Yes, it is time for our end-of-the-year appeal for donations.
But first let me thank you for your past support, and explain how important your donations are to our continued operations.
We started collecting individual donations in April 2010 with certain restrictions. We don’t accept contributions from labor unions. We don’t accept donations from corporations. We don’t accept individual contributions from those who are politically active. And we disclose the name of any donor who gives us $1,000 or more. Those restrictions are in place for the sake of our independence and credibility.
Even with those limitations, we have been able to raise more than $450,000 since April 2010 from individual donors like you. Our donations have averaged about $86,000 a year over the last five full fiscal years. Through the first three months of this fiscal year, we have raised $4,356.
Your support is very important to us. As our founding grant from the Annenberg Foundation dwindles, we increasingly rely on individual donations to continue our work. Your support has helped us extend the life of FactCheck.org.
With your financial support, we have had the resources to subscribe to an ad-tracking service that provides us with copies of all the TV ads that air in every state for candidates running for the House, Senate and White House. We were able to launch in 2010 an undergraduate fellowship program for students of the University of Pennsylvania, and maintain its operation. We also have used individual donations to cover the expenses of our website hosting services and to send reporters for the first time to the national political conventions in 2012.
So as we head into another presidential election year – our fourth since we launched in 2003 – please consider a donation to help us hold politicians accountable.
Credit card donations may be made through our “Donate” page. If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104-3806. Checks can be made payable to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” with a note in the memo field indicating it is for FactCheck.org.
FactCheck.org is a project of the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center. The University of Pennsylvania is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your contribution is deductible from U.S. federal income taxes to the full extent allowed by law.
Thank you again for your past support. We look forward to serving you in 2016. Have a safe and happy holiday.