Frequently asked questions
We often receive questions about donations and fundraising at High Country News. We hope these questions and answers are a helpful source of information for you.
- How can I donate to High Country News?
- Is my donation tax-deductible?
- Why should I donate to High Country News? I already pay for a subscription.
- How is High Country News funded?
- What does my donation support?
- I’ve seen taglines on HCN stories that mention specific funds or donors. What is that about?
- How do donor acknowledgments in your magazine work?
- Can I donate stock? Or put High Country News in my will?
- What is the Sustainers’ Club?
- Can I change my monthly gift?
- I’ve also heard about the Intern Fund and HCNU. What are these and how are they different from annual support?
- My company is willing to match my philanthropic contributions. Does High Country News accept these?
- What is the Research Fund?
How can I donate to High Country News?
Easily. One of these ways:
- Donate securely online.
- Print out this donation form and mail it to us. (Our mailing address is on the form.)
- Call us at 800-905-1155; one of our friendly staff will assist you.
- Stop by our Paonia office and simply hand us a donation. We love visitors!
Is my donation tax-deductible?
You bet it is! High Country News is a 501(c)(3) charity.
Our Federal Tax ID number is: 23-7015336.
Why should I donate to High Country News? I already pay for a subscription.
And we thank you! Subscription revenue helps us keep the lights on and our reporters in the field. But the subscription price alone does not cover the cost of operations. We rely on subscribers who are able to give above and beyond the price of the magazine – anywhere from a one-time donation of $5 to $100 a month. Every little bit adds up and helps us keep our journalism independent and free of corporate control. That’s a refreshing reality in a world where journalism organizations have to fight tooth-and-nail to keep alive.
How is High Country News funded?
You can peruse our most recent annual report for details and stories about our impact. Last year, 77% of our revenue came from readers (19.4% in subscription revenue) and donors (57.6% from individual donations). We also receive grants which makes up about 20% of our revenue. Advertising has been reduced over the years to only 2% last year.
What does my donation support?
Reader contributions support everything from keeping the lights on and the computers working, to sending our journalists on reporting trips, to artfully laying out the magazine for print, to paying for the postage for your issues. We wouldn’t be able to produce the magazine without it.
For more details on what donor contributions fund, peruse our annual report.
I’ve seen taglines on HCN stories that mention specific funds or donors. What is that about?
Some of our donors are especially interested in stories about regular topics or regions. When we produce stories that fall into that category, we like to acknowledge their support. For example, the McCune Foundation has, in the past, funded coverage of New Mexico, so you might see its name under a story about arroyos in Albuquerque.
How do donor acknowledgments in your magazine work?
Every issue, we thank our generous donors. Everyone who donates $50 or more will have their name listed in the pages. (We also acknowledge donations made in memory of, or in honor of, another person or group, or you may keep your gift anonymous, if you prefer.) The time between when a donation is made and acknowledged in the magazine can be between six weeks and six months.
Can I donate stock? Or put High Country News in my will?
Absolutely! We have a comprehensive planned giving guide that answers specific questions about annuities, stocks and more. Please speak to your financial advisor, or email us with your questions at [email protected].
What is the Sustainers’ Club?
The Sustainers’ Club is our monthly giving membership program. Over 1,000 members (and counting) contribute to the Annual Fund each month! There are lots of GREAT reasons to join the Club:
- Your subscription to HCN will be automatically renewed at no charge for your monthly pledge of $10 or more and you can also designate a gift subscription for your monthly pledge of $20 or more!
- Donating is easy, convenient and secure and tax-deductible.
- Monthly gifts provides a regular and reliable source of income for HCN and are put to work faster.
- Your participation saves on postage and paper resources.
- You'll receive our special Friends of High Country Newsletter from Publisher Greg Hansom newsletters with behind-the-scenes information.
- You’ll join a special circle of donors and receive exclusive invitations to donor-only events
- We'll recognize your membership annually in the pages of High Country News (unless you wish to remain anonymous)
Join the Sustainers’ Club today!
Sure thing. You can contact us at [email protected] or 800-905-1155 to initiate changes right away.
I’ve heard something about the Intern Fund and the HCNU Classroom Subscription program. What are these and how are they different from a donation to your annual fund?
The Intern Fund (also known as our Intern and Fellow Fund) supports our renowned Internship program. Every six months, we hire new interns and fellows to work alongside our veteran journalists and editors. The Fund pays for their stipends, housing, training and reporting trips.
HCNU is a special, donor-funded classroom subscription program that is free for students and their instructors. For more information about that, or to sign up, go to: hcn.org/edu
We have other special programs that we raise funds for. If you are interested in supporting a particular funds - beyond general support - please connect with our fundraising team: [email protected].
My company is willing to match my philanthropic contributions. Does High Country News accept these?
We do indeed. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we receive matching donations periodically. Let us know if we need to fill out any paperwork or electronic forms.
The Research Fund is the historic name for our annual fundraising. Many people have heard the story of our legendary founder, Tom Bell. He ran the paper out of his own house, using his family’s savings and relying on passionate contributors who, like him, were more interested in getting the word out than in making a profit. However, idealism alone couldn’t pay the bills, so Tom wrote in 1973 what he thought would be the final copy of the newspaper, “We have done our best. It was not good enough.” Over the next few weeks, envelopes came pouring in the mail, filled with cash, checks and encouraging words. These readers had come to rely on the information they read in the pages of HCN and refused to let it die. The "Research Fund" was the name given to our reader-supported engine that has kept High Country News running for decades. However, since new-comers to HCN haven't been clear about the "research" part of this title, we have decided to drop it in our fundraising promotion.