Today is crucial. The next 24 hours will in large part decide the future of Nebraska music's biggest supporter: my nonprofit, Hear Nebraska.
For me, today will determine whether my job is sustainable. You see, as managing editor, I am Hear Nebraska's only paid employee. My boss Andrew Norman admitted he had no idea if this position was secure when he called to hire me in December 2011.
At that point, HN had raised a little less than $4,000 in its first year. Quitting my job at the newspaper meant that I would take a sharp pay cut. I would earn $1,000 a month as HN's part-time managing editor, multimedia journalist, copy editor, online editor and social media manager: a good deal more responsibility.
My decision to accept Andrew’s offer took a few seconds to make.
I knew the difference I could make in helping to grow my state's most creative, productive and, yes, revolutionary nonprofit. Starting as a summer intern in 2011 and continuing as managing editor in 2012, I've worked with more than 100 contributors and 26 interns to produce more than 1,700 feature stories.
We have hosted more than 50 concerts and gained a following online that far outnumbers my hometown's population.
And because of the thousands of supporters who contribute to Hear Nebraska, I was promoted to full-time this past February.
My job is paid for only by donors. And today, on the second Give to Lincoln Day, Hear Nebraska stands to earn a share of a $200,000 matching grant.
Help the world hear Nebraska
Donate to HN today before midnight: http://givetolincoln.com/hearnebraska.
I’m asking you to help because this year, Hear Nebraska would like to outdo ourselves again. We'd like to host more shows like Hear Lincoln, our weekly summer concert series starting this Friday, which is sponsored by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
We want to forge more partnerships like the one we've established with NET and Omaha Performing Arts to produce "Hear Nebraska – Live at the 1200 Club" June 7, which will be broadcast statewide on public television.
This fall, we'll be releasing our second compilation of great Nebraska songs. This winter, we're redesigning our website to present our compelling stories on a platform that Nebraska music deserves.
And among a long list of other projects in the works, we're developing a mobile app called HN Radio that will share Nebraska music directly through its songs and stories.
Please help decide the future of Hear Nebraska. Let's make it a bright one.
Michael Todd is Hear Nebraska's managing editor. He has a good feeling today. Reach him at michaeltodd@hearnebraska.org.