WFYI - How federal funding for public media works - and why its essential

WFYI Public Media is a nonprofit organization that is funded largely through the support of our generous donors, sponsors and grant funders. We receive 11% of our annual budget from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), an independent nonprofit that distributes federal dollars (an average of $1.60 per American) to local TV and radio stations across the country. The majority of our funding comes from our local community, but funding from CPB plays an essential role in sustainability. Growing threats to funding put access to local services at risk.

We are going to break down a few things here to keep you informed:

More about Federal Funding

Federal funding is foundational for public media, representing an essential portion of station budgets. It enables stations to provide free educational content, local programming and critical emergency alerts. Without it, many stations, especially in rural areas, would struggle to operate.
Source: CPB Appropriation Overview 

What is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting’s role in public media?

The CPB is the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and is distinct from NPR and PBS. CPB is not a broadcast organization, but an independent, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967 with two primary functions: to serve as a firewall between partisan politics and public broadcasting, and to help fund programming, stations and technology. Funding for CPB is established through the federal budget annual appropriations process. Traditionally, Congress provides an advance appropriation to CPB so stations can plan and purchase programs knowing that CPB funding will be available for at least two years and will be insulated from political pressures. 

CPB is responsible for allocating its funds from the federal budget in any way that fulfills their mission: to ensure universal access, over-the-air and online, to high-quality content and telecommunications services that are commercial free and free of charge.  

How much does the federal government invest in public media?

Public media provides incredible value for such a small investment. The $545 million currently appropriated by Congress amounts to about one one-hundredth of one percent (0.0073%) of the federal budget. That works out to be about $1.60 per person per year. That minimal investment ensures access to trustworthy news, educational resources and cultural programming for ALL Americans — regardless of income or geography.

What would the federal defunding of public media mean for local communities?

The loss of CPB funding could disproportionately harm rural and underserved communities, reducing access to trusted news, educational resources and emergency alerts. Millions of Americans rely on these services as their primary or only source of information.

According to recent station financial reports to CPB, rural stations depend more on CPB funding than urban stations. CPB grants -- represented 17 percent of an average rural station’s revenue, versus 9 percent for non-rural stations. Almost half of all rural grantees – 120 stations – relied on CPB for at least 25 percent of their revenue while 33 rural stations – many on Native American reservations – relied on CPB funding for at least 50 percent of their revenue.
Source: CPB Support for Rural Stations

Update on State Funding

Funding for Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations was cut from the Indiana 2-year budget resulting in a loss of $3.675 million per year. For WFYI, this budget cut results in a loss of $590,000 in annual funding and will affect our revenue beginning in July.

Additionally, the impact of this budget cut will be felt in towns and cities across the entire state where public media stations reach 95% of Hoosiers of all ages and backgrounds with programming that informs, educates, and inspires. Without state support, the impact will be profound:

  • Young children and families will lose access to trusted educational programming that prepares children for school and lifelong success.
  • Seniors will lose resources designed to support healthy, independent living—from financial literacy to wellness and digital safety.
  • Local artists and historians will lose an essential platform for preserving and sharing Indiana’s rich cultural heritage.
  • Public safety infrastructure will be compromised, as we play a vital role in distributing emergency alerts and information statewide.
  • All Hoosiers risk losing access to fact-based, community-centered news and information that strengthens civic life and fosters informed decision-making.

You can read more about the impact of the loss of state and potential impacts of federal funding cuts here.

Federal Funding Updates

U.S. Department of Education Terminates Funding for Ready To Learn

On Friday, May 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education notified the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that its 2020-2025 Ready To Learn grant has been terminated, halting the development of early educational content and community outreach. 

WFYI has participated in the Ready To Learn initiative for over 20 years. Partnering with early education agencies, community centers, youth development programs, school districts and state organizations. The Indianapolis Public Library has been an ongoing collaborator, in the 2020-2025 cycle the Fay Biccard Glick Neighborhood Center and Parents as Teachers were added as Learning Neighborhood partners. Over the years, WFYI has trained teachers, librarians and early educators while providing family engagement and learning opportunities to thousands of Hoosiers. You can read the whole statement regarding WFYI’s Ready To Learn Initiative here.

More about Ready To Learn:

  • Ready To Learn is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
  • The U.S. Department of Education has held the Ready To Learn Programming grant competition every five years since 1995, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS have won grants in every cycle.
  • The 2020-2025 cycle, which expires on September 30, was approved by the first Trump Administration.
  • Historically, grants from Ready To Learn have helped fund such well-known shows as Sesame Street, Reading Rainbow and Clifford the Big Red Dog. Shows funded by the current grant include the award-winning Molly of Denali, Work It Out Wombats! and Lyla in the Loop.
  • In the most recent fiscal year, Ready To Learn content reached more than 1.8 billion video streams, 27.6 million digital game plays, 10.2 million television viewers, and 2 million mobile app downloads.

