The First: Join FAC’s Donor Circle

SUPPORT FAC

THE FIRST:
FAC's DONOR CIRCLE

be The First
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First celebrates icons, journalists, activists, and attorneys who embody the rights and values FAC fights for every day–to speak truth to power, to publish uncomfortable facts, and to harness the power of the people to bring about change.  Join their fight–our fight. Join The First, a circle of supporters who understand their investment in FAC is essential to protect and promote government transparency, free expression, and freedom of the press. Protect our vital freedoms and be The First!

be The First
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First celebrates icons, journalists, activists, and attorneys who embody the rights and values FAC fights for every day–to speak truth to power, to publish uncomfortable facts, and to harness the power of the people to bring about change.  Join their fight–our fight. Join The First, a circle of supporters who understand their investment in FAC is essential to protect and promote government transparency, free expression, and freedom of the press. Protect our vital freedoms and be The First!

LEVELS AND BENEFITS

ADVOCATES: $10+

GUARDIANS: $250+

Level Benefit

  • The First Donor Circle Membership card

IDA TARBELL MUCKRAKERS:  $750+

Ida Minerva Tarbell was an American writer, investigative journalist, biographer and lecturer. She was one of the leading muckrakers and reformers of the Progressive Era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was a pioneer of investigative journalism.

Investigative Journalist and Muckraker

Level Benefit

All the gifts above and: 

  • FAC Welcome Gift (updated annually)

DANIEL ELLSBERG LEADERS: $1,000+

Daniel Ellsberg’s 1971 leak of the Pentagon Papers prompted a watershed moment in American politics, journalism, and law, pitting the Nixon administration against the press in the U.S. Supreme Court case New York Times v. United States, which remains at the bedrock of First Amendment law. Wikipedia

Activist and Government- Transparency Crusader

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and: 

  • Recognition on FAC’s website 
  • Invitation to Annual Zoom Event with FAC Leadership

Tim Giago GROUNDBREAKERS: $2,500+

Tim Giago founded the first independently owned Native American newspaper in the United States, the Lakota Times, which expanded from a tiny operation on the Pine Ridge Reservation to cover all reservations in South Dakota and, eventually, Native American affairs nationwide. He renamed the paper Indian Country Today, which by 2005 was the largest Native American paper in the country. In 1984, he founded the Native American Journalists Association.  

Yankton Dakota Sioux Activist and Writer

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and: 

  • Quarterly Executive Director’s Update 

FLORENCE PERLOW SHIENTAG TRAILBLAZERS:  $5,000+

Florence Perlow Shientag was the first woman to argue a First Amendment free expression case before the U.S. Supreme Cour, representing the Appellant in Superior Films v. Dept. of Education of Ohio, which struck down a state law that allowed administrative agencies to refuse movie licenses (a form of censorship).

First Amendment Attorney

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and: 

  • Annual luncheon with FAC staff members in your area

JOVITA IDAR GAMECHANGERS:  $10,000+

Jovita Idar Vivero was an early 20th-century American journalist, teacher, political activist, and civil rights worker who championed the cause of Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants.

Mexican-American journalist

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • Member of The First Guarantors of FAC’s legal work, including our Subpoena Defense Initiative and amicus projects, with a yearly update

JOHN LEWIS CHAMPIONS:  $20,000+

A source of inspiration for many of us, John Lewis was an American politician and civil rights activist and one of the "Big Six" leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. Congressman Lewis served in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 until his death in 2020. 

Congressman, civil rights hero

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • Invitation to Sacramento to view our legislative advocacy work in action and lunch with FAC’s Advocacy Director

IDA B. WELLS VISIONARIES:  $25,001+

Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist, educator, and activist for women’s rights and the suffrage movement. An early leader in the civil rights movement, she was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 

Activist and Journalist

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • As available, an invitation to observe FAC’s Legal Director present oral arguments in court and join him for a private lunch
  • Customized Benefits

ADVOCATES: $10+

GUARDIANS: $250+

Level Benefit

  • The First Donor Circle ID Card

IDA TARBELL MUCKRAKERS:  $750+

Ida Minerva Tarbell was an American writer, investigative journalist, biographer and lecturer. She was one of the leading muckrakers and reformers of the Progressive Era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and was a pioneer of investigative journalism.

Investigative Journalist and Muckraker

Level Benefit

All the gifts above and: 

  • FAC Welcome Gift (updated annually)

DANIEL ELLSBERG LEADERS: $1,000+

Daniel Ellsberg’s 1971 leak of the Pentagon Papers prompted a watershed moment in American politics, journalism, and law, pitting the Nixon administration against the press in the U.S. Supreme Court case New York Times v. United States, which remains at the bedrock of First Amendment law. Wikipedia

Activist and Government- Transparency Crusader

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and: 

  • Recognition on FAC’s website 
  • Invitation to Annual Zoom Event with FAC Leadership

Tim Giago GROUNDBREAKERS: $2,500+

Tim Giago founded the first independently owned Native American newspaper in the United States, the Lakota Times, which expanded from a tiny operation on the Pine Ridge Reservation to cover all reservations in South Dakota and, eventually Native American affairs nationwide. He renamed the paper Indian Country Today, which by 2005 was the largest Native American paper in the country. In 1984, he founded the Native American Journalists Association. Wikipedia.  

Yankton Dakota Sioux Activist and Writer

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and: 

  • Quarterly Executive Director’s Update 

FLORENCE PERLOW SHIENTAG TRAILBLAZERS:  $5,000+

Florence Perlow Shientag was the first woman to argue a First Amendment free expression case before the U.S. Spreme Court, representing the Appellant in Superior Films v. Dept. of Education of Ohio, which struck down a state law that allowed administrative agencies to refuse movie licenses (a form of censorship).

First Amendment Attorney

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • Recognition on FAC’s website 
  • Annual luncheon with FAC staff members in your area

JOVITA IDAR VIVERO GAMECHANGERS:  $10,000+

Jovita Idar Vivero was an early 20th-century American journalist, teacher, political activist, and civil rights worker who championed the cause of Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants.

Mexican-American journalist

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • Member of The First Guarantors of FAC’s legal work, including our Subpoena Defense Initative and amicus projects, with a yearly update

JOHN LEWIS CHAMPIONS:  $20,000+

A source of inspiration for many of us, John Lewis was an American politician and civil rights activist and one of the "Big Six" leaders of groups who organized the 1963 March on Washington. Congressman Lewis served in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 until his death in 2020. 

Congressman, civil rights hero

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • Invitation to Sacramento to view our legislative advocacy work in action and lunch with FAC’s Advocacy Director

IDA B. WELLS VISIONARIES:  $25,001+

Ida B. Wells was an investigative journalist, educator, and activist for women’s rights and the suffrage movement. An early leader in the civil rights movement, she was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 

Activist and author

Level Benefits

All the gifts above and:

  • As available, an invitation to observe FAC’s Legal Director present oral arguments in court and join him for a private lunch
  • Customized Benefits