As the San Antonio Heron turns 3, double your impact

How are you surviving the pandemic?

It’s a question all nonprofit received many times in the past 15 months, the Heron included.

The truth is, because we’re building our news organization from the ground up while maintaining part-time jobs, we were already at the bottom looking up at every news organization in San Antonio in terms of our solvency. That’s the way it’s been for the better part of our three-year existence.

Things are changing. We’re trending upward.

In November and December, we completed our first successful fundraising campaign, with the assistance of the national NewsMatch initiative, having raised $27,000. That was you. Your donations then have carried us to this moment.

Now, for the first time in our history, we at the Heron have secured the support of a local foundation to help us raise money in the first campaign we’re organizing on our own.

We’re thrilled to announce that the H. E. Butt Foundation is contributing $10,000 in matching dollars toward our 2021 Birthday Campaign.

Here’s how it works:

Now through July 7, the H. E. Butt Foundation will double your one-time gift (up to $5,000). Or, become a monthly donor and the foundation will match the value of a full year.

Yes, I support the Heron!

With the match, we have the opportunity to raise $30,000 (our own $20,000 goal, plus $10,000 in additional matching funds). This infusion of reader support will help ensure we continue producing the high-quality, independent, local journalism you’ve come to depend on.

The time is now. Trusted journalism like ours has never mattered more.

Give today and double the impact of your donation.

What to expect this month

We hope you’ll join us at our official 2021 Birthday Campaign launch party, 6:30 p.m. Thursday at The Cherrity Bar, 302 Montana St.

We will have complementary grub for the folks who show up early, as well as door prizes, which include $50 H-E-B gift cards. You can also buy one of our new shirts!

Or, buy a shirt now for $25.

It’s also an opportunity to meet the folks who make the Heron go: the reporters and photographers, board members, and other volunteers who believe in the adage that “every thing we do is for the reader.”

I’d also like to thank everyone who attended our pre-birthday mixer two weeks ago at The Dakota East Side Ice House. We had about 50 people show up, I made a terrible speech, and it was fantastic.

Throughout June, expect more events and gatherings, including a housing discussion and San Antonio trivia night. Those events will take place at our two homes away from home, The Cherrity Bar and The Dakota East Side Ice House, as well as a new edition to the Heron event rotation: Dos Sirenos Brewery in Southtown.

On June 14, on our actual birthday, I’ll come back here and tell you more about our editorial plans for the rest of 2021. You’ll notice some changes of late, including my attempt at writing a column again, a more robust social media presence and an expanded Sunday newsletter.

More to come. With your support this month, we can do even more!

Heron Editor Ben Olivo can be reached at 210-421-3932 | ben@saheron.com | @rbolivo on Twitter