Help save Old West Daily Reader

I am R.W. Doc Boyle, Head word Wrangler and Trail Boss of Old West Daily Reader. A website about American Western History, today, encompassing over 3,000 pages of interesting and useful information. The site is a primer to the people, places and events that define and introduce the great story that still affects the culture, ethics, law, and politics of the United States. I believe it is the largest and most complete, single point perspective of Western History on the internet (online since 2011). I add content to the site almost daily. Currently, a subscription site at $20. U.S. per year, there is no advertising.

I am now 80 years old, and I am seeking ways to preserve and pass on this unique work. I have never had sufficient funds to advertise so I have very few subscribers. Most are free ones I have given to museums and such. My limited funds do well to cover the annual costs of around $1,500 to keep the site in operation. I estimate that I have spent perhaps 25 to 30 thousand dollars over the years to create and maintain it. My ability to continue is waning with age and lack of funds. My Social Security of $915 a month leaves little to spare.

Current goals:

Short term…

I need funding to replace my annual contributions. I’m having trouble feeding me and the project.

I have a good technical and web company, currently costing about $800 per year.

Other maintenance costs, hosting, security, and other support apps at about $700 per year (variable).

This would leave me with more funds to live on and remove considerable economic stress.

I continue to add content almost daily and I am writing an operations manual for the project.

Long term…

I would like to make the site free to use for all.

I’m looking for a Western History entity: museum, magazine, educational institution, etc.

as a sponsor or owner. Very open to options and solutions to accomplish this.

This is not a terribly expensive search, but there are costs…

I’m also considering a 501c3 non-profit. This would require some kind of a funding base

(small foundation?) and a board of directors, etc. Any lawyers out there want to help?

Considering Jimmy Wales problems with Wikipedia, this may not be the way?

No matter how the above works out, I will need to train a new administrator/editor.

This likely needs to be a paid position. Estimating about $5,000 per year to start.

Right now this is me, but it needs to be a younger person.

I will stay a contributor, as long as I am able.

I will give a free subscription for donations of $100 +. I will answer questions and provide

additional information as requested.

Look up: OWDR FAQ's

The site is: https://oldwestdailyreader.com/

Thanks for your consideration,

Doc