KPR seeks additional listener support at end of fiscal year

LAWRENCE — Kansas Public Radio will be on the air Friday, June 26, asking listeners to support the station to help make up for funding lost due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This spring, the public radio station modified its membership drive, choosing to focus 100% of efforts on providing noncommercial news, information and entertainment to listeners. The traditional drive was modified and did not cut into programming for fund requests. The drive fell $55,000 short of a typical spring campaign.

The public radio station has also lost a significant portion of its underwriting income – sponsorships from businesses and local organizations that are recognized on the air. As a result of this shortfall, KPR will need to come back on the air this month to ask for support from its listening audience to help end this fiscal year in a strong position. KPR understands that making a financial contribution can be difficult during this time but encourages those who are able to support to please do so.

Contributing to KPR this year could result in tax benefits. The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act implemented a change for 2020 taxpayers who do not itemize. They can take a one-time deduction of up to $300 for gifts made to charitable organizations like Kansas Public Radio.

More than 100,000 weekly listeners rely on Kansas Public Radio to stay informed about the latest public health developments. This nonprofit news source relies on contributions from listeners to make its reporting possible. If you are able, become a member today at kansaspublicradio.org/support. Listener support is what makes this service possible, and KPR is truly grateful for every gift.

KPR, an 18-time Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on 91.5 FM and 96.1 FM in Lawrence, 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, 89.9 FM in Atchison, 90.3 FM in Chanute, and 99.5 FM and 97.9 FM in Manhattan. KPR can be heard online at kansaspublicradio.org. KPR also operates KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s website, or at 96.1 in Lawrence and 97.9 in Manhattan.