Don't Take Main Street for Granted

Dear Main Street Journal Subscribers,

It’s that time of year when I want to persuade you to support our work, either by becoming a paid subscriber (click here) or a donor (click here).

I had a funny experience several weeks ago. A former MBA student was having dinner with me, talking about her work, and she said, “You know what has been a great resource for me? The Main Street Journal. Have you heard of it?”

By now, you also know the value of what we do. Every week, we illuminate the people, projects, organizations, and opportunities in the emerging local investment ecosystem that aims to move trillions of dollars from Wall Street to Main Street. We compile and share the latest news, opinions, jobs, and events in the field.

What you may not know is that we do all this on a ridiculously tiny budget. I’ve been writing on a volunteer basis from the outset, and Jen Risley works about half-time as our editor. And to continue doing what we do, we need to raise about $50,000 per year. That’s where you come in.

Basic math: We currently have 8,000 readers like you. If 1,000 of you—one in eight—become paid subscribers, we can pay our bills. So…if you want to see our work continue, please upgrade by clicking the button below.

I appreciate that some of you don’t have the resources to become paid subscribers. If that’s the case and you still would like to read all our material, please write to Jen (jen@themainstreetjournal.org) and we’ll make special accommodations.

Over the next few months, we will consider some new, innovative structures that would enable readers to become more directly involved in our editorial process. We might, for example, become a consumer cooperative. If this idea excites you, let us know.

Those of you with extra resources—accredited investors, philanthropists, family foundation representatives—please consider a larger gift. Two unexpected, one-time gifts last year largely covered our bills in 2024. We need your help again!

Every dollar you contribute (which is tax deductible) will generate a thousand-fold return—maybe more—to Main Street.

Again, we are grateful for your involvement in our efforts—at any level.

Many thanks, Michael Shuman - Publisher