T-Squared: Best. Drive. Ever.

Did somebody say spring forward? I'm pleased to report that our just-completed pledge drive — April 30 to May 7 — was our most successful ever at any time of the year: We raised more than $79,000 from more than 600 donors, far surpassing our previous best (more than $58,000 from more than 340 donors in the fall of 2012). The average gift this go-round was just under $119. One-third of our donors were first-time givers. The cities with the most contributors were Austin, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Midland, Lubbock and El Paso, though we received gifts from as far away as California and Virginia. 

To our renewing members, thanks so much for supporting us again! To the newbies, welcome! Your generosity makes it possible for the Tribune to provide robust news, data and events, all through the lens of access, accountability and transparency. And if you missed out on your chance to give, well, you can always hop aboard the late train.

In year six, we couldn't be more certain that this exercise in raising the level of civic engagement only works if our friends across the state and around the country sign on at all levels to help pay our freight. It's politics and policy news of Texas, for Texas and by Texas. We're all smarter and better informed as a result — and the state is healthier for it.