I wanted to send my thoughts on my boss Katherine’s note below.
One year ago, we embarked on our first day without federal funding. As Chief Financial Officer, it was a very uncertain time for me, but the public response was immediate and overwhelming: hundreds of thousands of you stepped up to donate. In fact, October 1 was a record-setting day for donations.
When I took this job, I thought I understood what the “public” in public media meant. But the meaning is so much deeper and more powerful than I realized. You've shown me that we own this mission together. This essential service continues because you, the public, decided it will. Together, we ensure that free, independent news remains available for all.
Please continue supporting our shared mission to create a more informed American public by donating today.
We remain in an especially precarious time for independent journalism. In the absence of federal funding, I know many of my fellow CFOs across the NPR Network continue to lose sleep about the future.
But we cannot — and will not — slow down. Millions of people rely on NPR’s reporting, 24/7, 365. In public media, our mission doesn’t rest.
Thanks for taking action with your gift of any amount. It’s important and appreciated. And thanks for being in this together with us.
Daphne Kwon
From: Katherine Maher Subject Line: With you, we will not go silent.
Katherine Maher
President and CEO, NPR
Today marks one year for public media without public funding. For more than 50 years, federal funding ensured we were able to keep our promise to serve every American.
Today, we’re still serving the public, thanks to your support. You stepped forward, donating to protect the public media stations in your communities, the programs that keep news and culture alive, and the journalists who spend every day searching for the truth.
Thank you. Thank you for believing in our mission, our purpose, and our value to you and to American civic life.
We will continue reporting on the public interest, continue elevating music, culture, and the arts, continue finding the joy and humor in the day to day. We will continue serving communities across the nation. But without federal funding, we need your support more than ever.
Your continued support makes it possible for us to stand firm in the face of political pressure, to defend the First Amendment, to shine a light in the dark. Your support keeps us strong and independent, in service only to the public interest and the American people.
Together, we will:
Keep journalists on the ground, holding power to account
Deliver accurate, trustworthy news, cutting through spin and misinformation
Celebrate music and storytelling, connecting and enriching our lives
Keep up with changing technology, serving you wherever you are
Thank you for standing alongside us. Thank you for giving us the confidence to stand tall, report boldly, and invest in the future, knowing we have your support. Together, we’ll make sure that public media serves the American people for decades to come.
