Our “It’s Your Times” fundraiser has been a smashing success.
A record number of donors — 1,446 of them — participated in the sixth-annual weeklong campaign, eclipsing the previous high of 1,158 set last year.
So far, we’ve logged $286,646 in total contributions, the vast majority from Tampa Bay Times readers. That puts us right on the cusp of hitting our $300,000 target. Checks are still arriving via mail, and some donors have even continued to give online through our donation portal. We’re very confident we’ll reach our goal once all the checks are counted.
You made it happen!
From all of us at the Times, we want to express our deep appreciation. Donations have ranged from $5 to $50,000.
Every one of them mattered.
Many contributors sent encouraging remarks. Among them:
“We have to get the truth. Your reporters find it.”
“We are not a free nation without a free press, and supporting journalism that is committed to reporting the facts, finding the truth, and holding those with power accountable has never been more important.”
Thank you to all who make this rare institution the benchmark for meaningful reporting.”
“In this day and age, it’s getting more difficult to know what facts are true, and I trust this paper to deliver the truth.”
Some powerful themes in those messages. Our readers clearly value our journalistic mission and treasure what the Times provides.
And that means the world to us.
Thank you for believing in us!
Mark Katches
Editor and Vice President