Indiegraf is building a media operating system specifically for independent newsrooms. Indiegraf OS provides you with a managed site that has all the tools you need—newsletters, a payment system and advertising tools—pre-installed and ready to use in one place. You can also get dedicated support for your publication's growth with our team of Indiegraf Experts.

How is Indiegraf different from a standard CMS or newsletter platform?

Most platforms only give you a place to write; we give you a setup to run a business. We handle the technical hosting, security and updates so your site doesn't break. Unlike setups that require multiple vendors, we include built-in tools to sell your own ads and collect memberships without taking a cut of your revenue.

It's built for local media who are ready to level up. This includes startups who have begun to make some revenue, established outlets looking to move off disjointed tools to a unified system and media networks that need to manage multiple sites and share content easily.

We're currently on Substack/Ghost/Beehiiv. Why should we switch to Indiegraf?

Simple newsletter tools are great for starting out, but they often lock you into a single way of making money. Indiegraf OS allows you to grow into a multistream business where you can sell direct ads, host community event calendars and manage a full-featured news website that you actually own.

I run a radio station or podcast. Is Indiegraf for me?

Yes! While your primary content is audio, Indiegraf provides the digital home you need to turn listeners into a sustainable business. For example, we can help you move people from anonymous listeners to an email list you actually own. You can also use our engagement management system to let your audience submit questions or vote on what your next episode or segment should be about.

How much does Indiegraf OS cost?

Pricing is tiered based on your audience size (number of subscribers) so the cost stays proportional to your revenue. There is a one-time fee to cover the manual work of migrating your content and training your team. Because every newsroom has different needs, we provide a custom quote after a quick discovery call. For general pricing information, check out our Pricing page.

What kind of support can I expect from the Indiegraf team?

You get much more than a technical help desk. Our customer support team of real, kind and thoughtful humans is here to ensure your newsroom thrives. We also provide Spanish language support to make sure our tools and strategies are accessible to your entire team. When you join the Indiegraf network, you gain a partner who's invested in your success—not another vendor. If you're looking for support to grow your revenue, better understand your audience or plan your next stage of growth, you'll also have the opportunity to work with our Indiegraf Experts on a project or fractional basis.

How long does it take to migrate and launch on Indiegraf? Is it difficult to migrate?

No, because we do it for you. Our team manages the migration of your articles, images and subscriber lists. We handle the heavy lifting and train your staff so you can start publishing immediately. Most newsrooms launch in four to six weeks. We work with you to plan a timeline that doesn't interrupt your daily reporting, ensuring a seamless move for your readers and your archives.

Does Indiegraf take a commission on my reader revenue or ad sales?

No. Whether you are collecting monthly memberships or selling high-value sponsorships to local businesses, you keep 100% of the money you earn.

Do I still own my data and audience if I join the Indiegraf network?

One hundred percent. You own your subscriber list and all of your content. If you ever decide to leave, you take your data and your audience with you. We are here to support your independence, not to own your assets.

I'm a journalist, not a salesperson. How will I actually sell the ads the Indiegraf OS enables?

You don't have to start from scratch. Through our Indiegraf Experts offerings, we can provide you with the sales playbooks, media kit templates and data audits you need to show local businesses the value of your advertising with you.

We are a network of multiple sites. Can we manage them all from one place?

Yes. Our tools let you manage several sites from one dashboard. You can click a button to instantly sync a story from one site to another, manage ad campaigns that run across your entire network and keep your editorial style consistent across every outlet.

Indiegraf is on a mission to strengthen local news

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Our company

Indiegraf is a mission-driven technology company built by and for independent local media leaders. We serve large and small digital media, newspapers, radio stations and public media across the Americas, in both English and Spanish, with a special focus on underserved communities. We are a privately-held company, incorporated in Canada and the U.S., majority-owned by employees and impact investors who believe the future of local news is independent.

Our mission

Our mission is to defend independent journalism by reducing reliance on any single funder, revenue stream, audience platform or government, so local media can dictate their own future.

Our vision

A world where every community is served by a resilient, sovereign news outlet—transforming local civic information from a fragile endeavour to a thriving pillar of democracy.

Indiegraf co-founders Erin Millar and Caitlin Havlak.

2020
Indiegraf is founded by sisters Caitlin Havlak and Erin Millar, based on their experience building the award-winning local media outlet The Discourse in Canada.

People seated at a formal event clapping and cheering with drinks and flowers on tables.

2021
Indiegraf wins the Spring Activator Impact Investor Challenge and pre-seed investment from New Media Ventures, funding its expansion into the United States.

Indiegraf's swag, yellow spiral notebooks with the text 'EVERY STORY SHAPES OUR COMMUNITY WRITE YOURS HERE' on their covers.

2022
Indiegraf launches the News Startup Fund, providing $3.5 million to 24 journalist entrepreneurs building startups in underserved communities, with funds raised from the Knight Foundation, Google News Initiative and the McConnell Foundation.

Indiegraf co-founder Erin Millar speaking on stage at the Vancouver Web Summit about the future of independent media.

2024
Indiegraf raises a $2.2 million seed investment from StandUp Ventures, Coralus and Mucker Capital, enabling it to launch its fully integrated, all-in-one publishing and monetization platform.

Three panelists sitting and speaking in front of an audience during a discussion or presentation.

2025
Indiegraf secures a $5 million impact investment from the Knight Foundation, underwriting the Tech for Journalism subsidy program and lowering cost barriers for public interest local media.