We all have so much — too much — to think about these days.
The ins and outs of running a nonprofit organization like Public Citizen are not near the top of many people’s to-do lists.
But I do need you to know this:
Public Citizen — like many nonprofits and other small businesses — is feeling the financial strain of the coronavirus emergency.
That’s why we set a goal of raising $50,000 before the end of the month.
And so far we’re at just $12,210.
If we don’t close that gap by midnight tomorrow, it will impact what we’re able to do throughout the second half of the year — which of course includes what may well be the most consequential presidential election in any of our lifetimes.
And we won’t earn the full $50,000 in dollar-for-dollar matching funds pledged by a group of longtime benefactors.
I know these are perilous and uncertain times, and some people who might normally chip in won’t be able to.
If you can, please donate right now.
Contribute today and your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Thank you.
- Robert
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Does it seem like time is playing tricks with us lately?
Something that happened last week can feel like ancient history.
Something that took place months ago can feel like it happened yesterday.
- It’s three and a half years of the alternately surreal and all-too-real “presidency” of Donald Trump.
- It’s the worst global health emergency humanity has faced for at least a century.
- It’s living in seemingly perpetual limbo as our government out-and-out declines its duty to protect the lives and livelihoods of millions upon millions of Americans.
- And it’s a torrent of police racism occurring with such staggering regularity (and for so long) that we can barely begin grieving for one victim before there’s another. And another. And another.
So here we are, halfway through 2020, and I can’t quite decide whether my reaction is “Already?” or “Only?”
This is an absolutely critical moment for everything you and Public Citizen are doing together.
As the president of this organization, it is my job to direct all of the advocacy, research, organizing and legal work that Public Citizen does.
I’ve been in this role for 11 years, and I come to the office (well, nowadays, my living room) feeling both enthusiastic and honored every day.
It’s also my job to make sure we have the resources to carry out all that work we’re so well known for. I am just as enthusiastic and honored to do that.
Because we are up against corporate, plutocratic and regressive forces that always have far more resources than we do.
But for nearly 50 years now, we’ve been a thorn in their side. Quite a bit more than a thorn, in fact.
And while we are famously strategic and efficient, we do need a baseline level of financial strength to keep fighting — and winning.
So — with just two days until we close the books on the first half of this unprecedented year — I’m asking:
If you can, please donate to Public Citizen today.
A few comments:
1. A group of benefactors will match your contribution dollar-for-dollar.
2. If we can raise $50,000 by midnight tomorrow, we’ll earn another $50,000 in matching funds.
3. $50,000 is an aggressive two-day goal for us.
4. If we can reach it, we’ll be in far better shape as we head into the second half of the year, which of course includes what may well be the most consequential presidential election in any of our lifetimes.
Again, any amount you chip in right now will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
Contribute now.
Thank you!
In unity,
- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen
P.S. If you've donated recently, thank you. At such a critical moment — and with the dollar-for-dollar match in effect only until midnight tomorrow — I’m hoping I can ask you to dig a little deeper and make another contribution if you’re able. Either way, my thanks again for your ongoing support of this shared project we call Public Citizen.
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