February 12, 2018
Two weeks ago I made an announcement that a private donor had offered to “match every donation that comes in over the next four weeks, up to $1,000.” Last Monday, I announced that “nine donors have given $775, putting us within $225 of our goal.” That same day we met our goal and then some. We raised $3,000 from fifteen donors over the last two weeks and a total of $4,925 so far this year, almost 20 percent of the total we need to raise in 2018.
Some of you might be wondering, “What happens with that money?”
I’m glad you asked!
Of the thousands of copies of Illuminate Bible study guides and Fruit of the Vine devotional readers we print each year, many go to small Friends churches, monthly meetings, or worship groups with extremely tight budgets. We have extended credit and occasionally provide materials for free in order to support the work of Friends in those communities.
We publish at least one title each year that is important for Friends as a resource and that wouldn’t generate enough sales to earn the interest of other Christian publishers. In addition, we have gone to great lengths to keep older titles in print or to bring them back into print when no other equivalent work is available. Some of these books do eventually pay for themselves, but the up-front investment is significant. And there are no guarantees.
Because of denominational support, Barclay Press has long been able to provide at-cost, short-run print services, web development, communications support, and in-house design for a number of Quaker organizations and Friends churches. This year, we also provided closed-captioning for two video projects and nearly a dozen training sessions for churches looking to improve their communications systems.
What it comes down to is that we’re better together. This is why we pool our resources of skills, energy, time, and money. The little bit I offer goes farther and accomplishes more when it’s added to the little bit that you bring.
Thank you,
Eric Muhr
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