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As we bring 2020 to a close and reflect on what has been a very difficult year for us all, you have the power to make a difference. Your donation to the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism has a direct and meaningful impact on democracy and the quality of life in Wisconsin.

Your gift supports the Center’s nonpartisan, fact-checked investigative reporting and the training of the next generation of investigative journalists. You can make a contribution today to support our guiding principles: Protect the vulnerable. Expose wrongdoing. Explore solutions. 

We are incredibly close to meeting our $75,000 goal by midnight! NewsMatch and generous donors in the Leadership Circle have established a fund of $75,000 to encourage you to match this amount. Can you help put us over the top and begin 2021 strong? 

Your donation of any amount supports fact-checked, in-depth independent journalism at a time when it has never been more important. Please consider giving monthly, starting at just $5 a month. 

Donate now to help the Center continue to produce fearless reports that strengthen our democracy. As the COVID-19 vaccine begins to be distributed throughout the state, we’re reminded that there is no vaccine for disinformation and corruption. That’s why we need reliable journalism in Wisconsin. 

If, like me, you’re in a reflective mood on this New Year’s Eve, please consider the value that an investment in the Center produces for the people of Wisconsin:

Award-winning reporting, made available for free and in collaboration with newsrooms such as Wisconsin Public Radio and NPR to maximize our resources and the impact of our journalism. This year our 73 major reports (nearly double any other year!) — on the human and economic impacts of the pandemic, the 2020 elections in this critical swing state, racial disparities and efforts to attain equality, the justice system, and more — were picked up by 384 news organizations and reached an estimated audience of more than 36 million people.

Democracy made stronger by projects that have a direct impact on our communities. These include News414 — which texts vital information to residents in response to their requests — in partnership with the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service and Outlier Media and coverage of problems related to the April and November elections and disinformation efforts in the state. 

Training, through internships, fellowships and classroom collaborations, of investigative journalists and newsroom leaders who will sustain local and state public service journalism for decades to come.

It has been a very difficult year. Your support today ensures that we have the capacity to cover whatever issues arise in 2021. Only a few hours remain to help us reach our goal of $75,000

If you have the means, please consider joining more than 100 supporters in our Watchdog Club with a gift of $1,000 or more. Donors who give $5,000 or more per household become members of our Leadership Circle, a new network of friends taking a leadership role in sustaining investigative reporting and the training of investigative journalists. Leadership Circle members receive all the benefits of the Watchdog Club, plus an office tour and lunch with staff members and invitations to exclusive events (when it is safe to have them!).

Please show your support for a growing, public-spirited news organization dedicated to one thing in Wisconsin:

Truth.

The nonprofit Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism (wisconsinwatch.org) collaborates with Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, 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.

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Jay Burseth joined the Center in April 2020. His role includes coordinating fundraising strategy, overseeing the organization’s development department, and leading philanthropic relationships, including foundations and major donors. Prior to joining the Center, Burseth led fundraising for the Milwaukee County Parks, helped found the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, and was the Development Director for WMSE in Milwaukee. Burseth has been in fundraising and development for over a decade and holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from UW-Milwaukee, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History, also from UWM.