In July, following the US government’s decision to cut funding for over 1,500 public media outlets, Luke Dennis, the general manager of WYSO, a public radio station in Yellow Springs, Ohio, initiated an emergency fundraising campaign. Dennis was not only concerned about the loss of federal support under the current administration but also about the lack of warning that left staff with little time to prepare for the financial hit.
With the cuts leaving WYSO facing a $600,000 deficit for this fiscal year and the next, Dennis feared the potential layoffs of recently hired employees who had trusted the stability of their work environment. At that time, the station was already undergoing significant infrastructural transformations, including a new studio in Dayton aimed at better serving minority communities, and a planned move to a new facility in Yellow Springs that would feature classrooms, conference areas, and a performance space.
In the aftermath of the cuts, the community rallied in support of WYSO. The station experienced its largest single-day donation total ever in late July, and Dennis reported an increase in new members, emphasizing that many donors were motivated by a desire to make their contributions count. Across the country, this response has resonated, resulting in a remarkable $20 million raised by around 120,000 new donors for public radio and television stations—a phenomenon now referred to as “rage-giving.” Donations for the sector have surged, totaling $70 million more than the previous year.
This trend in increased donations is not a solitary occurrence; a study conducted by industry publication Current reported a 61% growth in donor numbers for 50 public media organizations between August 2024 and August 2025. Notably, the number of younger donors, specifically those aged 45 or younger, nearly doubled during this period.
The significant rise in donations has been particularly beneficial for stations like KSUT, which serves Native American communities across Colorado and New Mexico, and has reported its highest donation amounts to date. Other regions such as Kentucky, Vermont, and Alaska have experienced similar positive responses from their communities.
In addition to grassroots support, philanthropic organizations have contributed to public media stations. In August, several foundations announced a $36.5 million relief package for at-risk stations, with a substantial portion allocated to the Public Media Bridge Fund, which aims to raise $100 million over two years to support vulnerable broadcasters.
Despite this surge in community support, the financial gap remains significant, as the cuts from last July amounted to over $535 million, with public broadcasters expected to require hundreds of millions more to sustain operations in the future. Scott Finn, an instructor at the Center for Community News, underscored the historical trend of donor support for public radio during crises, although he cautioned that this initial wave of generosity often diminishes over time.
Certain low-population regions have been severely affected by the funding cuts. For instance, Prairie Public in Fargo, North Dakota, announced job losses equating to nearly one-fifth of its workforce, while KYUK in Alaska, which relied on federal funding for 70% of its costs, was compelled to make staffing reductions.
NPR’s leadership has provided some assistance with an $8 million funding offer to local stations to offset costs associated with licensing content, though this is only a small fraction of the overall financial shortfall.
While challenges remain, including hard choices about service continuity in vulnerable areas, the support from the community and donors has fostered a sense of resilience within public broadcasting. Even some Republican lawmakers have recognized the value of public radio, evidenced by Congressman Mike Turner, who opposed the cuts in funding, reflecting an acknowledgment of public media’s significance to their constituents.
As WYSO continues its operations in a small town of just 3,600 residents, Dennis remains cautiously optimistic, albeit concerned about the long-term implications of fading donor interest. Yet, he assures that preparations are in place to navigate the future challenges as they arise.