Bradenton Herald readers, we need your help
Dear reader: We need your help.
The COVID-19 crisis has been unlike any other story we’ve covered. The journalists at the Bradenton Herald have responded with an almost around-the-clock effort to provide our readers with critical coverage. We have published hundreds of stories and videos a day, from a steady stream of breaking news to accountability journalism and investigative stories. We have answered scores of reader questions, investigated tips, fought for access to government briefings, filed public records requests and shared much-needed stories of resiliency and uplift. We are grateful we can be here for you.
Like you, we are stressed. About our health and our ability to do our work. The pandemic has brought layoffs, furloughs and salary reductions to newsrooms large and small — but not at the Bradenton Herald, thanks in large part to you. Your readership and your subscriptions have helped us hold the line during this critical time for our community.
But it’s a steep hill, and we’re thinking creatively about how to climb it.
If you see value in what we’re doing every day, and if you can support us, please help us bridge this gap. My news colleagues will be the direct beneficiaries of your help.
And so will readers in Bradenton and Manatee County. Your support will be not only an investment in the Bradenton Herald, it will be an investment in the community.
Your tax-deductible gift can ensure we continue to report on the coronavirus and all of its impacts across our community. We aim to raise $25,000 to keep our journalists working to deliver essential news and information to you.
Your response in less than a month of fund-raising has been tremendous. Online, we have raised more than $10,000, plus supporters have snail mailed us almost $8,000 in checks.
The words of support accompanying many of the donations have been just as gratifying.
“Having a vibrant, local free press is important to our health, to our economy, to our community and our mobilization efforts, and to our democracy in general,” wrote one donor. “As a resident of Manatee County, the Bradenton Herald is my local newspaper and is an important part of my daily life. I’m happy to contribute toward your mission, which I share.”
Please help us reach our goal so we can continue to provide the type of coverage you expect from your newspaper.
With help from the Local Media Foundation, your gift goes directly to ensuring sustainability for the Bradenton Herald and continued accountability reporting as we navigate this critical time.
You can donate online here.
Or you can send a check to:
Bradenton Herald Givebutter
1111 Third Ave. W.
Bradenton, Fla.
34205.
Make out the check to Local Media Foundation and write “Bradenton Herald” in the memo line.
Marc R. Masferrer is president and editor of the Bradenton Herald. You can reach him at mmasferrer@bradenton.com.
