On Tuesday, seven charitable organizations announced a substantial commitment of $37 million aimed at bolstering local public media, particularly in light of the recent elimination of federal funding for PBS and NPR.
The involved foundations—including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Pivotal, John D. and Katherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, Schmidt Family Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation—have lost financial resources following changes at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Together, they’ve stepped in to offer grants and support specifically to local media outlets.
This $36.5 million pledge will back local media initiatives, with $26.5 million sourced from the Public Media Bridge Fund, an initiative developed with initial funding from the Schmidt Family Foundation. A release on Tuesday from the Knight Foundation outlined these developments.
Alongside group funding endeavors, the MacArthur Foundation is providing an additional $10 million in direct support for public media stations, programs, and organizations as part of this initiative.
Maribel Pérez Wadsworth, president and CEO of the Knight Foundation, commented on the campaign’s significance, stating, “Local public media stations are trusted community anchors that connect people to important news, culture, and civic life.” She emphasized the urgency of this moment, urging collaboration among foundations to secure the future of public media.
More than 1,500 local public radio and television stations are expected to benefit from these fundraising efforts.
John Palfrey, chairman of the MacArthur Foundation, noted, “Millions of people rely on public media for reliable local news, educational programming, and stories that reflect their lives and experiences.” He further mentioned that stations serving rural populations, small businesses, and indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable to funding reductions and require targeted support. These stations play a crucial role as sources of information and connection.
The Public Media Bridge Fund announced that it will finalize the grant process, including eligibility details, by late September, after which local leaders will be informed about funding opportunities.
A statement from the public media company highlighted the limited but crucial opportunities to safeguard these vital community institutions and to rethink public media for a more robust and sustainable future.
