This is a message about money.
Someone I know who was once understandably weary of our pledge drives called them irresponsible. Annoying? Perhaps. But they are in truth actually highly responsible. He finally cooled and backed down. This is the thinking that won him over:
The Public’s Radio is, after all, a community asset—established and governed by community members. As a nonprofit, to not ask for money when we need to pay for the costs of operation would be a failure, mismanagement. Irresponsible.
We all benefit from this community asset. We receive equally, no matter our ability (or willingness) to pay, the daily information, discussion, and discovery we need.
Needed for what? Needed to help us—you and I—shape our shared future.
Thomas Jefferson once mused that “we could all be participators in the government of our affairs.” For him the word “public” described a force—a sort of active verb in noun form.
The conversations we have, the issues we fight for, the changes we labor to make happen in this community of citizenship require knowledge and understanding. That’s what this nonprofit organization provides. And we are able to do that only with your support.
Our fiscal year ends June 30, merely days away, and we are working diligently to close the books on a balanced budget following a challenging year.
We are only as strong as you make us. To keep this non-profit public service journalism institution doing its work, please give as generously as you can—whether that’s $10 or $1000—as an active member of the public.
From all of us, and the community we serve, thank you.
