Dear reader,

We need your help.

Coronavirus has brought unanticipated and significant challenges to our families and our communities. And how we respond to this pandemic is the biggest story of our lives.

At The Bee we feel a responsibility to ensure we share the full picture with you. Our team published 670 stories in March, plus uncounted videos, Q&As, newsletters and voice updates. Much of this reporting goes beyond breaking news and reflects the enterprising journalism we have consistently produced, going back 163 years. We dive deep in our reporting, delivering answers to questions both asked and anticipated. This is the kind of work that rarely appears in other local media.

We are grateful we can be here for you.

And like you, we are stressed. About our health and our ability to do our work. The pandemic has brought layoffs, furloughs and salary reductions to newsrooms large and small. Our colleagues at the Sacramento News & Review are now publishing exclusively online. We’re fighting like mad to hold the line, like many local businesses, and so far we’ve done so thanks to your readership and support via digital and print subscriptions.

But it’s a steep hill, and we’re thinking creatively about how to climb it.

If you see value in what we’re doing every day, and if you can support us, please help us bridge this gap. My news colleagues — dozens of journalists working for you here from California’s state capital — will be the direct beneficiaries of your help. And so will readers across the state.

Your tax-deductible gift can ensure we continue to report on the coronavirus and all of its impacts across our communities. We aim to raise $200,000 to keep our reporters reporting, our videographers recording and our editors at work delivering essential news and information to you.

With help from the Local Media Foundation, your gift goes directly to ensuring sustainability for The Bee and continued accountability reporting as we navigate this critical time.

The Sacramento Bee Coronavirus Reporting Fund - COVID-19 Local News Fund is a program administered by Local Media Foundation, tax ID #36‐4427750, a Section 501(c)(3) charitable trust affiliated with Local Media Association. LMF is raising funds for educational activities; specifically, to educate the public on COVID-19 issues. LMF is providing funds to this news organization and many others to support this important educational project. All money raised by this effort will go directly to support COVID-19 reporting, to make sure the public has essential facts on this important topic.

The Sacramento Bee Coronavirus Reporting Fund

Give to support The Sacramento Bee Coronavirus Reporting Fund as we cover the coronavirus crisis in our communities.