Dear Progressive reader,

The motto of the publication that became The Progressive, in its earliest days, was a quote from the New Testament: “Ye Shall Know the Truth and the Truth Shall Set You Free.”

I am going to put that theory to the test, by telling you the truth. I’m going to tell you how bad things really are. It’s a risky thing to do, because the purpose of this letter is to get you to give money to help keep the magazine alive. We don’t want anyone to feel as though it’s a lost cause. Believe me, it’s not. But the truth is that, midway through our 110th year of continuous publication, The Progressive is in dire straits. 

We are tens of thousands of dollars in debt. We owe large bills to our printer and other vendors. We’ve cut staff and reduced costs. Many of us on staff—there’s now just seven of us—are working tirelessly to keep the organization afloat. In fact, many of our staff members are also financial supporters of the magazine.

The Progressive is not going to fold. We won’t allow it. Especially not now, under this lawless and disgusting President, who has denigrated our nation’s values and democratic institutions. Not now, when we face a heightened peril from nuclear weapons and an existential crisis caused by climate disruption. Not now, when white nationalists are enjoying a resurgence with the help of their friends within the Republican Party, from Donald Trump on down. Not now, when we have runaway levels of income disparity, a Supreme Court dominated by extremists, wholesale assaults on reproductive choice, daily mass shootings, and a dysfunctional health care system whose chief goal is to make money.

Today, The Progressive needs your help more than ever because the work we do to push back on these outrages is needed more than ever.

If you have made a donation recently, we thank you for your support!

If not, please, take this opportunity to support what we do.

P.S. - A donation of any size goes a long way in supporting our work. Monthly sustainers who donate $5 or more receive a complimentary subscription to our print magazine as well. 

P.S. - The Progressive, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so your donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. Many employers match donations as well, so please check with your H.R. department.