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The Vox contributions program helps keep our explainers and every facet of our journalism free because we believe that everyone needs and deserves access to the most important information of the day. Thank you to those of you who have asked for a way to financially support Vox’s journalism. Our mission — to provide clarity that empowers our audience through understanding — has never been more important, and we are so honored that you want to play a role in it.
Of course, we couldn’t launch this initiative without first ... explaining it. So here’s everything you need to know about Vox’s contribution program.
Why does Vox have a contributions program?
Vox provides all of its content free — and we are committed to keeping it that way. We believe that explaining the news so that more people have accurate information about what’s going on, and what their place is in it, is a service that results in collective good. People come to us to learn. We hear from teachers all the time who say they use our accessible explanations in the classroom. To keep doing that, all of our work needs to be free, all the time.
How does Vox fund its journalism?
Like most news outlets, advertising, content partnerships with other platforms, grants, and financial contributions from readers all support the work that we do.
We have strict standards for editorial independence (more on that below), no matter how our journalism is funded. Whenever our work is funded by a grant, for example, you’ll see it disclosed.
Why do you need sources of funding other than advertising?
Just as it’s important for an individual to have a diversified portfolio to weather the ups and downs of the stock market, it’s important that we have several ways we make money. That ensures that we can produce ambitious journalism at a scale that the news necessitates and keep it free — no matter what the advertising market, which goes up and down with the economy, is doing. And some stories are simply too sensitive for advertisers to want their names next to. It’s essential that we have other funding to support that work.
What about editorial independence?
We take our editorial independence very seriously. We have guidelines that govern who we will and won’t take money from. And that’s because we have a responsibility to our audience to produce authoritative, accurate reporting without influence from our funders.
How will contributions be used?
Your contribution enables our staff of 148 journalists, producers, editors, and creators to offer free articles, videos, and podcasts to everyone. It helps us weather a notoriously unpredictable industry in a way that holds us accountable to you. In our first year of contributions, 10 percent of our editorial expenses were covered by financial support from readers. We hope that only grows.
Here are a few examples of what your contributions help us do:
- Explain what movements in American politics mean for the future of democracy. We’re at a turning point in American democracy. Vox has always been known for our deep, wonky politics expertise — and our ability to explain the twists and turns clearly and in context. We are uniquely suited to explain the biggest obstacles America faces going into a midterm election, at a time when the Supreme Court’s popularity with the public is at an all-time low, and the electorate tries to parse fact from fiction in a world more polarized, and rife with misinformation, than ever before.
- Create distinctive coverage with altruistic values at the core. Our Future Perfect vertical is highlighting the upgrades we can make today to fight the pandemics of tomorrow, how to combat the problems of industrial meat production on a personal and systemic level, how mindfulness and self-compassion can make you a better person, and more. We explain the existential threats to the world, as well as the effective, evidence-based ways to reduce the most suffering in the world.
- Produce compelling content for audiences on the platforms where people — especially young people — spend their time. It’s important to combat misinformation with high-quality journalism. Vox’s video team is best in class at answering big questions about the issues that matter most. With our YouTube-native journalism and our sharp news explainers on Facebook and Instagram, we are able to reach a much younger demographic. On YouTube, where 40 percent of our subscribers are under 25, we’re seeing the incredible reach of our videos on topics ranging from how to understand your own biases to Russia’s war with Ukraine to the Electoral College. These three videos together have been viewed more than 20 million times on YouTube. We’re in a unique position to spread valuable, trustworthy information to a crucial audience on platforms where disinformation often thrives.
Your financial contribution supports our work across our website, YouTube, social platforms, the radio, television, and podcasts.
Why are recurring contributions important?
Recurring monthly or annual contributions help us plan; they allow us to know how much we can budget in the year ahead to help us pay our staff, cover travel expenses, and commission freelance work.
What do I get for contributing?
All contributions support our mission to empower people with understanding and keep our unique work free. We have been surprised and delighted that for the vast majority of our community of contributors, that benefit is enough. But in addition, all Vox contributors get access to emails that highlight ways to get involved with our work and connect with our journalists.
Is this contribution tax-deductible?
No, your contribution is not tax-deductible.
How does someone make a financial contribution to Vox?
Glad you asked. You can click here to give. And thank you so much.
You can also mail a check made payable to Vox contributions to:
1201 Connecticut Ave NW
12th floor
Washington, DC 20036
