Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
April 15: Isthmus at 50: The Past, Present and Future of Madison’s Alternative Newspaper
--submitted by Joy Cardin
Isthmus editor/president Judith Davidoff and publisher Jason Joyce covered the evolution of the newspaper over the past five decades during their presentation before the Rotary Club of Madison this week - from its founding in 1976 as an alternative weekly to its post-pandemic return as a monthly nonprofit.
While Isthmus was founded as a for profit business, and at its height had a $3-million dollar budget, 35 staff members and a profit-sharing plan, the rise of the internet took its toll. Real estate rentals and personal ads found other digital platforms and the revenue they generated was lost. When the Covid pandemic shut down operations, the owners at the time could not see a way forward. But they supported the efforts of Davidoff and Joyce to restructure as a nonprofit - which they did when they realized the donations of loyal readers could help fund it. Currently, Isthmus has seven employees and a $750,000 annual budget.
A recent survey found Isthmus readers value the paper’s local news, arts and culture coverage, the music and events calendar and other reporting they can't find elsewhere. Davidoff and Joyce plan to keep providing readers with this unique content - and they want it to be a free paper - forever.
Happy 50th Anniversary Isthmus! Here’s to 50 more.
Guest Speakers start at 17:45 minutes.
April 15: Isthmus at 50: The Past, Present and Future of Madison’s Alternative Newspaper
--submitted by Joy Cardin
Isthmus editor/president Judith Davidoff and publisher Jason Joyce covered the evolution of the newspaper over the past five decades during their presentation before the Rotary Club of Madison this week - from its founding in 1976 as an alternative weekly to its post-pandemic return as a monthly nonprofit.
While Isthmus was founded as a for profit business, and at its height had a $3-million dollar budget, 35 staff members and a profit-sharing plan, the rise of the internet took its toll. Real estate rentals and personal ads found other digital platforms and the revenue they generated was lost. When the Covid pandemic shut down operations, the owners at the time could not see a way forward. But they supported the efforts of Davidoff and Joyce to restructure as a nonprofit - which they did when they realized the donations of loyal readers could help fund it. Currently, Isthmus has seven employees and a $750,000 annual budget.
A recent survey found Isthmus readers value the paper’s local news, arts and culture coverage, the music and events calendar and other reporting they can't find elsewhere. Davidoff and Joyce plan to keep providing readers with this unique content - and they want it to be a free paper - forever.
Happy 50th Anniversary Isthmus! Here’s to 50 more.
Guest Speakers start at 17:45 minutes.
