You may have been surprised to read ADvindicate's 2016 projected budget is $60,000, or wondered why it went up within a year. The simple answer – growth!
Readers are expecting more from ADvindicate, and that's a good thing. Over 37,000 people from around the world visit ADvindicate every month, and while ADvindicate offers a plethora of articles on different topics, the most-read articles are news stories. There is a significant demand for church-related news, which can often be the most time-consuming and costly to deliver.
There is only so much news that can be reported from the comfort of our homes, and because of the recent generosity of our readers, we were able to send a reporter to the 2015 Annual Council. Costs for reporting on an event like this are travel and lodging, and ADvindicate plans to report on both spring and fall councils next year too.
In addition to adding these two events, ADvindicate will be increasing its output of articles from 156 to 208 a year. Content accounts for nearly 80 percent of ADvindicate's projected 2016 budget. The remaining $12,000 is split between operations and promotions, which includes ADvindicate's annual trips to ASI and GYC. These events help expose ADvindicate to new readers and give current ones a chance to interact with ADvindicate on a personal level.
You are a big reason ADvindicate exists. By God's grace we inched along for two years without any financial assistance, but we soon realized it was unrealistic to expect much more growth without funding. In 2014, we drafted and voted a budget and stepped out in faith. God provided for every expense ADvindicate had, and more.
Prayerfully consider supporting ADvindicate financially today. We have been humbled by your generous gifts in the past, and ask that you continue to walk with us as we grow.
Shane Hilde is the publisher and founder of ADvindicate, and in his spare time teaches English at a public school in Southern California.