Editors’ Annual Appeal for Donations 2016

by Aiden Enns | Published 8th December 2016 in Social Change

Dear Reader,

Asking for money is not our specialty. We’re better at putting together an award-winning, quarterly, print magazine with keen board members and dedicated part-time staff.

But, as you know, subscriptions alone do not keep this venture going. So, we have to ask you, as we do only twice a year, please, if you can, make an extra contribution to support the work of Geez magazine.

I realize that you may already be one of our “Geez Monthly Donors.”* If that’s the case, please read this letter as a word of thanks for your ongoing support and only a gentle nudge to give more if you can.

While you’re thinking about making an extra contribution, let us fill you in on some recent highlights from behind the scenes.

Great issue on prisons coming
We are over-the-moon excited about the soon-to-ship Winter issue on the topic of prisons. We had great guest editors: singer-songwriter John K. Samson and contributing editor Miriam Meinders. We explore the implications of prison abolition for a society addicted to incarceration. Any former Bible-thumper will recall Jesus saying he has come to “set the captives free.” We take that sentiment, coming from the underside of empire, seriously.

Staff and operations update
After long-time subscription manager and associate editor Tim Runtz finished his term we hired Bethany Daman, a recent communications grad to cover circulation. We have a new business plan, thanks to a contract with Charmagne Reimer de Veer. Early next year, a consultant from Toronto, Sharon McCauley, will further assist us in business development (thanks to Magazines Canada). After three years at the magazine, assistant editor Kyla Neufeld departs in February to start her new role as editor of an online Anglican magazine, the Rupert’s Land News.

Top honours
Again this year we won several categories at the Canadian Church Press magazine awards: best photo essay by Caroline Wintoniw, best edition and layout by in-house designer Darryl Brown, and top honours for General Excellence–Magazine: “The artwork and layout are exceptional . . . the writing is first rate. Excellent letters section; this is a truly engaged readership.”

Our appeal
Please consider making a year-end contribution to the mission and work of Geez magazine. Here are some examples of what your donation may go towards:

$15 pays for a month of fair-trade coffee beans, a “perk” for workers
$25 pays an honorarium for a half-page of “flash non-fiction”
$50 pays for the publishing of one original poem
$100 pays our phone and internet connection for a month
$250 pays a month’s rent in a vibrant old church in the downtown core
$1,000 pays for a month of half-time editing and publishing

This activity is only possible with your support, dear reader. If you want to give a gift to a loved one, please see the gift subscription options online.

Sincerely,

Aiden Enns, Editor
On behalf of the board and workers
(See contact info here)

*If you wish to become a Geez monthly donor, please select the “monthly” option on our donate page or contact us at subscriptions[at]geezmagazine[dot]org.