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THE FUND
We're already eternally grateful for our good readers-and not just for your subscriptions, but for your good faith and patience. Still, we'd like to go even further in re-emphasizing your role as a patron of the arts. And that's why we've established The Oxford American Readers' Fund for Writers and Artists, a fund that will allow you to support the kind of writing and artwork that you believe in. It is a novel and pure concept: Every dime donated to The Fund will go directly to paying the writers or artists who create The Oxford American. Not one cent will be used for anything else.
Unlike the corporate-backed magazines we compete with, we don't have a large editorial budget, and thus we can't pay our writers as much as we'd like-and as much as their work is worth. That said, these writers, these wonderfully creative and trusting and indefatigable spirits, keep writing for us, despite the low pay.
THE GOAL FOR THE NEW OA READERS' FUND
Our editorial budget for writing and art (including photography) for 2007 averages out to $25,000 per issue (some magazines pay that much for one piece). We want to double our editorial budget for 2008 and beyond. The benefits of doing so are many:
1. The more we can pay writers, the more time they can spend on their OA work, which directly corresponds to quality.
2. We'll be able to fulfill our long-standing editorial dream of sending writers out on assignments for longer periods than we can at present afford. Giving writers more time with their projects will markedly improve the magazine's journalism and creative nonfiction.
3. Finally, but importantly, we love the notion of one day being able to have a sizable impact on the financial well-being of writers and artists. For every exception, there are probably two hundred writers and artists who struggle to make livelihoods and who struggle to focus solely on their creative work. The OA and our readers can help change that.
YOUR NEW ROLE!
So please do consider taking this step in your partnership with the Oxford American Literary Project. It will lead to even bigger and better things between us. We, of course, understand that not every reader can afford to donate a lot of money to The OA Readers' Fund, but be assured that every donation of $25 and over is something we and our writers and artists will be extremely grateful for. If we receive $25 from just one-half of our subscribers, we can reach our goal of doubling the editorial budget. Here are the five categories of donor participation that are now possible:
FRIENDS OF THE OA
I'm contributing $25 to THE READERS' FUND to help support The Oxford American Literary Project and secure the future of The Oxford American!
OA SPONSORS
I'm contributing $50 to THE READERS' FUND to help support The Oxford American Literary Project and secure the future of The Oxford American!
Thanks for my one (1) FREE ONE-YEAR GIFT SUBSCRIPTION.
SOUL DONORS
I'm contributing $100 to THE READERS' FUND to help support The Oxford American Literary Project and secure the future of The Oxford American!
Thanks for my (2) FREE ONE-YEAR GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
I'm contributing $500 to THE READERS' FUND to help support The Oxford American Literary Project and secure the future of The Oxford American!
Thanks for my (5) FREE ONE-YEAR GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS.
LIFETIME PATRONS
I'm contributing $1,000 or more to THE READERS' FUND to help support The Oxford American Literary Project and secure the future of The Oxford American!
Thanks for my (5) FREE LIFE-TIME GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS.
All contributions are tax deductible. The Oxford American magazine is published by the Oxford American Literary Project, a not-for-profit entity. Confirmation of your contribution will be mailed to you upon receipt of donation.
All Donors will be recognized in the magazine on our Donors Page.
Contributing to the OA READERS' FUND is simply done in one of two ways:
You can donate with complete security through this website,
Or you can mail your check payable to the "OA Readers' Fund" to the following address:
OA READERS' FUND
The Oxford American
201 Donaghey Avenue
Main 107
Conway, Arkansas 72035-5001
Once you've decided on your level of contribution please email the corresponding number of addresses for the recipients of your gift subscriptions to our Circulation Manager:
matt@oxfordamericanmag.com
If you would like to give but still have questions regarding The OA READERS' FUND, please feel free to contact our Publisher Ray Wittenberg at ray@oxfordamericanmag.com or call Ray at 501-733-4164.
We believe The OA READERS' FUND is a sweeping and progressive publishing concept that allows OA readers like you to single-handedly impact the quality and future of this magazine and to personally support writers and a magazine you love.
We're grateful that you share our passion, not only for the magazine itself, but for the idea of it.
Sincerely,
Marc Smirnoff
Editor & Publisher
The Oxford American Literary Project, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization.
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