In July we learned that Cincinnati Public Radio lost $485,000 in federal funding. Since then the public support we’ve received has been encouraging and we are cautiously hopeful. So far, we’ve raised about half of the amount lost thanks to new gifts, grants from local foundations and some accelerated gifts from listeners. We’re only 3 months into this new budget year, but we believe we can raise the full amount needed. We’re actively cutting expenses, finding efficiencies and learning from other stations and local non-profits. These funding cuts are not the end of Public Radio; they are the catalyst for growth.
In the past 8 weeks more than 315 sustaining members called to increase their monthly gift of support for Cincinnati Public Radio. To increase your monthly sustaining gift, please email membership@cinradio.org and be sure to include your name, address, phone number and what amount you’d like to give every month moving forward. (Please do not send credit card information. To update the card number, call Aron at 513-419-7115 or Milan at 513-419-7118.)
All fund drives are important but this time the stakes feel higher. WVXU’s Maryanne Zeleznik had the opportunity to talk with NPR’s Steve Inskeep recently about the future of public radio.