Connection. Information. Civic engagement. A local newspaper is more than any one of those. It’s the glue that holds us together as neighbors, as communities.

For 17 years the Patagonia Regional Times has been covering you. From the first edition when we celebrated Cici Finley’s 80th birthday to coverage of the Patagonia’s High School’s 2026 girls’ volleyball season, it’s always been about you. 

As we continue to evolve, one thing will not change – our commitment to being relentlessly local. We are your voice here in eastern Santa Cruz County. And we want to continue to be. 

Your contributions make this newspaper possible. On November 1, we kicked off the annual NewsMatch campaign. The two-month drive is our major fundraising event of the year as every dollar donated gets matched up to $12,000 received. 

Last year this campaign garnered us $39,420.81. I take it down to the penny because every penny counts. It was an underlying premise at this newspaper’s founding that everyone should have access to local news.  Hence, we do not charge for online subscriptions, and our print editions are free in racks and boxes in Patagonia and Sonoita.

Unfortunately, as a nonprofit paper, we can only receive a certain percent of our budget from advertising. The rest must come from community support, grants and philanthropic investment. We will provide more information on the latter — a new way of giving — during our campaign.

This year we are announcing three non-cash options that may offer tax advantages while helping sustain independent, community-centered news for Elgin, Sonoita, Patagonia and the surrounding area. Those are:

  • Appreciated Stock or Securities – Transfer shares of stock directly to the Patagonia Regional Times. You may avoid capital gains taxes and may be eligible for a charitable deduction for the full fair market value.
  • Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) Grant – If you have a DAF through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or a community foundation, recommend a grant directly to the Patagonia Regional Times.
  • IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) – If you are age 70 ½ or older, you can direct up to $108,000 per year (2025 limit) from your IRA to a qualified charity. This can satisfy you required minimum distribution (RMD) without increasing your taxable income.

Please consult your financial advisor to determine which option is right for you. Then contact us to learn how to direct your gift.

Right now, the PRT is on a path to sustainability. While newspapers around the country are folding, or experiencing diminished readership, the PRT continues to attract new local readers and national attention for stories ranging from the border wall to mining.

The PRT wants to be around to tell your children’s stories and their children’s stories. We hope we can count on you for your financial support. 

Checks can be sent to Patagonia Regional Times, P.O. Box 1073, Patagonia, AZ 85624. Or you can visit our website, www.patagoniaregionaltimes.org, and click the red “DONATE” button top right.

With gratitude,
Carrie White
Patagonia Regional Times Board President