Dear Reader,
Reading each issue of First Things is “both a challenge and a treat.”
These are the words of Dale Van Ness, but I trust that they could be attributed to the vast majority of our more than 30,000 subscribers.
First Things exists for readers like Dale—and like you—who want to better understand how faith informs key issues of our day.
As editor of First Things, I’m fortunate to hear from readers about the transformative influence the magazine has had upon their life. (Of course, I also hear from readers when we’ve fallen short! Thank you for helping us sharpen our voice and improve the end product.)
Increasingly, readers talk about First Things as a community and highlight the importance of discovering others who share in their convictions.
First Things programs provide an opportunity to connect with this community beyond the pages of the magazine. In the past few years, we’ve built out a few key educational programs to engage with readers on key subjects in faith, culture, and public life. Consider just a few:
- Intellectual Retreats: full weekends of readings and discussions on important themes in the Western tradition;
- The annual First Things Lecture in Washington, DC; and
- A year-long reading group on an important theological text.
These new opportunities build upon long-standing programs like the annual Erasmus Lecture in New York and the reader-led ROFTERS groups that meet in cities around the world.
With these new programs come new financial commitments. While our subscriber base is growing, subscriptions account for less than one-third of the annual revenue needed to fund our mission. The generosity of readers like you makes up the difference and allows us to grow.
This year, First Things is launching a fall appeal to raise $100,000 by October 31 to support its programs. Please give generously so that we can continue to engage readers and reach new audiences with these initiatives.
For those who make first-time gifts of $100 or more, we would be delighted to send you a “Reader of First Things” bumper magnet as a token of our gratitude for your support.
Thank you for giving generously and thank you for being a reader of First Things.
Sincerely,
R. R. Reno
Editor
First Things
