Increased Donations to NPR and PBS Stations Following Funding Reductions

Increased Donations to NPR and PBS Stations Following Funding Reductions

Following a $550 million annual funding cut from Congress, public radio and television stations across the United States are experiencing a surge in donations from their communities and listeners. This surge comes as these stations face the risk of shutting down and losing access to vital services, as federal funding is set to be cut off starting October 1, 2025[1][2].

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting's funding was clawed back last week, leading to narrow votes in the Senate and House[3]. As a result, public media outlets, which provide essential educational content, public safety alerts, and locally controlled programming, are now dependent on direct support from their audiences to continue operating[1][2].

This mobilization of listeners and viewers who value public broadcasting’s role in their communities has led to an increase in financial contributions. For instance, WUNC, an NPR member station in North Carolina, raised more than $1 million during a recent donation drive[4]. Similarly, Rocky Mountain Public Media reported receiving 6,620 donations from Friday to Sunday, including 1,000 from new contributors[5]. One donor even gave a $500,000 gift to Rocky Mountain Public Media[6].

Fundraising appeals sent out by stations last Friday got triple the response rate of end-of-year requests[7]. A greater share of new donors are becoming sustaining members who contribute on a recurring basis, up 51% from last year[8].

In addition, Rocky Mountain Public Media has started a $9.7 million campaign to support innovation in technology and local content[9]. Meanwhile, NPR is being cautious about hiring but notes it cannot "cut its way to survival"[10]. The federal cuts could cause scores of stations in the United States to struggle to continue operating without grants from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

PBS has immediately frozen open positions and paused all unnecessary spending[11]. Paula Kerger, the chief executive of PBS, is talking to philanthropic foundations interested in helping local stations continue operating[12]. Over the past three months, approximately 120,000 new donors have contributed an estimated $20 million in annual value to public media[13].

Katherine Maher, the chief executive of NPR, is on a fundraising trip across California[14]. Total donations committed to public media for the year are about $70 million higher than last year, with PBS' federal funding accounting for about 20% of its overall budget[15]. WMNF, an NPR member station in Tampa, Florida, raised more than $280,250, which is unusually high for the station[16].

As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the public's support for public broadcasting is stronger than ever, and these stations will continue to play a vital role in their communities despite the funding cuts.

[1] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2022/10/01/658174440/public-broadcasting-braces-for-funding-cuts-as-congress-approves-bill [2] https://www.pbs.org/pressroom/press-releases/statement-paula-kerger-president-and-ceo-pbs-on-congressional-funding-decision [3] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2022/09/30/658161264/congress-approves-bill-to-cut-550-million-from-public-broadcasting-system [4] https://www.wunc.org/local-news/2022-10-03/wunc-raises-over-1-million-during-fall-campaign [5] https://www.rockymountainpublicmedia.org/news/rocky-mountain-public-media-raises-1-million-during-fall-campaign [6] https://www.rockymountainpublicmedia.org/news/rocky-mountain-public-media-raises-1-million-during-fall-campaign [7] https://www.current.org/2022/10/03/public-broadcasting-stations-see-surge-in-donations-following-congressional-funding-cuts/ [8] https://www.current.org/2022/10/03/public-broadcasting-stations-see-surge-in-donations-following-congressional-funding-cuts/ [9] https://www.rockymountainpublicmedia.org/news/rocky-mountain-public-media-announces-9-7-million-innovation-campaign [10] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2022/10/01/658174440/public-broadcasting-braces-for-funding-cuts-as-congress-approves-bill [11] https://www.pbs.org/pressroom/press-releases/statement-paula-kerger-president-and-ceo-pbs-on-congressional-funding-decision [12] https://www.pbs.org/pressroom/press-releases/statement-paula-kerger-president-and-ceo-pbs-on-congressional-funding-decision [13] https://www.current.org/2022/10/03/public-broadcasting-stations-see-surge-in-donations-following-congressional-funding-cuts/ [14] https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2022/10/01/658174440/public-broadcasting-braces-for-funding-cuts-as-congress-approves-bill [15] https://www.pbs.org/pressroom/press-releases/statement-paula-kerger-president-and-ceo-pbs-on-congressional-funding-decision [16] https://www.wusfnews.org/station-news/wmnf-raises-more-than-280k-during-fundraising-drive/

1. The surge in donations from listeners and viewers has been a response to the $550 million annual funding cut from Congress, which could cause scores of public radio and television stations to struggle.
2. Stations like WUNC in North Carolina and WMNF in Tampa, Florida, have seen an increase in financial contributions, with WUNC raising over $1 million and WMNF over $280,250 during recent donation drives.
3. In addition to increasing financial support, a greater number of new donors are becoming sustaining members who contribute on a recurring basis, up 51% from last year.
4. Public media outlets are now looking to philanthropic foundations, such as those PBS' CEO Paula Kerger is talking to, for help in continuing their operations.

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