Thank you everybody. Our campaign is now over. ✕
Support Kit O'Connell's Gonzo SXSW Coverage
$617 raised
62% of $1k goal
23 contributors
0 days left
Ended Apr 17, 2016
Kit O'Connell is a gonzo journalist, social justice activist, and radical troublemaker from Austin, Texas. Kit got a press badge for SXSW, but needs your help to fund his coverage of the best, most unusual, and weirdest from this 9 day festival.

Hi! I'm Kit O'Connell, a "gonzo" journalist from Austin, Texas.

Gonzo means I don't try to be neutral -- I have strong opinions, and I put human rights and people power over corporate greed and mainstream party politics.

I've been a writer since my teens, but I started working seriously in journalism in 2011, when I began documenting the Occupy movement for my website and on Twitter. Since then, I've worked with websites like Firedoglake, MintPress News, Truthout and Shadowproof. 

Until today (Feb 29) I thought I'd be covering South by Southwest, the annual film, music and interactive festival in Austin for Shadowproof. Sadly, they've had to cancel my coverage leaving me with a press badge and no assignments.

I'd like to cover SXSW, for you, my readers and fans old and new. There are plenty of outlets covering the festival, but no one has my perspective. And I'll seek out artists and events that are being overlooked in the mainstream (and even alternative) press.

Thanks to the sudden change of plans, I'm making about $1000 less than I expected this month. Writing is my full time job, so I need your help so that I can cover SXSW and still pay my bills and feed myself. I'll also be using donations to help cover the expenses of new equipment I purchased in anticipation of covering this event for an independent media outlet.

I love all my readers, and I know many of us are struggling to make ends meet. Even small donations can add up quickly, but if you can't give, please share this campaign or my writing with your friends.

Thanks so much.

Read More:  Help crowdfund my SXSW coverage!



(Photos of Kit by Erica Nix. SXSW swag photo by Rachel Clarke on Flickr. Money cat photo by John on Flickr.)

Activity highlights See all24
Follow this campaign to receive updates by email.

Support Kit O'Connell's Gonzo SXSW Coverage Community

Our community shows our leading supporters and the contributions they've made or inspired by sharing our campaign.

to get your personal share link and see your position in our community.

How it works
To appear in our community, simply make a contribution to our campaign and show your name, or inspire a contribution from someone else by sharing your personal link (below). The more contributions you make or inspire, the higher you'll go and the more the campaign will benefit.

Perks
$1 USD
Thank You!
  • 3 claimed
I'll thank you on Twitter for your support!
More ... Less ...
$10 USD
Big Thanks!
  • 4 claimed
In addition to a shout-out on Twitter, I'll thank you by name, with others, in a post on my blog.
More ... Less ...
$30 USD
SXSW Swag
  • 5 claimed
  • 20 remaining
Estimated delivery Apr 2016
In return for your support, I'll send your a piece of SXSW swag in the mail. This will be something small and silly -- a button, postcard, sticker, mix tape, etc -- randomly selected from the all the stuff shared at SXSW.

It's you're chance to own a completely meaningless and worthless part of the event.

PLUS, I'll give you a shoutout on Twitter, and my web page, kitoconnell.com.
More ... Less ...
$100 USD
Sponsor An Article
  • 0 claimed
  • 6 remaining
I'll let you sponsor an article on my website. You'll get to select from a list of planned or already published topics, and I'll add a thank you at the end and a link to the URL of your choice -- your homepage, business, or a charitable cause, subject to my approval.

PLUS I'll give you a shout out on Twitter!
More ... Less ...

People just like you

People just like you have raised $135,000,000+ for causes they and their friends care about.

Start your own campaign
Recent contributions

Delete update

Delete this story update?

Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.

Cancel Delete