A 21st century Quaker media project deserves a 21st century funding model. As we have watched some of the traditional funding streams for Quaker organizations begin to fade, we have also seen the evolution of modern crowdfunding tools. Projects like podcasts, youtube channels, and blogs have greatly benefited from the power of a passionate audience, if they are willing to support the projects that are meaningful to them.

That’s why we seek to innovate the funding model for Quaker organizations in the 21st century. Instead of relying solely on traditional nonprofit funding models like grants and major donors, we are asking a simple question: If we publish content people love, can our projects reach sustainability through the support of their listeners, readers, and viewers? It’s up to you.

At it’s current audience levels, if 6% of podcast listeners signed up to support the project at $10 or more per month, our podcast would be fully sustainable. Currently about 2% of listeners support the project, and our percentage goal goes down as we reach even more listeners every year. It’s a similar story with the Daily Quaker Message, although that project is just in the beginning of its second year so we have less data (even less for our brand-new video project!) Either way, we believe that enough listeners and readers care about these projects continuing to be free and accessible to all seekers everywhere—that we are aiming for sustainability.

Presently, grants and traditional fundraising make up the vast majority of funding for our three projects. We are so grateful to the granting organizations and donors who believe in our vision for a faithful, visible Religious Society of Friends in the 21st century. Their bold choice to support this fledgling Quaker organization is the reason you found our podcast, daily message, or video project in the first place.

But as more and more folks like you discover one of our projects and decide to support it, each project finds itself on a path to greater growth and greater meaning. We are excited about the powerful potential for making each of these projects more sustainable, more independent, and more courageous. Thank you for your consideration… your support has the power to be a game-changer for the future of Quakerism.