As a nonprofit organization, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists relies on donations to support our investigative journalism. This series provides a regular update on who our major donors are and why they choose to support us. If you have questions or would like to learn more about donating to ICIJ, please contact us.
More than six months and 1,000 members after launching ICIJ Insiders, we’re blown away by our readers’ support for our new membership program. With three giving levels to choose from, all with a variety of benefits, ICIJ’s everyday readers now have an easy way to support our global, independent journalism.
During the last few months of 2018, our supporters stepped up and helped us far exceed our year-end goal. Thanks to everyone who took part in the NewsMatch campaign, ICIJ raised over $185,000 toward our mission to expose the truth and hold the powerful to account, which includes $25,000 in matching funds. This is well above our initial $100,000 goal, and we’d like to send our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed!
With 1,014 members raising nearly $300,000 during 2018, our Insiders are an important and dedicated segment of ICIJ’s supporters, and they’re found all around the world. More than 50 countries are represented, with Insiders hailing from Australia to Argentina, from Hungary to Hong Kong.
ICIJ Insiders represent a global, passionate community. They care about the issues we cover and recognize the vital role of independent journalism in exposing injustice and corruption worldwide.
To kick off the new year, we want you to hear from some of our newest Insiders about why they choose to support ICIJ.
Take Duncan from Canada, who joined ICIJ Insiders just this past November. Funding independent journalism is important to him, he said, because “much of our news is subject to editorial control by large corporations tied either to governments directly or indirectly by having shared values to governments.” Duncan also joined ICIJ Insiders because regular updates about our work are important to him – and that’s a benefit we offer our Insiders!
Some readers are moved to donate because of the impact that ICIJ’s investigations have on the world. Whether the Implant Files, Panama Papers, West Africa Leaks or others, many Insiders have named a project and its impact for why they joined. ICIJ Insider Markus from Austria let us know that he sees “positive change in the world because of the Panama and Paradise Papers – because you eliminate the root of most problems in the world – corruption.”
“People need [ICIJ’s] support to find out what’s actually happening behind their back on a bigger scale,” Gabriela from Malta shared when joining ICIJ Insiders. We’re so grateful for Gabriela’s reflection, because ICIJ is committed to uncovering the truth and then speaking it to power. With the support of everyday readers like you, we can continue to change the conversation, the rules and even the world.
These are just a few of the sentiments that our Insiders have shared with us recently. Why is ICIJ important to you? Drop us a line at donate@icij.org to share why you give to, or read, ICIJ. Or even better – share your reasons with colleagues, friends and family on Twitter, Facebook or in your everyday conversations! And if you want to become part of this growing community, consider a gift today.