By Bill Sniffin, publisher
It is so exciting to announce our November fund drive to finance the continued operations of Cowboy State Daily.
We are reaching out to the 21,000 readers in our subscriber database for financial support. No media in Wyoming has grown like this. And thanks to you, we continue to grow! Our motto is “Don’t just watch us grow – join us!”
These are critical times as we raise money to continue to grow and to continue to cover the news of Wyoming in the best way possible. We are a non-profit, 501 C 3 charitable corporation. We do not have stockholders. We are owned by YOU.
Cowboy State Daily is not yet three years old. And yet we are sending out over 100,000 newsletters to subscribers per week. We have more than 650,000 visiting our web site each month. And on Facebook, we have more then 25,000 followers.
After holding fund drives for the past three years, as publisher, I think we can identify three kinds of donors:
First is the small, loyal donor. These folks see their donation almost like a subscription or a membership. These donations come in ranging from $20 to $300. I just love getting them because so many of them include comments about the Cowboy State Daily and how much it means to them to get their unbiased Wyoming news every morning.
We save all those comments and just relish reading them again and again. It keeps our staff fired up. Even if you donate by credit card, please email me with your comments at bsniffin@wyoming.com or news@cowboystatedaily.com.
A second kind of donor is the kind of dedicated citizen who sees the importance of keeping an independent, unbiased news source alive in this state. These folks will write checks from $500 and up. There are not very many of these folks but they have the means to make a huge difference. These donations always come at a good time and mean so much.
A third kind of donor are what I call the “heavy hitters.” Wyoming, surprisingly, has a number of these folks. Their net worth often are in the hundreds of millions and sometimes even billions, such as the late Foster Friess. These folks are careful with their money and often support big national causes with big checks.
You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of heavy hitters who have supported Cowboy State Daily but we thank them and welcome even more consideration in the future. Their donations can often make the difference when it comes to setting long-term goals and even adding new programs.
And yes, we thank all our donors. From folks sending in $20 to those capable to literally changing our future operations.
So, with that introduction ,we are launching this fund drive as our readers pick up the slack and keep this news organization alive.
Cowboy State Daily is 100 percent virtual. We have no offices. All the money raised goes into paying for the services of the best reporters in Wyoming. We do not even have assistants to send out thank-you notes. Just please accept thanks from us for your past donations. And your future ones, too!
Cowboy State Daily has an incredible staff:
Jimmy Orr is our executive editor. Jim Angell is our editor. Ellen Fike is a full-time reporter while Wendy Corr and Jen Kocher fill out the staff. We have a best staff of regular columnists with Dave Simpson, Rod Miller, Dennis Sun, Jonathan Lange, Jim Hicks, Tim Mandese, Jimmy Orr, and myself. Plus, we have the best weatherman in America in Don Day and Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Michael Ramirez.
Today, nobody is covering Wyoming news like Cowboy State Daily. But it costs money to provide a daily digital newspaper six mornings a week. Thanks in advance for your checks or credit card donations.
We love it when people tell us how much they like Cowboy State Daily. Here are some examples:
Scuy and Beatrice Wallace of Cheyenne sent in a nice donation and wrote: “Thank you for publishing a true Wyoming regional newspaper. We look forward to reading it every day. Thank you so much!”
Mary Paxson made a nice donation and said: “I love the Cowboy State Daily. I love the writing especially. I think you are the last stand of journalism in Wyoming! I do enjoy the news along with the humor of the delivery.”
Janice S. of Jackson heaped a bunch of praise on Cowboy State Daily. Part of what she said was: “I have enjoyed the daily briefings of happenings around the state, which helps me feel more connected with the goings-on in Wyoming. I also enjoy the bit of humor and lightheartedness that each report bring – the daily bears and the daily dancing men. I‘ve recommended that friends and family sign up to receive the Cowboy State Daily!”
Joe Glode in Saratoga says: “I sure like your daily news feed. It sure beats Cable!”
During tough times like 2020 and even most of 2021, it helps to have someone to turn to. In the past year, Wyomingites turned to Cowboy State Daily in record numbers of subscribers.
Our staff anticipated your questions and provided the answers. You asked us about COVID-19 vaccines, hospital capacities, school issues, government tax proposals, remote learning, the changing economy, and yes, elections, too.
Our staff published over 2,000 stories, photos, videos, and providing a daily newsletter to thousands. That journalism helped thousands of people better understand how our state’s policies would impact their lives.
Thanks to our donors for helping us continue our mission of keeping Wyomingites informed. In a year when information literally saved lives, we came through. Your loyalty means so much.
Cowboy State Daily is owned by YOU. And with ownership comes responsibility. We are reaching out to our 21,000-plus names on our subscriber list and asking you to donate now. It is tax-deductible on your IRS return.
Cowboy State Daily continues to grow. We have been adding 1,000 new subscribers per month for the past year.
Our motto: Don’t Just Watch Us Grow – Join Us!” Whether you can chip in with a donation or with your continued attention, we’re so grateful for your support
Shauna Roberts of Cody sent a beautiful card with the inscription: “Thank you for the Wyoming News – just the facts – no spin!”
Marianne Bidart says: “Thank you for all the bear stories I am looking forward to hearing more about 399 and her four cubs. How about a feature on Wyoming Ranch dogs at work or being silly? This all makes me smile and have a laugh – we all need it. Many thanks to all at the Cowboy State Daily.”
Up in Buffalo, Brenda Bayliss writes: “Thanks for the news and keeping me in the loop!”
And finally, Linda Sue Golding of Dayton writes: “Keep up the good work!”
We hope folks will respond to this request for donations. It will raise money, which helps us bring you the news every day in three big ways: First, we send you this daily newsletter which we like to call Wyoming’s Morning News and second, with our big web page, which is updated all day long with statewide stories. Plus, third, we now have 25,000 followers of our Facebook page.
Please click on the donate button and donate by credit card or send your check to: Cowboy State Daily, Box 900, Lander, WY 82520.
Thanks so much!
Please click on the donate button and donate by credit card or send your check to: Cowboy State Daily, Box 900, Lander, WY 82520.
