Thanks.
On February 14, we asked readers in South Carolina to consider supporting our surveillance and public service reports by donating to our tax-deductible Investigative Reporting Fund. We defined what we thought was an ambitious goal: raising $ 100,000 in 100 days.
In just 28 days, we raised $ 115,162.44. I know that I speak on behalf of the entire Post and Courier team by saying that we are humbled by the outpouring of support – financial and other – that we witnessed in those days.
Thanks to your generosity, we were able to invest more time and resources in Uncovered, our latest project that aims to eradicate corruption and misconduct in the state of Palmetto. As we begin Sunshine Week, the annual celebration of access to public information and meetings, we are again reminded of why our nation’s commitment to open government principles is so important.
Since the release of Uncovered, The Post and Courier and its partners have received more than 50 legitimate tips to investigate since the first installment was published. We have published seven stories so far and we have dozens more planned. Our list of partners across the state has grown to 14, and many of these news organizations have published their own stories, in addition to publishing our work. And the work is just beginning.
Better yet, the governor and several lawmakers have pledged to change the weaknesses in state law identified in our report. Further reforms are needed.
But, as we said last month, this work is expensive. We have already spent about $ 50,000 on this project by the beginning of March.
Make a donation to our research fund to support journalism like this
Our public service and investigative reporting are among the most important jobs we do. It is also the most expensive report we make. We cannot do this without your support.
So, what’s next for the Post and Courier and our fundraising goals? Ultimately, our goal is to annually fund the Watchdog and public service staff entirely through generous contributions from civic-minded South Carolina readers and citizens. Our organization spends around $ 500,000 in salaries and benefits to maintain our historic commitment to investigative, supervisory and public service journalism.
Uncovered taught us that in the pockets of South Carolina, where inspecting journalism has declined, evildoers have moved on and flourished. As we reported on March 7, ongoing vigilance will be needed to change this culture. Despite requests for reform from the most influential leaders in our state, some leaders of the organizations identified in our report believe that they can continue to spend taxpayer money as they see fit.
“I can stand firm and say that we have not done anything illegal, unethical or corrupt,” Rocky Hudson, general manager of the Lancaster County Gas Authority, told The Lancaster News after our report.
Remember that $ 130,000 of York and Lancaster taxpayers’ money was spent on a retreat – double what typical families in those counties earn in a year.
If you want to ensure that watchdogs keep watching, you can still donate to our Public Service and Investigative Reporting Fund, tax deductible.
To help us achieve our goals, you can visit postandcourier.com/donate and click on “learn more” about the Investigations Fund. You can also send a check to the Coastal Community Foundation, 1691 Turnbull Ave., North Charleston, SC 29405, and write “Post and Courier Investigative Fund” in the subject line.
There are also other ways to contribute, whether through multi-annual donations or other means. If you have additional questions, you can contact The Post and Robie Scott of Courier, director of development and community relations, at [email protected] or by calling 843-937-5766.
We appreciate your continued support.