Wisconsin Watch is a nonprofit and nonpartisan newsroom. Subscribe to our our newsletter to get our investigative stories and Friday news roundup.
Since 2009, the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has prioritized transparency and accuracy in its reporting. We increase the quality, quantity and understanding of investigative journalism to foster an informed citizenry and strengthen democracy —and we put accountability at the forefront.
This is the type of journalism that cannot wait. Because if we don’t tell these stories, who will?
That’s why we’re excited to share an opportunity to double your donation this year. For the fourth consecutive year, NewsMatch has selected the Center to participate in its national campaign to encourage grassroots support of the nonprofit news sector, which plays an increasingly important role in providing the public with essential information.
Here’s how it works.
Starting now — through December 31 — NewsMatch will match your new monthly donation 12x or double your one-time gift, all up to $1,000. Across the country, nearly 200 nonprofit news organizations are eligible for $20,000 each in matching funds plus performance incentives from NewsMatch. REI has selected the Center as one of 10 newsrooms to receive an additional $10,000 toward our match cap.
We depend on people like you more than ever to support fact-checked reporting on such issues as a meth crisis quietly growing in Wisconsin, property owners near Foxconn who say they were misled, a statewide rural health crisis, invasive species spreading through the Great Lakes, labor trafficking of Wisconsin farm workers, “pay to stay” fees that can keep inmates in debt for years and what would happen if Wisconsin were to legalize marijuana.
This news can’t wait. So why would you? Give today and NewsMatch will double the impact of your donation, which also will support the Center’s training of investigative journalists through internships, fellowships and classroom collaborations.
Gifts from individuals and businesses are the fastest-growing part of the Center’s revenue and now account for nearly 40 percent of its $800,000 budget.
We’re continuing to build on the success of the Watchdog Club. Watchdog Club members share the distinction of being the Center’s most generous and loyal contributors. They are also our ambassadors. They help us excel and innovate, while fostering an informed citizenry and strengthening our democracy.
Donors of at least $1,000 become members of our Watchdog Club and receive “behind the story” insights, events and benefits, such as coffee conversations with the Washington Post’s Jonathan O’Connell and New York Times’ Caitlin Dickerson, a reception with Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative reporter Walt Bogdanich and an evening with former New York Times Publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr.
And today we are launching the Watchdog Club Leadership Circle.
The Leadership Circle is a new network of people and businesses taking a leadership role in sustaining investigative reporting and the training of investigative journalists.
Donors of at least $5,000 become members of our Leadership Circle and receive all the benefits of the Watchdog Club, plus an office tour and lunch with Executive Director Andy Hall and members of the staff and invitations to exclusive Leadership Circle events.
We don’t often get an opportunity like this. Please invest today in the news you need and the future of investigative journalism in Wisconsin.
Donations may be mailed to WCIJ, Fifth Floor, Vilas Hall, 821 University Ave., Madison WI 53706, or made securely via credit card by clicking here.
Because the Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a donation you make between now and Dec. 31, not only gets doubled by NewsMatch, but it’s also tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Please make a gift today and have it matched!
The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (www.WisconsinWatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Television, other news media and the UW-Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication. All works created, published, posted or disseminated by the Center do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of UW-Madison or any of its affiliates.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
