GoFundMe Campaigns for Laid-Off Washington Post Employees Surpass $700,000

Hundreds of thousands raised to support workers affected by Post layoffs

Feb. 9, 2026 at 8:39am

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Two separate GoFundMe campaigns have raised over $700,000 to support Washington Post employees who were laid off last week. The fundraisers, organized by Post reporters and the newsroom's union, have received thousands of donations from current and former Post staffers as well as the general public.

Why it matters

The outpouring of support through these GoFundMe campaigns highlights the value the public places on quality journalism and the loyalty of the Post's readership, even as the company undergoes a significant restructuring. The funds will provide crucial financial assistance to laid-off employees during a difficult time.

The details

The first GoFundMe page, set up by Post reporter Rachel Siegel and other union members, has raised over $520,000 from around 4,700 donors. A separate campaign for the Post's international employees, organized by Tokyo bureau chief Michelle Lee, has raised close to $200,000 from about 2,100 donors. Top donors include former Post executive editor Martin Baron, tech journalist Kara Swisher, and longtime staffers Dan Balz, Eugene Robinson, and Lois Romano.

  • The layoffs at The Washington Post were announced last Wednesday, February 5, 2026.
  • The GoFundMe campaigns were launched just a few hours after the layoffs were announced.

The players

The Washington Post

A major American daily newspaper owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.

Rachel Siegel

A Washington Post reporter and member of the newsroom's union who organized one of the GoFundMe campaigns.

Michelle Lee

The Tokyo bureau chief for The Washington Post who organized a GoFundMe campaign for the paper's international employees.

Kara Swisher

A tech journalist and former Washington Post employee who donated $10,000 to the GoFundMe campaign for laid-off staff.

Martin Baron

The former executive editor of The Washington Post who donated a total of $9,000 to the two GoFundMe campaigns.

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What they’re saying

“The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity.”

— Jeff Bezos, Owner, The Washington Post (The Washington Post)

“Post Guild members have come together to support their colleagues with this GoFundMe.”

— Washington Baltimore News Guild spokesperson (The Washington Post)

What’s next

The GoFundMe campaigns will continue to accept donations to provide financial assistance to the laid-off Washington Post employees.

The takeaway

The overwhelming public response to these GoFundMe campaigns demonstrates the deep appreciation for the vital role The Washington Post plays in delivering quality journalism, even as the company undergoes restructuring. The funds raised will be a crucial lifeline for the affected employees during this difficult transition.