The Outlier Collective difference

We are incredibly indebted to readers who support our work with donations — we wouldn’t survive without them. But Outlier is designed to serve the needs of the most vulnerable members of our community, and we believe everyone should be able to participate equally in our community regardless of their ability to pay. 

The Outlier Collective furthers that mission by opening membership to all rather than requiring payment or setting levels and corresponding benefits. This means members can decide whether to make a donation or register without paying. We believe non-paying members can offer their talent, time and experiences to enrich our community. Members who are able to “pay it forward” can take pride in supporting Outlier’s mission while making it possible for fellow residents who can’t afford to pay to join as equal partners in The Outlier Collective.

Support Outlier with a donation

Outlier places Detroiters at the center of the conversation, equipping them with information they need to create change and challenge misinformation and unchecked abuses of power in our city. Our organization serves as a critical source of information for Detroiters, meeting residents where they are to provide resources and news about policies, issues and events that acutely impact their everyday lives.

We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN:87-4775293), and donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS limitations. Our core values of accountability and transparency are lived out in every aspect of our organization, including in our approach to giving. Our organization makes public all donors who give a total of $2,500 or more per year. We avoid accepting anonymous donations in order to demonstrate transparency about our funding. We will not accept donations from sources that present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor, sponsor or partner support. 

Please make checks payable to Outlier Media. Our mailing address is 440 Burroughs St. Ste. 365, Detroit, MI 48202-3473.

If you have questions or need help changing a recurring donation, contact Development Director Chelsea Brown at chelsea@outliermedia.org.

FAQs about the Outlier Collective

How do I become a member of Outlier Media? 

You can become a member by either making a one-time or recurring donation now or signing up for a non-paying membership. If you have made a donation this calendar year you are automatically a member.

Do I have to sign up to be a member every year? 

No. Once you have completed a member profile, you’ll be part of our community. If you have decided to give a monthly donation as part of your membership, please make sure your form of payment is current.

I’m a non-paying member. Are you checking how I contribute to the community? 

No, we believe members will contribute to the community as they see fit. We do hope everyone participates, whether that means attending events, becoming a Documenter, volunteering or sharing our work. 

Why should I pay to become a member when I can register for free? 

We hope those who can afford to make a monthly donation to support the mission of our organization will do so. Outlier is a nonprofit organization that relies on the generosity of community members and funders to make our news service accessible to everyone. 

Can my business or nonprofit organization become a member?

We don’t currently have a membership program for businesses and nonprofits. However, businesses and nonprofits are encouraged to partner with Outlier through advertising or sponsorship. For more information, email candice@outliermedia.org. 

What if I joined Detour Detroit as a member before the merger with Outlier? 

If you are still a Detour member through Memberful, you are automatically part of The Outlier Collective — and we thank you for your support! But we’re asking for your help as we streamline our systems by switching your recurring payment from Memberful to our current donation platform. Here’s how:

1. Sign in to Memberful. If you don’t have a password, Memberful will send a one-click sign-in link to the email you used to register.
2. On the Subscriptions page, select your plan, then select cancel subscription.
3. Set up a new recurring donation of any amount on our site to continue your support for Detour, Outlier and The Outlier Collective. 
4. If you have questions or need help, contact afassett@outliermedia.org. 

We’ve received feedback from our members and we will not automatically cancel memberships in December as we previously said. We’ll be reaching out to you by email and by phone to remind you when your membership is going to renew so that you can switch donation platforms hassle-free.

What if I support Outlier through a recurring donation on Donorbox? 

If you donate through Donorbox, you are automatically a member of The Outlier Collective. We appreciate your ongoing support! Here’s how to change where your monthly donation is processed to help us as we streamline our systems:

1. Go to the Donorbox donor login page and log in to your donor account. If you never set up your account or misplaced your password, please click the “Forgot password” link. 
2. Once you’re logged in, click the white box on the donation plan that you wish to cancel. 
3. Then click the red Cancel Plan button below your donation plan summary. You’ve now canceled your plan. 
4. Next, set up a monthly donation on our site and enter the requested information. You’re all set!