UPDATE: Why are your neighbors donating to this fundraiser?
ELi has raised $13,735 thanks to generous donors, and we still have MATCHING FUNDS available now through July 4!
We are so close to reaching our July 4 goal of $15,000. We just need a little more help to raise the remaining $1,265!
You can donate now! Why would you?
“I’ve donated many times and I will continue to, but I especially love and am especially willing to donate to the youth program,” wrote one donor. “Thank you for doing it.”
Another donor wrote, “Thanks for all you do!”
These donors weren’t alone in wanting to support youth journalism in our community.
Wrote another donor, “Keep up the good work! Ethical and educated journalists are critical to a well-functioning democracy.”
Yet another donor spoke directly to how ELi’s Summer Youth Journalism Program has had a positive impact on their child, who graduated from it:
“Thank you for giving local youth opportunities to become trained journalists and contributors to ELi,” wrote that parent. “[My child] has not only developed interviewing, editing and writing skills, but [their] confidence has grown, thanks to the mentorship he has received from Emily Elliott and Cody Harrell. We also appreciate having ELi as a community resource. So, thanks for everything!”
Another donor encouraged us to share all that we have learned mentoring youth with other local news organizations across the country.
We appreciate all the little notes on encouragement that we have received too! One donor wrote, “Appreciate your efforts!” Another chimed in, “Keep on keepin’ on.”
We will keep on keepin’ on thanks to the support of community members like you.
Other donors donated to our youth programming fundraiser because they realize that supporting our youth reporters will keep important news coming. Last week, I recapped the dozens of important stories that our cub reporters delivered. We couldn’t bring you the news without them!
We have matching funds available now, so if you give $25, your gift will double to $50. A donation of $150 dollars becomes $300, which will cover the cost of an entire student stipend for the program! You can donate here.
Give now and help the next generation develop a core appreciation of the importance of quality journalism in America!
This story was originally published on June 30, 2021 at 5:00 a.m. It was updated on July 1, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. to reflect progress in meeting our fundraising goal and new words of support from our donors.