MCF Member Briefing: Call to Action for Philanthropy to Protect Public Media

Public media empowers communities through serving as a trusted, accessible platform that informs, educates, connects. Despite overwhelming public opposition, Congress approved a rescissions package eliminating $1.1 billion in already-approved funding for public media. In Minnesota, that funding totals $17,228,752 across 16 organizations, from small stations slashing 30-50% of their budgets. Minnesota’s public media stations are at risk of closure and rural tribal, and low-wealth communities will be the most impacted by the loss of public broadcasting. We cannot let this happen. Now is the time to fund and protect public media to ensure all Minnesotans have access to reliable news and information. 

On August 11, 2025, the Minnesota Council on Foundations and Press Forward Minnesota hosted a briefing to hear directly from station leaders how the communities they serve will be devasted by these funding cuts and how they are managing the ever-changing landscape. We also heard from funders who are stepping up in this moment to protect public media and invited funders to join this cause through supporting Press Forward Minnesota. 

Speakers

• Jeff Hanks, President & CEO, Lakeland PBS 
• Sarah Bignall, CEO/General Manager, KAXE 
• Margaret Rousu, General Manager, KKWE Niijii Radio
• Patrice Relerford, Vice President of Collective Impact and Giving, The Minneapolis Foundation

Session Materials

• View the 60-minute recording
• View presentation slides from Press Forward MN
• View presentation slides from KAXE