The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Pivotal, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Ford Foundation, the Schmidt Family Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have announced a $37 million commitment to support local public media amid federal funding repeals for PBS and NPR. The $36.5 million pledge includes $26.5 million in support for the Public Media Bridge Fund, a philanthropic effort managed by Public Media Company and developed with seed funding from the Schmidt Family Foundation. The MacArthur Foundation is also committing $10 million in direct support to public media stations, programs, and organizations.
More than 1,500 locally owned public radio and television stations are slated to feel the brunt of funding rescissions. The MacArthur Foundation’s president, John Palfrey, emphasized that millions of people rely on public media for trusted local news, educational programming, and stories that reflect their lives and experiences. The Public Media Bridge Fund expects to finalize its grant process in late September and will notify local leaders of funding opportunities. The Public Media Company emphasized the need to protect these important community institutions and reimagine public media for a stronger, more sustainable future.
