I work on a much smaller scale, but since I started a new Section called "Street Cred," I've shared all proceeds from new subscriptions with the "subjects" of the essays, i.e., my "unhoused" friends who live on the streets by day and wherever they can by night. I have about 500 subscribers total and about 70 paid. Almost half of those paid have come since I started this Section about six months ago. The money (with I admit a good amount of my own) has bought a tent, sleeping bags, train tickets, gas to visit kids in foster care, a photography class, a lot of food from the Coop (by handing out gift cards), boots, outerwear, and all kinds of other essentials (including, undoubtedly, some drugs, despite my best efforts to avoid this when possible.) As far as being "donations", I'm planning to write off a portion of these as "business expenses" since I honestly see the money as part of the research for my writing. In fact I may give one guy, who has answered many of my questions about the practicalities of life on the streets, a 1099. He's earned it. (And could probably get a nice earned income credit if I do.) I know I'm fortunate to be able to make money with other writing and, for now, don't need to depend on Substack income, but I think"tithing" of some sort is a worthwhile topic for any writer to consider who can afford to do so.
I wanted to do this with my Substack so I checked with our accountant. He told me that if I wanted to remain a sole proprietor, it could become a tax problem because all the subscription amount would count as taxable income. Apparently the IRS makes no allowances for sole proprietors who want to donate Substack revenue. This doesn't make it impossible, but it would diminish the amount that could be donated. I'm still interested, so I'd love to get someone else's perspective on this.
Sorry for the delay here Mika - totally missed this. Yes! Since writers handle charitable donations on their own, you can essentially donate however much of the revenue you want to charities and handle that sliding scale. Jose Andres is a good example - he now donates $10 from each subscription to World Central Kitchen rather than all revenue and talks about this on his About page: https://joseandres.substack.com/about
I work on a much smaller scale, but since I started a new Section called "Street Cred," I've shared all proceeds from new subscriptions with the "subjects" of the essays, i.e., my "unhoused" friends who live on the streets by day and wherever they can by night. I have about 500 subscribers total and about 70 paid. Almost half of those paid have come since I started this Section about six months ago. The money (with I admit a good amount of my own) has bought a tent, sleeping bags, train tickets, gas to visit kids in foster care, a photography class, a lot of food from the Coop (by handing out gift cards), boots, outerwear, and all kinds of other essentials (including, undoubtedly, some drugs, despite my best efforts to avoid this when possible.) As far as being "donations", I'm planning to write off a portion of these as "business expenses" since I honestly see the money as part of the research for my writing. In fact I may give one guy, who has answered many of my questions about the practicalities of life on the streets, a 1099. He's earned it. (And could probably get a nice earned income credit if I do.) I know I'm fortunate to be able to make money with other writing and, for now, don't need to depend on Substack income, but I think"tithing" of some sort is a worthwhile topic for any writer to consider who can afford to do so.
Wow, David. That's really fantastic. Thanks for sharing what you're doing. So specific and so direct to those who need it.
Think so too!
Wow, that's a lovely idea, David. Would love to learn more.
feel free to write if you have specific questions. the essays (a couple of dozen) are at https://davidblistein.substack.com/
What a great idea!
I wanted to do this with my Substack so I checked with our accountant. He told me that if I wanted to remain a sole proprietor, it could become a tax problem because all the subscription amount would count as taxable income. Apparently the IRS makes no allowances for sole proprietors who want to donate Substack revenue. This doesn't make it impossible, but it would diminish the amount that could be donated. I'm still interested, so I'd love to get someone else's perspective on this.
Thanks for sharing what these writers are doing.
I was just thinking about this. Is it possible to slide the percentage donated to charity? Eg 50% goes to charity?
This would be great and myaybe for specific awareness months.
Sorry for the delay here Mika - totally missed this. Yes! Since writers handle charitable donations on their own, you can essentially donate however much of the revenue you want to charities and handle that sliding scale. Jose Andres is a good example - he now donates $10 from each subscription to World Central Kitchen rather than all revenue and talks about this on his About page: https://joseandres.substack.com/about
Amazing!!!!
Thanks for sharing ❤️🙏🏼 - Ayni