Good day, NJ Highlanders.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that time of the year again. You know, that moment that I’ve told you all about in the past \u2013 the thought I dread every year:<\/p>\n
\u201cHow in the heck am I going to keep the New Jersey Highlands News<\/em> project alive for another year while paying my mortgage and other bills?\u201d <\/strong><\/p>\n Sadly, funding continues to be scarce for this project, so once again I\u2019m asking you, the readers, for your direct help. In the past, the New Jersey Highlands News<\/em> had received financial support from other charitable foundations, but that has not been the case the past few years. (Again this year, let me remind you of\u00a0 two articles \u2013 providing an interesting perspective on foundational funding in the environmental movement from two very well respected environmentalists\/journalists \u2013 ‘Time for environmental funders to stop neglecting the grassroots<\/a>,’ by Grist\u2019s David Roberts and ‘Why the Environmental Movement Is Not Winning<\/a>,’ by New Jersey\u2019s own Peter Montague.) <\/em><\/p>\n The good news, however, is that once again there is a generous grant from the Victoria Foundation<\/a> to help match what you contribute! The Musconetcong Mountain Conservancy<\/a><\/strong> did received a $5,000 grant again this past July from the New Jersey Highlands Coalition Small Grants Program<\/a><\/strong> to help support the New Jersey Highlands News <\/em>project. And another generous donor has made a significant contribution to the project as well. Even with that, we are still funded for less than a third of the cost needed to keep the project alive. Once again, the remainder of funding will need to come from the generosity and support of local conservation organizations, grassroots groups, planning and legal professionals, and individual activists like you.<\/strong><\/p>\n I know that like me, many of you are stretched thin by continuing tough economic conditions, so it\u2019s by no means easy for me to ask for your assistance. A contribution of any size will be much appreciated and helpful.<\/p>\n Great! Just follow these four easy steps:<\/p>\n 1) Go to the New Jersey Highlands Coalitions Gift Contribution web page<\/strong> at http:\/\/www.njhighlandscoalition.org\/HTML\/join_contribute.html<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n 2) Select an amount from the \u201cradio buttons\u201d under Gift Contribution: SINGLE PAYMENT<\/strong>, or choose \u201cOther\u201d by filling in an amount in the blank box.<\/p>\n 3) Next, the most important step! In the \u201cMemo\u201d box under\u00a0SINGLE PAYMENT<\/strong> options, type in \u201cNew Jersey Highlands News\u201d<\/strong> so that your contribution is dedicated to New Jersey Highlands News<\/em> funding for 2014.<\/p>\n 4) Finally, click \u201cDonate\u201d under\u00a0SINGLE PAYMENT<\/strong> options<\/strong>, and you will be directed to a secure PayPal payment page<\/strong>, where you will need to fill out the appropriate information and make payment by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or your own PayPal account.<\/p>\n It\u2019s that simple.<\/strong> And since the New Jersey Highlands Coalition<\/a><\/strong> is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and will acknowledge your contribution upon receipt, your donation will be tax deductible. <\/strong><\/p>\n If you prefer not to contribute via the online process, checks are also accepted. Make your check out to \u201cNJ Highlands Coalition\u201d and please write \u201cNJ Highlands News\u201d in the memo portion of the check.<\/strong><\/p>\n Checks should be mailed to:<\/strong> The New Jersey Highlands News<\/em> project is completing its seventh<\/em><\/strong> year of operation \u2013 can you believe that? Born on April 12, 2007 as an unfunded discussion list with approximately 60 hard-core Highlands activists as subscribers, the list has grown to now include over 370 daily readers, folks whom I like to consider absolutely THE most informed in the region on Highlands issues. <\/strong><\/p>\n Our mission is to provide an electronic outlet for distribution of news and information to educate the public about the Highlands <\/strong>\u2013 its water, and its natural, culture and historic resources \u2013 and increase awareness of important Highlands issues. A simple and worthy objective, but without the necessary funding, the possibility of the New Jersey Highlands News<\/em> project ending in 2014 is very real.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nSo are you ready to help?<\/h4>\n
\nNew Jersey Highlands Coalition
\nAttn: Highlands News Matching Contribution Fund
\n508 Main Street
\nBoonton, NJ 07005<\/p>\nYour contribution is important.<\/h4>\n