Heading into the end of the year, many of us are reflecting on how unprecedented and unpredictable 2020 has been. From the pandemic to civil unrest, extreme storms and wildfires, not to mention a high stakes election cycle, 2020’s impacts have been far greater than anyone could have anticipated. These impacts have, of course, been felt locally and globally, at an individual level and organizationally for us here at the PRT. And yet, one thing is certain: the hunger for news is stronger than ever before.
That’s why we’re excited to share an opportunity to double your donation this year. We have once again been selected to participate in NewsMatch, a national matching-gift campaign that drives donations to nonprofit newsrooms (like ours) around the U.S. Since 2016, NewsMatch has raised over $100 million for nonprofit journalism. That’s a lot of impact.
In the last year, the PRT has added a mid-month e-news service, co-sponsored a photography and essay contest with our schools, collaborated with the University of Arizona School of Journalism to publish a special edition of the paper, initiated a recycling task force whose members are working to return recycling services to Santa Cruz County, and held two public forums live on Facebook for candidates running in critical races in Santa Cruz County (with thousands of views).
Since the pandemic, the PRT has seen an astounding increase in its web presence, with our website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube channel. We hope to add Instagram in 2021 to our list of social media handles. You’ll see PRT banners at both Patagonia Public and Elgin Schools. And, we published and distributed ten regular issues of the paper!
When Arizona, and particularly Santa Cruz County, became a hot spot for COVID this spring and summer, the PRT increased its coverage of COVID-19 with daily online updates. When public health and safety required our local businesses to close their doors, the PRT recognized the economic hardship and reduced advertising rates for our merchants, even giving our local advertisers free ads. Increased expense and decreased revenue has obviously affected our bottom line.
Last year the PRT was able to raise $28,000 during our first-ever Newsmatch campaign. It was crucial for our operational expenses, for creating a small reserve fund and for the expanded coverage and community services we have been providing since March 2020. But this year, donations are absolutely critical for our continued existence. Nonprofit news gives power to people, but power doesn’t come for free.
We are a lean machine, the paid time of our four staff members combined is less than one full time salary, our columnists and reporters are volunteers, and we have no office save a donated storage shed. Your investment in the PRT goes a long way.
Here’s how NewsMatch works:
We can earn up to $11,500 in matching funds from NewsMatch. For donations received between Nov.1 and Dec 31, NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation x12 or double your one-time gift, all up to $5,000.
The PRT must raise at least $20,000 from our donor base in order to continue producing the high-quality, independent, and local journalism you’ve come to depend on – especially this year.
The time is now. Trusted journalism like ours has never mattered more.
Give today and NewsMatch will double the impact of your donation.
Send a check to:
P.O Box 1073 Patagonia, AZ 85624
Or donate online at