We’re paraphrasing Maya Angelou here. Google this quote and you’ll probably find folks explaining that it means to pay attention when you see a red flag: someone who routinely commits small meanness and transgressions at first will not bring you joy down the road. We agree. But when we at BSR think about this, we believe the flip side is also true. When someone routinely demonstrates small actions of positivity and grace, believe what it tells you about them, and nurture that relationship.
You have decided.
On March 19 at about 3pm, we met our ambitious $10,000 Readers Decide goal. Small donations from ordinary people poured in. Since the response from our community has been so strong, we’re going to keep the campaign open through its originally planned finish, March 31, with a new total goal of $15,000. If we can raise the extra $5K, we won’t just secure our spring coverage. We can help secure the summer, too (and help take off some of that fundraising pressure).
With your gifts, you are showing us who you are.
You don’t have piles of money. But you're making a difference anyway. As creative economy gig workers, the BSR team can relate. When we make a gift, even if it’s just a few bucks, it’s because we think the cause is essential. We hope you see BSR that way. Many donors to this campaign are giving $10 or $20. That makes us even more motivated to serve you with our coverage and keep it paywall-free. Income should never be a barrier to quality journalism.
You are curious and thoughtful. In a world where a lot of us are happy to spend our free hours scrolling (or doomscrolling), you want more. You want to engage with new ideas and experiences. You understand that professional critics are excellent guides.
You are in favor of human rights. Anyone who has read BSR long enough to feel motivated to donate to us knows that we are a place to debate opinions, not the existence or the rights of other human beings. Our team and our writers reflect the Philly area’s diversity. We do not tolerate racism, misogyny, ableism, islamophobia, antisemitism, anti-trans hatred, or disdain for our immigrant community members. When you donate to us, you say the same.
You will take concrete action for a free press. A lot of people are out here complaining in comment sections that today’s media is useless and corrupt. Others know that principled journalists are still on the job, despite escalating threats from our president and his acolytes. You are finding the journalists and supporting them. You don’t just believe in local media powered by the people. You’re making it possible.
You love Philly. BSR is proudly Philly-centric. But recently we have heard from supporters in countries including Japan, England, Iran, and Algeria. None of these readers are from Philly. But through the magic of the Internet, they find our cultural scene and our writers’ voices so compelling that they subscribe to BSR. We say Philly (both the cradle of our democracy and America’s perpetual underdog) deserves that love. When you give to BSR, you’re saying it, too.
Still time to join the party!
Thank you for showing us who you are! We are looking forward to an April 8 virtual event for all of our donors. If you gave to BSR in March, you should already have the promo code for free registration in your inbox (drop an email to [email protected] if you don’t see it). That code is soon heading to all our Friends of BSR and Local Media Champions, as well.
If you haven’t donated yet, you have til March 31 at 11:59pm ET to become a Deciding Reader with a gift of any amount, and if you’re not able to give (we get it!), you can still be a huge help just by sharing this fundraiser in your networks, and reminding friends that local arts journalism is alive in Philly.
Next week, we’ll have a final update on this campaign.
