First Tico Times donors fund stories on environment, security

At The Tico Times, we topped off a year of lofty goals with another one: to turn 5 percent of our readers into subscribers by the end of 2019.

Why 5 percent? Well, if those readers chipped in at least $24 for the year (just $2 per month), we’d be able to cover our basic costs. We’d be able to dedicate more of our efforts and 100 percent of our ad revenue to expanding our coverage and offering more resources and trainings for young journalists.

We announced this goal on Nov. 27 and have been overwhelmed by the response from our first 124 subscribers. These founding members of The Tico Times 5% Club have already covered the costs of:

• One woman’s brave quest to get to the heart of street harassment: Readers funded Tico Times intern Alissa Grosskopf’s podcast, recorded on the streets of San José and now in production. Her goal: to explore causes and cures for the harassment so many women experience every day in Costa Rica (and beyond).
• A thoughtful look at herbicide use: Assistant Editor Alex Villegas captured the opposing views of residents opposing herbicide use in Santa Teresa, and the farmers who say they see no other way to make ends meet. Don’t miss this story about not only environment and health, but also the complex relationship between international residents and the communities they love.
• An exploration of water issues in Santa Teresa: Reporter Alejandro Zúñiga took a look at the environmental challenges, particularly water management, that have resulted from Santa Teresa’s tourism boom.

Join us as club members today and spread the word to others who love The Tico Times, or should get to know us. As members, you’ll receive exclusive content, early releases and weekly access to our reporting staff through private Facebook Live sessions where you can comment, ask questions and propose stories.

To all those who have already shown their support – thank you thank you thank you, y Feliz Año Nuevo.