I joined First Things because I firmly believe that it is America’s most influential journal of religion and public life. For my family and friends, First Things has been a consistent source of thought-provoking insight and commentary at a cultural moment when—to borrow a phrase—things are falling apart and the center is not holding.
As such, it is a supreme privilege to use my talents in service of First Things’s mission to advance a religiously informed philosophy for the ordering of society. As the new Director of Development, I look forward to meeting our readers, hearing each of your First Things stories, comparing notes on the magazine’s recent (or not-so-recent) articles, and exploring opportunities to partner in the vital work that we are doing.
Simply put, we would not exist without you. You support First Things by reading and by sharing, of course, but you also support our work through charitable giving, as subscription revenue only represents one-third of our operating budget. In raising the remaining two-thirds, we do not—and of course cannot—rely on government largesse, nor do we have a cabal of wealthy philanthropists to supply our every need. Instead, we receive charitable support from loyal readers like you—faithful, ordinary people who give generously.
Thanks to readers like you, it has been well-established over the past thirty-one years that we can count on the generosity of our supporters. Indeed, we view this necessity of raising charitable support from a broad base of faithful individuals as an opportunity: If you donate to First Things, you are investing in the future of our project, with all the benefits and responsibilities that obtain as a result.
I hope that you will consider this investment in First Things—in our print publication, in our expanding digital presence, and in our growing suite of educational programs. In a few days, we will be launching the digital component of our 2021 spring campaign, which seeks to raise $500,000 on behalf of the magazine and our educational programs. Stay tuned for more information about how you can participate in this critical campaign, or make your tax-deductible donation now by clicking the secure link below:
In the meantime, should you have any questions about how you can support First Things in the present (e.g., our aforementioned spring campaign) or the future (by making a commitment through your will or estate and becoming a member of the Richard John Neuhaus Society), please do not hesitate to reach out to me directly at CSkeel@FirstThings.com.
Carter Skeel is Director of Development at First Things.
