Sponsorship & Partnerships Policy
Pulborough Post Sponsorship & Partnerships Policy
Last Updated: 19 June 2026
Purpose
The Pulborough Post welcomes sponsorships and partnerships that support local journalism, community engagement, and initiatives that benefit Pulborough and the surrounding area.
This policy explains how sponsorships and partnerships are managed and the principles that guide our relationships with external organisations.
Our objective is to build constructive community relationships while maintaining transparency, integrity, and editorial independence.
Our Principles
All sponsorships and partnerships are guided by the following principles:
- Editorial independence
- Transparency
- Accountability
- Fairness
- Community benefit
- Public trust
The interests of our readers and community always take precedence over commercial or organisational interests.
Types of Partnerships
The Pulborough Post may enter into partnerships with:
Community Organisations
- Charities
- Volunteer groups
- Community associations
- Local initiatives
Educational Institutions
- Schools
- Colleges
- Educational projects
- Youth organisations
Local Businesses
- Independent businesses
- Professional services
- Local employers
- Community-minded enterprises
Cultural and Sporting Organisations
- Sports clubs
- Arts organisations
- Heritage groups
- Cultural initiatives
Event Organisers
- Festivals
- Community events
- Charity fundraising activities
- Public engagement programmes
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship arrangements may include support for:
- Community events
- Special editorial projects
- Newsletters
- Awards programmes
- Community campaigns
- Public information initiatives
- Educational programmes
- Local journalism projects
All sponsorship arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Editorial Independence
Editorial independence is fundamental to the Pulborough Post.
Sponsors and partners:
- Do not control editorial decisions.
- Do not approve editorial content before publication.
- Do not influence news coverage.
- Do not determine which stories are investigated or reported.
Editorial decisions remain solely the responsibility of the editorial team.
Participation in a sponsorship or partnership arrangement does not guarantee favourable editorial coverage.
Transparency and Disclosure
We believe readers should understand when relationships exist between the Pulborough Post and external organisations.
Where appropriate, sponsorships or partnerships will be disclosed clearly.
This may include:
- Sponsor acknowledgements
- Partnership notices
- Project disclosures
- Event sponsorship statements
Readers should always be able to distinguish between independent editorial content and sponsored or partnered activities.
Sponsored Content
Where content is produced as part of a sponsorship arrangement:
- It will be clearly labelled.
- The nature of the arrangement will be disclosed where appropriate.
- Readers will not be misled into believing sponsored content is independent reporting.
Sponsored content remains subject to editorial review and legal standards.
Community Benefit
We prioritise partnerships that:
- Support local communities.
- Promote civic participation.
- Encourage volunteering.
- Strengthen community life.
- Support local culture, education, sport, and wellbeing.
- Contribute positively to Pulborough and the surrounding area.
We seek partnerships that align with our mission as a community news publication.
Conflicts of Interest
We recognise that partnerships may create actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
To protect public trust:
- Relevant relationships may be disclosed.
- Editorial decisions will remain independent.
- Potential conflicts will be reviewed before entering into partnerships.
- Contributors and editors are expected to disclose relevant interests.
Organisations We May Decline to Partner With
The Pulborough Post reserves the right not to enter into sponsorship or partnership arrangements where we believe the relationship may:
- Undermine editorial independence.
- Create reputational risk.
- Conflict with our values.
- Create significant conflicts of interest.
- Damage public confidence in our publication.
Each proposal will be assessed individually.
Political and Campaign Organisations
Partnerships with political parties, election campaigns, or partisan political organisations will be considered with particular caution.
Any such arrangements must not compromise the publication's independence, fairness, or public trust.
Acceptance of advertising or participation in public events does not imply endorsement of any political viewpoint.
Use of Names and Logos
Partners and sponsors may not imply endorsement by The Pulborough Post without prior permission.
The use of our name, logo, branding, or reputation must be agreed in advance and used in accordance with any applicable guidelines.
Review of Partnerships
Partnerships may be reviewed periodically to ensure they remain consistent with:
- This policy
- Editorial standards
- Legal requirements
- Community expectations
The Pulborough Post reserves the right to terminate partnership arrangements where these standards are no longer met.
Partnership Enquiries
Organisations interested in sponsorship or partnership opportunities are invited to contact us.
The Pulborough Post
Email: editor@pulboroughpost.co.uk
Website: pulboroughpost.co.uk
Policy Review
This Sponsorship & Partnerships Policy will be reviewed periodically and updated as necessary.
The Pulborough Post remains committed to building positive community relationships while safeguarding the independence, credibility, and trust that are essential to local journalism.