Last October, a longtime donor and subscriber emailed one of our staff, requesting a phone call from the editor. “She wants to talk to you about the needs of the magazine” was my only clue as I dialled the number. 

By the time I got off the call, I was doing a happy dance in my home office. This lovely woman had offered Broadview $50,000 toward a matching-gift fundraising campaign. I was thrilled, not only for the financial support, but also because her motivations are so in sync with our mission.

The donor, who wants to remain anonymous, supports Broadview because of its high-quality journalism covering issues in Canada and around the globe, and our effort to diversify contributors and content. She’s excited about our gift subscriptions program for Canadian inmates, and she believes everyone needs connection and “a faith of some sort” to help them through life’s difficulties. She wants to demonstrate that “people do help others.” Most of all, she’s “so glad Broadview is still going.”

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I’m so glad Broadview is still going, too, and I’m also well aware that our longevity as a publication is far from guaranteed. Our subscription and advertising revenues are diminishing, and we’re drawing too heavily from our savings to cover annual operating costs. Support from the United Church General Council (through advertising and a grant) is also in decline, with little hope of it returning to levels from even a few years ago. United Church leaders assure us that they love Broadview and support its mission. Understandably, they have difficult budget decisions to make.

In terms of our own difficult budget decisions, we will continue to cut our spending without sacrificing the quality of our journalism.

More letters from the editor:

• An update from Broadview on our diversity goal
• My family cottage is on stolen land. What am I supposed to do?
• Why solutions journalism matters to us at Broadview

Print subscriptions remain our biggest source of revenue. But fundraising is now a close second, and becoming increasingly important to our survival as a publication, both in print and online. Last year, the many generous donors to the Friends of Broadview Fund — and two unexpected estate gifts — helped us exceed our fundraising goals. If you were one of those donors, thank you. Your gifts are critical to Broadview’s success, and we feel so encouraged by your support.

If you’re considering a donation to Broadview, this month’s matching campaign is a fantastic opportunity because your gift will be doubled by our generous donor, up to a maximum of $50,000 (go to Broadview.org/donate). I know she would be delighted to learn that her example inspired your decision to donate. And if we hit our goal before May 31, she might even break into a happy dance of her own.

P.S. As this issue went to print, Russia was continuing its brutal war on Ukraine. Broadview freelance journalist Matthew Best is in Lviv, Ukraine, reporting stories for our audience. Visit Broadview.org for all our Ukraine coverage.

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Jocelyn Bell is the editor-publisher of Broadview.

This editorial first appeared in Broadview’s June 2022 issue with the title “Keep dancing.”

We hope you found this Broadview article engaging. 

Our team is working hard to bring you more independent, award-winning journalism. But Broadview is a nonprofit and these are tough times for magazines. Please consider supporting our work. There are a number of ways to do so:

• Subscribe to our magazine and you’ll receive intelligent, timely stories and perspectives delivered to your home 8 times a year. 
• Donate to our Friends Fund.
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Thank you for being such wonderful readers.

Jocelyn Bell

Editor/Publisher