A few months ago, we asked our readers to take a survey about the Talbot Spy and how we might improve things. That input was extremely valuable, particularly in terms of how and when the newspaper should seek philanthropic support to help cover the Spy’s coverage of public affairs and culture.
The message coming back to us was pretty clear. The vast majority of you requested that we solicit donations from them only once a year, and we have agreed with that suggestion.
This week, we will launch our one-time campaign to support the Talbot Spy in 2025. I hope you will consider making a yearly donation to help keep this community news source operational, particularly during these challenging times.
I’d like to believe that our case for support for the Spy comes to you every day, 365 days a year, in the form of our 3 pm email blast and website updates. From our unbiased coverage of important local elections to celebrating local artists, the Spy has informed and sometimes delighted the community we all love so much daily since 2011.
The Talbot Spy runs lean, but our expenses are real—about $100,000 a year for our team of 15 writers and reporters, plus $20,000 for tech support and web services. Our generous ad sponsors help, but each year we rely on a small group of readers to close the gap, so the Spy can remain free and accessible to all in our community.
There is no precise dollar figure for the June campaign, but it requires approximately $50,000 from individual and foundation donations to maintain a balanced budget.
On behalf of all of us at the Talbot Spy, we would sincerely appreciate your support.
Please make a donation using this link, or one can send a personal check to the following:
CSM – Talbot Spy Fund
Mid-Shore Community Foundation
102 East Dover Street
Easton, MD 21601
With gratitude,
Dave Wheelan
Publisher and Executive Editor | The Talbot Spy
