This time every year we run a fundraising campaign and we go into it with crossed fingers and nervous expectation. Every year we are floored by the kindness of readers.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to The Conversation, in recent weeks or at any time over our 15 years of publication. Because so many of you write thoughtful emails or letters, we know why you support us. Your reasons are insightful and inspiring.

Many of you enjoy reading our work and value our constructive approach to expert-led journalism. Quite a few of you appreciate the respectful tone we adopt and the way we try to lower the temperature on controversy and debate. Some readers see us as a way to fight back against rising populism and the spread of misinformation. Many of you want to give younger people better access to reliable information.

The common thread is that everyone who gives to The Conversation thinks that sharing quality information can help make the world a better place. And every donor is willing to contribute to this greater good.

Thanks to your generosity, over the next year we will continue to expand our digital storytelling so more expert insights can be shared in video, podcasting and multimedia storytelling. We’re also going to further sharpen our focus on evidence-led public policy and expand our coverage of the arts.

Everyone who works here feels a profound sense of responsibility to repay the faith you show in us, from the editorial team to the volunteers who serve on our boards, to the dedicated professional staff who keep the place running. In an industry prone to cynicism, it’s a rare privilege to work on a project that brings people together like this.

Perhaps one day I’ll learn to worry less and trust that readers of The Conversation always come through, but until then, thank you so much for coming through in 2026. And finally – you know I am obligated to say this – if you haven’t given yet you can still contribute here.