Dear Friends and Comrades, 

Today marks the beginning of Delco Gives, a fundraising campaign sponsored by the Foundation for Delaware County in which MERIP is participating. While much of MERIP’s work is spread out over the country and the globe, we relocated our base of operations as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization to Delaware Country, Pennsylvania after I became executive director in April of 2024. The Foundation for Delaware County provides incredible support to non-profits across the county in fields that vary from maternal health to after-school programs for youth. Delco Gives is their annual campaign to drive donations to support over 300 participating nonprofits, including MERIP. 

Here’s how the campaign works: Between today and the close of Delco Gives on May 7, the more donors we log, the more support we can win from bonus pools created by the foundation. Any gift of $10 or more during this period counts, and you can make a gift through the form on our website, our page on DelcoGives or by mailing us a check. 

If you happen to live in the Greater Philadelphia area, you could also make a plan to say hello at the closing celebration for Delco Gives on May 7, at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex in Chester, Pennsylvania. There will be lots of fun events, food and an opportunity to learn about some of the amazing work our fellow nonprofits are doing in Delaware County. 

This campaign is critical for us. Last year we raised over $13,000 from more than 75 donors during Delco Gives. That money allowed us to fund our new website and launch the MERIP Podcast–critical developments that have expanded our reach and deepened our impact as a publication. In 2026, we are looking to expand our capacity to publish more frequent dispatches, critical analyses and podcasts, responding to evolving situations around the region. We can’t do this without your support.  

If you’re able to give $10 or more, please do so between now and May 7. Make a plan to give, and tell your friends and comrades too!

In Solidarity,

James Ryan
Executive Director