Dear reader,

I’m writing to tell you about a major commitment that a national journalism foundation has made to The Lens, and I’m asking you to join them in an important effort.

For the next month, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will match your tax-deductible  donation to The Lens, up to $1,000. The foundation is doing this, in part, to combat the rise of fake news by strengthening nonprofit news outlets with solid records of honest, fearless nonpartisan reporting.

The Lens is one of 57 organizations Knight is supporting nationwide, and one of only a dozen dedicated to online coverage of a local community. This is an incredible vote of confidence in The Lens — and in New Orleans.

As someone who appreciates the public-interest reporting of The Lens, you’ve already shown your appreciation unique local news that’s making a difference in our community.

Please make a donation and become a member of The Lens community today — so your gift will go twice as far. If you’re already a member, thank you. I’d be grateful if you would consider another contribution during this matching period, or help spread the word about The Lens to others.

Sincerely,
Steve Beatty
Publisher and CEO of The Lens

Steve Beatty is the publisher and chief executive officer of The Lens. He worked as an editor for The Times-Picayune for 15 years, leaving New Orleans just before Katrina to take a position as an editor...