The unconventional fundraising effort organized to benefit the Tampa Bay Times feels at times like a sort of Yelp for journalism, with the campaign’s website gathering testimonials for its journalists that are the equivalent of 5-star ratings.

“Thank you for the stories you tell and reporting the news,” wrote a benefactor making a $100 donation in the name of Pulitzer-winning feature writer Lane DeGregory. “Your strong writing pokes hearts, minds, and funny bones,” a $500 donor wrote about columnist Stephanie Hayes. “That’s rare, and we appreciate you.” A $250 donor honoring arts and music reporter Maggie Duffy said simply: “Excellent coverage of the Arts. Thanks for your good work.”

The “It’s Your Times” drive allowsphilanthropic-minded readers to honor individual journalists with their donations. The campaign, which ends Friday, aims to raise $173,000, the equivalent of one week’s newsroom budget.

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