In early November, you will receive the first in a series of email requests from Persimmon Tree as we begin a vitally important fundraising campaign. Our goal: to raise $30,000. This is twice the amount we have ever before tried to raise—and it is essential that we achieve it. Here’s why:

We do not charge for subscriptions or for reading submissions — and we wish to continue that policy. Yet rising prices have begun to outpace our fundraising efforts — despite our very tight budget, which does not include any payment for our all-volunteer editorial staff.

In recent years, we have received donations during each semi-annual fundraiser from several hundred people—and we are tremendously grateful to those donors. Yet the Persimmon Tree community includes nearly 8,000 subscribers. Imagine how easily we could reach our $30,000 goal –

• If every subscriber who has not yet donated to Persimmon Tree opts in.
• If everyone who has donated before increases their contribution.
• If everyone who is able to makes their donations an automatic monthly recurring gift. And if those who are currently making a monthly donation, increase that monthly donation. Monthly gifts help build more security in Persimmon Tree’s cash flow. And please note: those who give monthly will be recognized for their sustaining gifts as members of the Persimmon Tree Taproot Society.

Bringing the wisdom and inspirational creativity of older women to an ever-increasing readership remains our mission and our ultimate goal—a mission that has been our hallmark for 17 years. We cannot continue fulfilling that mission without your increased financial support.

Look for our fundraising emails in November. Please honor our fellow members of the Persimmon Tree community—and the wisdom and creativity of women 60 years and older—by being as generous as possible.