Furious Seasons

June 05, 2008

Spring Fundraiser--Special Notice

Hi. Yesterday $50 in contributions came in, bringing the fundraiser at $1,375 or a bit over halfway to the goal of $2,500 by the end of next Wednesday. While I truly appreciate all of the contributions that have come in to date, I must admit to being frustrated that things have slowed down since the initial surge of contributions late last week and over the weekend. One person contributed yesterday.

It's time for another surge people.

I'm not going to go too much into this site's stats except to let you know that there are several thousand people who read this site on a very regular basis--as in daily or multiple times a week--and, so far, only 37 people have stepped up to contribute during this fundraiser. I need some more of you to contribute ASAP, via the PayPal button on the right, or by snail mail if you prefer (just send me an email for the mailing address). If the fundraiser does not meet its goal, I can find something else to do with my time.

But I don't want that and neither do you.

The reality is that the fundraiser is $1,125 short of its goal and, with the number of readers I am lucky to have, that shouldn't be a hard goal to hit very quickly if enough of you band together and make contributions of $10, $25 or $50. I know a lot of you think that I provide an important service here, one that's still fairly unique on the 'Net, but I've got to tell you that providing this service does cost money in terms of rent, Internet service, utilities and my time. I still subsidize the work on this site out of my own pockets, empty as they may be. And, until I first asked for money from readers last June, I had supported the work here out of my own pocket 100 percent for almost two years.

So I'd really appreciate a show of support today. Thanks.

For now, this is the only post for today. It's been Ice Station Zebra gray and rainy in Seattle for the last week and, like many others in town, I am dragging. I'll maybe have something up later today.

In the meantime, please send some sunshine my way.

Posted by Philip Dawdy at June 5, 2008 12:05 AM

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Comments

sunshine on the way

Posted by: Stephany at June 4, 2008 09:59 PM

As a (years) long time reader and supporter of this site, I would like to see this fundraiser move forward.

This blog is a public service, and it's free to read. It's like unlike PBS for example, it's the viewers, the readers that keep this site going.

If you gain anything from this site, at all, then make a pledge today! I'd like to challenge the goal and raise it to $3000.00.

It's not hard to get there! Hit the PayPal button, mail a check or mail cash! I cannot believe only 37 readers as of this post have helped to fund this public service site.

It's time to step up to the plate and send this fundraiser over the top!

Posted by: Stephany at June 5, 2008 09:11 AM

I agree that it's pretty shocking that only 37 people have contributed so far and I wonder how many of those are first time donors. If everyone who reads this blog on a daily or near daily basis gave only $10 or $20 Philip probably wouldn't have to do another fundraiser for a year. That's just a few lattes. Come on guys pony up and help our hero out. Philip's putting out some important investigative journalism with a message the public needs to hear badly. And if you don't read regularly but you agree with what's going on here then that merits a contribution too.

Posted by: Sara at June 5, 2008 12:00 PM

Philip,
I'm sorry. I have already explained why I cannot support you. I don't have credit card or any other way I could send the money.
10 bucks by mail? Seattle... There it goes!
I totally agree with Stephany and was going to say that $2,500 is nothing.
The goal must be raised at least to $3.000.

Posted by: Ana at June 5, 2008 02:29 PM

If everyone who reads the site gives one dollar, we'd be over the top. I'm not saying only give that, I'm just saying anything is better than nothing and with all of the people who see the site, a dollar from everyone and I think you'd be doing pretty good. Two dollars, come on, you get the picture.

Posted by: Sally at June 5, 2008 05:18 PM

I agree. You have been doing a vital public service to readers--of which there are thousands. Money's tight, but I'm donating $25. Surely that is not too much to ask people.

Posted by: Heather at June 5, 2008 07:13 PM