Federal Funding for KUAF at Risk – What You Need To Know
Dear KUAF Supporter,
We're reaching out with important news about a development that could significantly impact KUAF and public media across the country. Several sources, including reporting from NPR, indicate that the White House plans to ask Congress to rescind $1.1 billion in funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which provides essential support to public radio and TV stations nationwide, including KUAF.
What's happening: Public broadcasting faces an imminent threat as the administration prepares to send a rescission proposal to Congress within days. House leadership could vote as early as May 5. Though Congress has 45 days to decide, action may come sooner. If approved, this would eliminate CPB funding already appropriated through 2027, impacting public media stations nationwide.
What this means for KUAF: KUAF receives $192,701 in annual federal support—approximately 17% of our operating budget. The true cost to replace these resources would be around $264,000 due to the collective purchasing power of the CPB.
This potential loss comes at a time when operational and programming costs are rising, while membership and underwriting revenue haven't kept pace. A loss in federal funding could impact:
- Local programs like "Ozarks at Large" and our Community Spotlight segments
- Our ability to bring you national programs like Morning Edition and All Things Considered
- Music shows like Generic Blues, Shades of Jazz, and Pickin' Post
- Essential technical infrastructure for broadcasting
Why this matters: KUAF serves 750,000 people across Northwest Arkansas, the River Valley, and neighboring counties in Oklahoma and Missouri with:
- Life-saving emergency alerts during tornadoes, floods, and severe storms
- Local journalism covering community issues and government
- Cultural programming that recognizes our regional heritage
- Educational opportunities for University of Arkansas students
- Community-focused initiatives that highlight local resources and connect people with each other
A recent Pew survey shows Americans are twice as likely to support as oppose continued funding for public media—and it costs just $1.60 per American per year.
What you can do: While as a university licensee KUAF cannot engage in lobbying activities, you as a citizen can:
- Learn more with the KUAF Public Media Funding FAQ
- Visit ProtectMyPublicMedia.org for resources and updates
- Make a donation or become a monthly sustaining member at SupportKUAF.com
- Share with friends and family why KUAF and public media matter to you
For every federal dollar invested through the CPB, public radio stations raise $7 locally. Your support will help ensure KUAF remains a vital resource for our community.
Visit our website for a detailed FAQ that explains more about our connection to the University of Arkansas, how we serve during emergencies, the role of national programming, and other important aspects of our service that could be affected.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get updates as they unfold, and encourage others to sign up too.
If you have any questions about this situation or how you can help, please contact me directly at schaff@uark.edu.
