Your Free Press Giving Guide
As the end of the year approaches, donation appeals and holiday shopping guides are flooding digital and physical mailboxes. At Free Press, we understand that there’s a lot of competition for donations and people’s time. There will be some personal causes Free Press can’t compete with, and that’s OK.
Every day we are humbled and inspired by the generosity of our community of donors, supporters and activists, who have long championed our campaigns to get everyone connected to broadband, restore Net Neutrality, stop racist hate and disinformation, reinvent local journalism and ensure that everyone is connected to trustworthy and lifesaving news and information.
No corporate money — ever
Unlike many nonprofits, Free Press doesn’t take a single cent from business, government or political parties. We’ve been 100 percent independent since our founding 20 years ago: Our work is funded solely through contributions from charitable foundations and individuals.
We believe that each gift should benefit Free Press in the most ethical and unencumbered manner, and be consistent with our mission, core values and commitment to being a multiracial organization that builds power with people, embodies equity and inclusion, and acts with rigor and integrity.
For those who can help support us financially, know that your donation is an investment in a better future for media and tech. Here are some ways to give to Free Press and create a sustainable legacy:
1. Single or monthly gifts: You can give online or via phone and mail. There’s a $5 minimum for gifts made online. There’s no minimum for any other kind of gift.
2. Donor-Advised Funds: Receive immediate tax benefits for your contributions. A DAF is a 501c3 public charity that allows a donor to take a charitable deduction during the year a charitable gift is contributed to the fund. The contribution may then be donated to charitable organizations. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Free Press or other charities.
3. Qualified Charitable Distributions: QCDs are direct transfers of funds from your IRA, payable directly to a qualified organization like Free Press. QCDs can count toward your required minimum distribution and are excluded from your taxable income. This gift option is a tax-efficient way of making your annual contribution.
4. You can list Free Press as a beneficiary on a life-insurance plan, retirement account or bank account.
5. One of the most popular types of planned gifts, bequests reduce the size of your taxable estate.
6. Add Free Press to your will.
7. Stocks and securities: When you donate appreciated securities, you can avoid paying a capital-gains tax that would otherwise be due if you sold these assets. Plus, you can receive a charitable deduction for the full fair-market value of the assets. Your gift will go further, enabling us to do more in our fight for media and tech justice.
8. Workplace-matching donations: You can support our work through workplace employee-matching contributions. Ask your employer if this is an option for you.
9. You can donate to Free Press via a giving vehicle like JustGive or Network for Good.
10. Fundraise on our behalf! Want to donate your birthday to Free Press? Hold a fundraising house party or other event to benefit our work? We welcome your creative ideas.
We hope you’ll consider making an extra-impactful 20th-anniversary gift to Free Press. Your increased investment will strengthen our fight for your rights to connect and communicate.
With your support, we’ll continue to make real progress in upholding democratic values in the digital age. As technology transforms society, new threats emerge that put our rights at risk. That’s why your donation is so important: It will help Free Press continue our vigilant work to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to be seen, heard and understood.
We look forward to seeing the progress we can make together in the years ahead. Want to learn more about our giving opportunities? Reach out to me.
