state. Talking about Laramie in particular, it’s going to help with stories that are focused on the town,” Case said.
WyoFile is in a fund-matching period now, which means that every dollar they raise at Coal Creek Tap will be donated equally.
“We hope people will donate money to WyoFile outside of buying beer,” Case said. “WyoFile actually has this opportunity where whatever we raise at the event will be matched by a different organization. So, if someone donates $50, WyoFile will get $100.”
WyoFile expects to raise about $1,000 during the event.
“We expect about 20 to 30 people to have at our event. And I know that this kind of event at Coal Creek Tap usually raises $500 to $1,000,” Case said.
In order to increase public interest, Tap will be awarding some Coal Creek Tap merchandise to the highest donor of the night.
