Round Up: “KWMR Status Update”

You will remember the lead up to the Rescission Act of 2025, the concern we all had for the funding for public media being clawed back by Congress. Well that happened in the latter part of July. Lots of folks are asking how we are doing. Here is an update from KWMR.

At the end of September, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting(CPB) is shutting down. This is heartbreaking. Sixty years of excellent work supporting radio and television, funding documentaries, Sesame Street, and Frontline, and co-founding PBS and NPR.

KWMR has been funded by CPB since 2007. And now it is over. Done. 

During the past few months KWMR has received some great press coverage, which helped raise awareness about what we do and helped us raise funding that will carry us over into our next fiscal year which starts on October 1, 2025. 

However, my concern is keeping up this momentum. We cannot afford to not make our other fundraising goals (End of Year Appeal and Spring Pledge Drive). I feel like this will be a two to three year stabilization period. 

If we don’t make our goals and get innovative about our fundraising, we will have to make difficult decisions. KWMR staff work really hard to support our over 100 volunteer programmers and bring you the programming that you enjoy on the station. We have already made initial cuts where possible, effective immediately. 

I am grateful for everyone stepping up their giving and making additional contributions during this time. I have had many great conversations with those of you who were concerned and had ideas for KWMR. Thank you all! (If you want to adjust your monthly giving, talk to me 415-663-8068, x104).

So the bottom line is we are going to look for ways to innovate and partner. We are going to continue fundraising. You can help by talking to your friends, colleagues, and neighbors about what you value about KWMR. How lucky we are to have a locally run radio station for emergency information and generally awesome locally produced content. 

The broader the base of our contributors, even small annual amounts, the better off and financially independent we will be. 

The “25 to Stay Alive” campaign has been a great success, and you can still step up your Calendar Club donations, or join as a monthly contributor. 

Onward!

Thank you for your support!

Amanda Eichstaedt
Station Manager and Executive Director + Development

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