With only modest advertising income and no formal fundraising plan, The Fenway News, a nonprofit newspaper, is leaning on community support and new digital ambitions to stay afloat as it enters its 51st year.

A $17,000 fundraising boost from last year’s 50th anniversary celebration helped sustain operations, but ongoing expenses, including a monthly $1,000 printing bill and the editor’s salary, continue to challenge the all volunteer staff.

“We aren’t trying to amass a lot of money.

We are just trying to have enough money to pay the bills,” said Treasurer Steve Chase, who emphasized that the paper still relies heavily on reader donations and a GoFundMe page launched during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small contributions from the Mission Hill Fenway Neighborhood Trust, CVS and developer Samuels & Associates have also helped, he said.

Advertising revenue, once the backbone of the monthly paper, is doing reasonably well, though still not enough to fully fund operations. Most issues include five to ten ads, an improvement from past years. The paper is financially current and not carrying any outstanding debt.

In any event, The Fenway News is pushing forward with plans to modernize. The board is exploring ways to make the website more smartphone friendly, a move aimed at engaging younger readers while preserving the hyperlocal reporting identity that defines the paper. Chase said the paper may hire a tech-savvy staff member to boost its digital presence.

The paper’s newest board member, Evan Fisch, who is in his 20s, was elected at the annual meeting last month. Chase noted that Fisch’s age and experience with technology align with the paper’s goals of digital growth and broader demographic reach.

Editor Kelsey Bruun encouraged readers to take a more active role in shaping the paper’s future, asking for article pitches, photographs and calendar submissions. She promised to check the newsroom inbox more frequently and welcomed ideas that better reflect the neighborhood’s diversity and needs.

Returning board members include Ruth Khowais, Steve Wolf, Chase and Mary Ann Brogan. Outgoing member Leslie Pond, who is stepping down for personal reasons, was honored for her years of service.