By Eileen Moon
RED BANK – In May 2024, The Two River Times embarked on a new era in its 35-year history. Local businessman Domenic DiPiero donated the newspaper to a newly created 501(c)(3)
nonprofit foundation, positioning the weekly periodical as a nonpartisan community voice that would continue to lead the way as a primary source of local news and community happenings well into the 21st century and beyond.
“Rather than its success being dependent upon private leadership,” DiPiero said at the time, “I want it to be owned by the community. I want this paper to be here 200 years from now.”
In the 18 months since that announcement, the paper has officially achieved 501(c)(3) status, organized a board of directors under the leadership of DiPiero as chairman, conducted a reader interest survey and, most recently, hired an executive director to guide its daily operations, enhance its community engagement and build on its identity as a reliable source of local news.
Executive director Gabriel Donio, a New Jersey native who brings nearly three decades of weekly newspaper achievements to The Two River Times, stepped into the newly created position Sept. 4.
Donio, 52, founded, owned and ran his own weekly newspaper, The Hammonton Gazette, for more than 25 years, but his family ties in the state stretch back to the late 1800s.
His passion for journalism was evident at an early age.
“I was always interested in newspapers,” Donio said. “When I was 10 years old, I printed a newspaper on an 8 ½ by 11 sheet of paper. My parents were very supportive. My father, Frank, said, ‘You have to distribute it.’ He said to my mother, Angela, ‘You should have him make copies and take that paper around.’ ”
He took their advice, distributing his grassroots news reports to neighbors. He christened his paper The Tilton Street News after the street his family lived on – the same street that, years later, would house The Hammonton Gazette in a building just a stone’s throw from his childhood home. It was the beginning of his life’s work.
After earning a degree in English from Boston University, where Donio was granted a full academic scholarship, he returned to his hometown and founded his own newspaper. He was 23 years old.
Working with his wife, Gina, who served as editor of The Hammonton Gazette, Donio built a thriving media outlet dedicated to serving readers and fostering community engagement. Over 25 years, the paper became a trusted voice in his South Jersey community, reflecting the lives and fortunes of its readers while earning a statewide and national reputation for distinguished reporting and outstanding community service.
After more than two and a half decades at the helm of The Hammonton Gazette, Donio sold the paper. But he had no intention of distancing himself from the business of newspapering. For the next two years, he worked as a marketing and advertising account executive for the Cape May County Herald.
When his wife came across an online advertisement seeking an executive director for The Two River Times, she urged her husband to apply. Donio was already familiar with the weekly as a leading example of a well-run newspaper with a deep commitment to community journalism and a track record that proved it.
In an era when many local newspapers struggle for advertising dollars and reader support, The Two River Times stands out as a model of stability and success – a fortunate position that reflects great leadership, he noted.
“Domenic DiPiero deserves all of the credit in the world for his efforts in maintaining this newspaper and finding a way to make it continue as a strong media outlet,” Donio said.
DiPiero’s decision to donate the newspaper he owned from 2014 to 2024 to the nonprofit Two River Times Foundation enables the paper to accept tax-deductible donations, offer yearly memberships and enhance its revenue streams.
“He’s assembled a fine board who are all deeply committed to this cause.”
In his role as executive director, Donio will work closely with board chairman DiPiero and board members Joseph Albertelli, John Dias, Kasey Rosado and Lawrence Sykoff to ensure that The Two River Times reflects the community commitment, vision and integrity that has guided it for more than 30 years.
During his initial meetings with board members and newspaper staff, it was immediately evident to Donio that The Two River Times was a team effort, one driven by a core commitment to community that every member of the paper, from interns to chairman of the board, shared.
For Donio, it was the right fit.
“Do you know the story, ‘Stone Soup?’ ” he asked, recounting the tale of a miraculous pot of soup that grows from a stone to an enriching meal as the community members share their own contributions. That kind of teamwork, he believes, can move mountains.
And when Donio uses the word “team,” it’s clear he is referring not only to the men and women who do the work of writing and publishing the paper every week, but also to the community at large – the community for whom the paper is written; the community that values and supports its important work.
“One thing I knew about The Two River Times was that it was beloved by everyone who read it,” Donio said. As he visits businesses and attends community meetings, he has heard that message repeatedly. “They say, ‘We love the TRT. That’s our paper.’ It’s appointment readership for them each week. The support has been overwhelming, and I have a great feeling that we are going to have a tremendous fourth quarter.”
Under the 501(c)(3) umbrella, Donio said, “We are increasing ways to raise revenue, to fund local journalism and to preserve democracy.”
The Two River Times business model is similar to nonprofit radio and television interests like PBS, which are funded through memberships and donations.
“The good news is that this newspaper is in a very strong and secure position, and readers should know that it’s here to stay,” Donio continued.
And as the paper moves gracefully into its 35th year, Donio said, “Our goal is to amplify, augment and elevate The Two River Times. It is not our goal to change what works, and the TRT works very well as a community newspaper.”
This story is the first in a three-part series about The Two River Times’ nonprofit status.
The article originally appeared in the October 9 – 15, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
