La Voz de Guanacaste—an independent, bilingual regional media outlet with over 20 years of experience—has launched an urgent fundraising campaign today: Don’t Let La Voz Disappear. The nonprofit organization is facing one of the most critical moments in its history: the imminent risk of shutting down operations due to defunding caused by the withdrawal of international funding.
“We need to tell you something we never thought we’d have to say: La Voz de Guanacaste is at risk of closing,” says the video accompanying the launch of the campaign. “If we don’t manage to raise $10,000 with your help before August 30, we will have to close. And when we say ‘close,’ we mean it literally: no more newsletters, no more investigations, no more reliable regional journalism.”
La Voz began in 2002 as La Voz de Nosara, committed to investigative, serious, verified journalism deeply rooted in the communities of the Guanacaste province. Since then, it has published in-depth reports exposing the effects of uncontrolled urban growth, the housing shortage in Guanacaste, and the tragic stories of slow deaths due to chronic kidney disease among farm workers.
For nearly 20 years, La Voz de Guanacaste printed and distributed its newspaper throughout the province and the Greater Metropolitan Area. During the pandemic, it transitioned to a fully digital platform.
In 2015, La Voz became a nonprofit organization with diverse sources of funding—such as philanthropy, service sales, advertising, and international grants—committed to independent journalism with a single mission: to inform the communities of Guanacaste, not to generate profit. All revenue is reinvested in the organization.
However, the shutdown of many international organizations that used to support independent media has severely threatened its sustainability.
How to Support
Anyone can support this campaign by visiting www.vozdeguanacaste.com/en/donate, or by donating via SINPE Móvil at 84702648 or by making a bank transfer to BCR account IBAN: CR32015201001032580094.
If any of our stories ever helped you understand Guanacaste better, made you feel closer to this province, or you simply value journalism done responsibly, now is the time to support us,” says the La Voz team.
In addition to journalism, La Voz de Guanacaste organizes workshops, exhibitions, fairs, and other activities that promote citizen engagement, especially among vulnerable populations.
A Call to Businesses to Become Matching Partners
As part of the campaign, La Voz is seeking up to four visionary companies to join as matching partners, each contributing $2,500 to match the donations made by readers and the audience.
Businesses interested in becoming matching partners can contact Ana Margarita Quesada Ortega directly at [email protected].
Coopeguanacaste is the first to step forward, demonstrating its cooperative’s commitment to the Guanacaste communities and investigative journalism.
We support La Voz de Guanacaste because we firmly believe in the value of local, independent, high-quality journalism. Their work strengthens democracy and gives a voice to communities that deserve to be heard,” said Daniela Aiza Chavarría, Head of Corporate Communications at Coopeguanacaste, R.L.
In addition to the social impact of saving the region’s investigative journalism outlet, businesses that join as matching partners will receive brand exposure valued at more than $5,000 throughout the campaign, which runs through July and August.
Recognized Journalism
The journalistic and organizational work of La Voz de Guanacaste has received regional, national, and international recognition. Notable awards include:
- 2023 – Award for best journalistic content on children and adolescents in regional media for the collaborative investigative project Migrant Childhood: What is it like to grow up in a country where you weren’t born?, awarded by UNICEF and PANI.
- 2020 – National Award Jorge Vargas Gené/Óscar Cordero for the cross-border investigation Drawn Border.
- 2020 – Ortega y Gasset International Journalism Award for best investigation for the collaborative report Transnationals of Faith.
- 2020 – Fetisov Journalism Award in the category of Contribution to Civil Rights for the collaborative report Migrants from Another World.
- 2018 – Honorable Mention, National Journalism Award Pío Víquez.
2018 – Ángela Acuña Braun National Award for Gender Equality and Equity.
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