Dear Westar members and donors,
First and foremost, we want to thank all members of the Westar Institute for your consistent participation and support. We also want to thank all who donate to Westar, whether members or not. Westar could not be what it is, and could not dream about what it can become, without your steady encouragement. On behalf of the Board of Directors and all the staff that make Westar work, we are most grateful to you.
With this letter, Westar is launching its annual fall fundraising appeal. From now until the end of December 2024, we seek to raise a total of $100,000 to continue the research, programming, and educational courses that define the Westar mission of literacy in religion.
We are hoping to end 2024 with a small surplus of approximately $5,000 to enable funding for a new startup seminar in 2025 entitled “Idolatry and Power.” The seminar was introduced at our annual conference this past May in Salt Lake City. The scholars needed to carry out the project are now together, so it is time to launch the seminar and you can help make that happen.
To help us reach our fundraising goal, two vital members of Westar have combined their resources to put up a $50,000 challenge to the membership. Every donation given this fall will be matched up to $50,000, which means that we can reach our ambitious total provided members and donors chip in to make it happen.
The Westar membership has grown to over 650 people on the new Westar membership platform, but of that number only about 80 people regularly donate to Westar. We know that we can do better. Not everyone can give large donations, but every donation counts and helps us do more. If you have never donated to Westar but value your membership and the resources that Westar offers, please consider a gift this fall.
To sweeten the pot, we are including special gifts to encourage members and friends to give an extra amount this year. For every donation of $100 or more, we will send the donor a special “Jesus didn’t say that” Westar coffee mug. For every donor who gives $200 or more, we will send the donor a signed hardcover copy of Dominic Crossan’s latest book, Paul the Pharisee. If you are in the position to give an exceptional gift of $500 or more, you will get both gifts and an opportunity to spend with other exceptional donors one hour in conversation with Dominic Crossan.
Many organizations flood social media with unfounded research, pseudo-science, and misleading theological and biblical claims. It is unfortunately easy to communicate false information. Westar offers sincere and honest research to the public to ensure that information about the Christian and other religious traditions is based on sound, reliable scholarship. However, it takes time to provide well-founded research to the public, and time means money. Westar takes research seriously, but research is an investment, and we are asking our members and friends to invest in the needed time and effort that supports authentic learning. Your donation helps Westar achieve its goals, and it also helps other seekers find a home in our community of honesty in religion.
Donations of $100 to $199 receive the Westar "Jesus Didn't Say That" coffee mug.
Donations of $200 to $499 receive a signed hardcover copy of Dominic Crossan’s latest book.
Donations of $500 or more receive both items above.
Westar has accomplished so much over the years and yet there is always so much more to do. Your membership helps sustain Westar, but your donation helps Westar grow. Please consider giving a special gift to Westar this fall and help us reach our goal.
A big thank you for your considered support.
Sincere good wishes,
-Dennis Mahar, Chair of Westar Development Committee
-David Galston, Executive Director, Westar Institute
Westar Institute is a 501(c)3 non-profit, public-benefit research and educational organization. All donations are tax-deductible.
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