Historic $113M investment catalyzes NPR’s strategic push for digital growth and network sustainability
NPR today announced it has received philanthropic gifts totaling more than $110 million — including the largest by a living donor in NPR’s history — as a strategic investment in its future. These gifts will be used to expand audience connection, accelerate digital transformation and increase the sustainability of the national NPR Network. These gifts are extraordinary and unprecedented commitments that will help secure NPR’s future as America’s premier public service journalism network.
Philanthropist Connie Ballmer has given $80 million to support the digital innovation that is essential to meeting the needs and serving the interests of public media audiences wherever they are and whenever they seek information. Further gifts from an anonymous donor totaling $33 million will go towards strengthening and increasing the sustainability of the NPR Network, enabling NPR to build and acquire tools and services that will be shared with public media organizations serving communities across the nation.
“I support NPR because an informed public is the bedrock of our society, and democracy requires strong, independent journalism,” said Ballmer. “My hope is that this commitment provides the stability and the spark NPR needs to innovate boldly and strengthen its national network.”
Together, these generous gifts provide catalytic support to strengthen the role of public media in American civic life. They are the beginning of a sustained effort by NPR and its supporters to invest in the critical future of bold and independent journalism, deep community reporting and broad national presence, and robust culture and civic connection in service of our American democracy.
“NPR’s mission is unwavering, but our means must evolve. This remarkable investment will enable NPR to continue to deliver the nation’s finest public service journalism, meeting audiences where they are today and will be in the years to come,” said Katherine Maher, president and CEO of NPR. “We are deeply grateful to Connie Ballmer and our anonymous donor for their extraordinary philanthropic leadership and belief in our work. We hope their leadership inspires others to give and ensure public media remains strong for generations to come.”
Read more about this news in an NPR Extra blog post from NPR President & CEO Katherine Maher.
