Minnesota Public Radio Pushing $1M Fund Raising Campaign

Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) has intensified its fundraising efforts in 2025, driven by challenges such as proposed federal funding cuts and the need to sustain its programming. 

A key example is a current campaign where MPR aimed to raise $1 million in just five days to counter potential reductions in federal support through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). These cuts, tied to executive actions and policy shifts, threaten the financial stability of public media, prompting MPR to lean heavily on individual donors.

MPR’s strategy emphasizes its reliance on community support, with individual donations being its largest funding source. Campaigns like “Give to the Max” encourage direct contributions through MPR’s website, offering incentives such as exclusive, Minnesota-designed thank-you gifts to attract new and sustaining members. The organization also promotes various giving methods, including vehicle donations, stock gifts, and employer matching programs to maximize impact. Sustaining Memberships, where donors commit to ongoing monthly contributions, are a cornerstone, providing a reliable funding base while reducing administrative costs.

MPR’s messaging underscores the urgency of maintaining trusted journalism, music discovery, and community engagement, especially as public media faces both state and federal funding pressures. The #ProtectMyPublicMedia initiative encourages supporters to donate, share stories, and advocate for MPR’s role in connecting communities. Despite a significant $56 million anonymous gift in 2022, which bolstered its digital and classical music services, MPR continues to stress that ongoing member support is critical for day-to-day operations across its news, classical, and The Current stations.