The Commons is the public face of a larger nonprofit organization, Vermont Independent Media, Inc.

Recognizing that a vigorous exchange of ideas and information allows democracy to function and is the lifeblood of a community, Vermont Independent Media creates a forum for community participation, promotes local independent journalism, and fosters civic engagement by building media skills through publication of The Commons and commonsnews.org.

The first issue of The Commons was published in 2006. The newspaper was published monthly until 2010, when it went weekly. The Commons is published on Wednesdays 51 times a year.