Support the Project
We are a not-for-profit project that relies on reader donations – no ads, no paywalls, just the generosity of our community. If you like what we do and want to see it continue, please do become a Friend or make a one-off gift below.
Join our club of loyal supporters with a recurring annual donation — the bedrock that keeps the project alive.
Twice a year, Friends receive one of our postcard packs: eight postcards curated around a theme, with a textual insert.
Also: 15% off prints · your name on our Friends page · first refusal on limited PDR Press editions · an end-of-year letter from the Editor
Choose your level of support, paid yearly
If you’d prefer to give a one-off gift rather than become a Friend, then this is, of course, also very welcome! Please note, you won't get postcards nor other Friend perks through this method, and we can only accept donations in USD.
Why support us?
Put simply, without support from our readers, the PDR could not continue. Everything we publish is free to read — no paywalls, no intrusive advertising — because we believe in a cultural commons open to all. This means we need to rely on the generosity of those who enjoy the site. It’s this generosity that allows us to keep scouring the world’s archives for the curious and the overlooked, and to provide a platform for writers and scholars to share their work. At a time when the internet is increasingly awash with AI-generated images and misattributed “history”, carefully researched, properly sourced material — and the human creativity it embodies — matters more than ever.
By giving, you also join a wider fight to keep the public domain free from restrictions as it moves online. This vast commons the PDR celebrates is an invaluable good which — like our natural environment and our physical heritage — deserves to be recognised and protected.
Where does the money go?
All of it goes back into the project. The PDR is registered in the UK as a Community Interest Company: we have no shareholders, and by law our income must be used for the benefit of the community we serve. In practice, that means the 100+ hours a week our small team puts into running the site, our writers’ fees, rising server costs, and IT support.
How much do we need?
Having grown organically over more than fifteen years, the PDR remains a relatively inexpensive project to run. We currently receive a little over $170,000 a year in donations, just enough to keep us afloat. Our aim is to reach $200,000 a year by 2028. That would let us commission more writers, develop new tools for browsing our collections, and move a step closer to taking on a (much-needed) additional full-time member of the team.
Can I give at a higher level?
Yes, and it would be warmly welcomed. Please do get in touch at adam.green@publicdomainreview.org – we’d love to hear from you. If you’re in the US, see below about giving tax-deductibly.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
US supporters giving $1,000 or more can give tax-deductibly through our US fiscal sponsor, Media Alliance, a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 94-2563400). This includes gifts made through a donor-advised fund. Just email Adam on adam.green@publicdomainreview.org and we can share more details. All other donations, including US gifts under $1,000 made through this page, are not tax-deductible.
When will I receive my postcard packs?
Packs are posted twice a year, in January and July. New Friends receive the next pack after they join.
Can I get past postcard packs?
Yes. Friends can buy past packs, while stocks last, at a special Friends’ price. See past packs here.
How do I update my details or cancel?
Just email support@publicdomainreview.org and we’ll take care of it.
Are there other ways I can help?
Of course. Another great way to contribute to the project is to buy something from our online shop – we end up with about 20% from each item sold. Also, of course, spreading the word as much as possible, letting people know about the project, all helps a lot.
Any other questions please feel free to email us on support@publicdomainreview.org.
