I’d like to thank everyone who advanced the mission and work of First Things during our Spring Campaign, which ended on Sunday. We received $609,932 from 1,016 readers, exceeding our goal of $600,000 from 900 readers. Thank you!
I’ve heard from readers who worry that we importune too often. These readers are not entirely wrong. We’re not shy about asking for support. And we do so for very good reasons. Let me explain.
The first and simplest reason to ask for donations: The charitable support of our readers keeps First Things going. This is no mean thing. Today’s media have undergone fundamental transformations, and many notable publications have not weathered the digital tsunami.
First Things could chase clicks and sell out our readers by publishing salacious and sensationalistic articles while marketing our reader data to the highest bidder. Thanks to reader support, First Things has not, and will never, choose this path.
We depend on readers like you to help us uphold the high editorial standard of First Things through charitable giving. And your support has positioned First Things not only to survive but to thrive. We are and remain the source of religiously informed commentary for intelligent, thoughtful readers.
Then there’s the second reason: community. Richard John Neuhaus founded First Things as a nonprofit in 1989. He recognized that inviting readers to support the enterprise beyond their subscription dollars deepens engagement and builds community.
You have proven him correct. You are not buying a consumer product or generic service. Our supporters have a personal stake in the success of First Things. This is not a Netflix subscription. We’re not Amazon Prime. You are part of an authentic First Things community. All of us pull in the same direction—toward truth, revealed and natural.
The third reason: The partnership of our supporters in the First Things enterprise encourages transparency. My colleagues and I can’t ask for money if we’re not frank about our organization’s financial needs. We’ll tell you how your money has been spent.
Final reason: Reader support strengthens our collective voice. First Things speaks for men and women of faith. We contend together for the future of our society. Recent projects like the annual First Things Poetry Prize, our graduate student subscription program, and our new website (set to launch in August!) were made possible only by the generosity—and the vision—of dedicated readers like you.
On behalf of my entire staff, I thank you for reading our appeals and responding so generously. We’re honored to have you on the team. Let’s advance the mission and work of First Things together.
R. R. Reno is editor of First Things.
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