IRE | Announcing an urgent campaign for $15,000

Please help me retire Gannett Blog on a positive note, by making one last $20 donation. But this time, I'm asking you instead to give to Investigative Reporters and Editors, the non-profit professional trade association that has offered me invaluable help over the past 20-plus years of my career. IRE's support included computer-assisted reporting training at NICAR in 1994 -- training that helped in make Gannett Blog possible in the first place.

I'm using microfunding to appeal for 750 donors to give at least $20 each. Now, I won't ask you for something I'm unwilling to do myself. So, yesterday, I donated $15,000 to this wonderful organization.

In a letter, IRE said my contribution "will help IRE complete a matching grant as part of the Challenge Fund for Journalism. The program will help IRE improve our ability to serve our members and community and continue development of our online services. Our goal is to raise $75,000 to release $50,000 in funding for IRE."

Here's a quick link to IRE's donations page.

My IRE gift honors Dr. Samuel Hughes, who died Jan. 20, 2008, in San Francisco, Calif., after a distinguished career devoted especially to the care of mothers and children worldwide, and those living with HIV.

Double your support! The Gannett Foundation will match your contribution 100% -- if you're an eligible active employee or director, and you donate a minimum $50! Just follow the link to the GannettMatch site. From the FAQ:

What is GannettMatch?
GannettMatch is a matching gift program administered by the Gannett Foundation. Our goal is to encourage eligible active employees and directors of Gannett Co., Inc. to contribute to qualifying nonprofit organizations of their choice. It is a way to double your donation to your favorite charity.

How do I participate in GannettMatch?
You make a personal donation between $50 and $10,000 per individual, per calendar year to an eligible institution. GannettMatch will match the eligible donation dollar for dollar. Gifts may be paid by cash, check, credit card or by negotiable securities that have a publicly listed market value. Gifts must be charitable contributions that are deductible under IRS regulations.

Note: The Blogger publishing platform I use was down last night just as my $15,000 cash transfer was completed, preventing me from posting this on schedule. I apologize for any confusion.

Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green rail, upper right.