A.M.D.G.: The Transformation Continues

A Legacy of Excellence

When John Wynne, S.J., opened the first office of America Media in 1909, he had a simple yet daring vision: to create a media ministry that would give Catholics a voice in the public debate of the United States. That’s why he called it America. Over the course of a Great Depression, two world wars, eight papacies, twenty presidencies, and countless more events in the church and the world, America became the most celebrated Catholic journal in the English-speaking world.

A Transformative Decade

Like all legacy media, America was profoundly affected by the challenge of the digital revolution. By 2012, the church and the world had changed dramatically and it was clear that America Media had to change too. Under the leadership of Father Matt Malone, S.J., the youngest editor in chief in our history, the America Media team set out to turn a weekly print magazine into a multi-platform, digital-first media organization, which would lead the conversation about faith and culture in the 21st century.

In the words of Father Malone: “The goal was not to save a magazine, but to build a new media company around a powerful brand and charism. The challenge was enormous. We had to transform the content, the means of acquiring it, and the means of accessing it in ways that would meet the needs of our audience. Above all, we needed people with the smarts to know what they didn’t know; who could learn on their feet in what had become a 100-year old start up. Lastly, we had to find a way to pay for those investments, to generate the earned revenue and philanthropy needed to support our operations. It took every day of ten years, an amazing team, plus the grace of God to get here.”

Now America’s digital platforms publish news and analysis multiple times per day. In addition, America produces award-winning podcasts, video reports and daily newsletters. A quick look at the numbers tells the story of this transformative decade:

The Future: Let the Transformation Continue

Father Malone has announced that he will step down as president and editor in chief at the end of 2022, when the organization will realize the full implementation of its 10-year strategic plan. Father Malone’s leadership has been critical to achieving America’s success and impact. In order to ensure that the transformation continues, the lay-led Board of Directors of America Media has launched a year-long campaign to create and capitalize The Jesuit Legacy Fund, which will honor Father Malone’s accomplishments.

The proceeds from the Jesuit Legacy Fund will help to underwrite the operational expenses of the Jesuits assigned to America Media. A continued Jesuit presence is critical to the long-term vitality of America, for in addition to the leadership, news and analysis they offer, they also serve as guides, teachers and chaplains to the staff, the Board of Directors and America’s audience. The Jesuit Legacy Fund will cover the compensation, benefits, and other operational expenses for the Jesuits on staff, which is approximately $500,000 per year. Thus the fund will provide direct relief for the organization’s operating budget. 

With the support of the Jesuits on staff and the most talented lay professionals in the industry, America Media will continue to grow its audience across its platforms. Strategic goals include 20,000 digital subscribers, 75,000 YouTube subscribers, and 1 million podcast downloads by the end of 2025. 

In establishing The Jesuit Legacy Fund, donors will help secure the Jesuit legacy at America Media and ensure that the transformation Father Malone has begun will continue for years to come:

For the church.
For the world.
For the greater glory of God.