Notice of Removal of CPB Board of Directors

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is managed by a five-member Board of Directors. The U.S. President notified three members that he was removing them effective immediately. This action was intended to block the actions of the CPB board because a minimum of three board members is required to conduct business. The CPB has sued in federal court to block the removal, and a judge has ruled for a restraining order until both sides can file arguments.

Executive Order from US President

The White House issued an Executive Order instructing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) Board of Directors to cease direct federal funding for NPR and PBS and decline to provide future funding. It also halts indirect funding to NPR and PBS, ensuring that licensees of public radio and television stations do not use federal funds for NPR and PBS. The prevailing view at this point is that the President does not have this authority as the CPB is not a federal agency.

President’s FY 2026 “Skinny Budget” Released

The budget does not include funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This is not unusual and has happened many times in history. The House & Senate budgets will be released later.

Rescission is Still a Threat

A rescission is a request to rescind funds that were previously appropriated by Congress. We’re currently anticipating a rescissions proposal from the White House that could claw back $1.1 billion in previously approved public media funding.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is forward funded by two years to insulate the organization from political interference.  $535 million was approved by Congress for CPB in FY2024 for fiscal years 2026 & 2027. We are still waiting for the rescissions proposal that would rescind these previously appropriated federal funds to be delivered to Congress.

A White House plan to claw back previously approved public media funding could be sent to Congress in the coming days. If approved, this plan — combined with the loss of state funding — could have catastrophic consequences for public media stations in Indiana, potentially leading to station closures and limiting access to the vital, free services we provide to all Hoosiers. For WFYI, federal funding totals $1.5 million and makes up 11% of our overall budget.

More about WFYI and public media

WFYI Public Media Funding

Corporation for Public Broadcasting Grants: Includes funding from the CPB; a private, nonprofit corporation authorized by Congress in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967, that supports our core programming and outreach initiatives.
State Grants: Includes funding received from the State of Indiana that helps support our core programming and outreach initiatives.
Individual Donations: Contributions from generous individuals who believe in our mission and provide essential support for our day-to-day activities and special projects.
Underwriting: Funding from businesses and corporations that align with our values and support our programming through sponsorships and partnerships.
Restricted Grants: Grants from various foundations dedicated to supporting public media and community-focused projects.
Rent Revenue: Revenue from building tenants.
Other Revenue: Miscellaneous sources of funding such as event revenues, merchandising, and other contributions not categorized elsewhere.


What makes public media unique and why should taxpayers continue funding it when commercial media exists?

Public media stations prioritize educational, unbiased and community-focused programming, free from the influence of advertisers, ensuring a focus on public service rather than profit. Unlike private outlets, which are often driven by commercial interests, public media is committed to providing trustworthy news, educational resources and cultural programming to all Americans — regardless of income, geography or advertiser return on investment. As a no-cost, commercial-free, local, nonprofit service, public media serves every community — rural and urban, wealthy and underserved. This mission is especially vital in economically disadvantaged, rural and bandwidth-limited areas where commercial media often does not reach.

Is public media biased?  

Public media seeks to present diverse perspectives and context beyond the headlines. At WFYI, we occasionally hear from listeners who think we are either too liberal or too conservative. We intend to be neither. Our journalists take responsibility of reporting the facts as their number one mission. Public media adheres to strict editorial standards that emphasize accuracy, transparency and fairness, helping it maintain trust across the political spectrum. Surveys show Americans regard PBS as one of the most trusted news sources.  
Sources: PBS Trust Survey Flyer, 2024; PBS Standards

What does the FCC have to do with public media?  

WFYI accepts underwriting support to help offset acquisition, production and maintenance costs associated with broadcasting a variety of programs.  In exchange for this support, WFYI broadcasts on-air announcements of all underwriters in compliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules and regulations. 

As a public, not-for-profit radio station, WFYI is bound by FCC guidelines for underwriting announcements, intended to preserve the non-commercial nature of public broadcasting. Underwriting announcements are permitted to identify who the sponsor is, what they do and how they can be reached. 

Links to learn more about WFYI

What impact does public media have in the community?

Collage of photos taken at WFYI community events, PBS KIDS Ready To Learn workshops and partner events.

For WFYI Public Media and other public media organizations, federal funding is critical for several key reasons:

Ensuring Universal Access

Not everyone has access to high-speed internet or paid streaming services, particularly in low-income and rural communities. WFYI provides free, over-the-air broadcasting, ensuring that news and information, high-quality educational and cultural programs remain accessible to all. In addition, WFYI is part of the Indiana Public Broadcasting collaboration which reaches 95% of Hoosiers. 

Trusted, Local Non-Commercial Content 

Unlike many commercial outlets driven by advertising revenue, public media stations prioritize educational, informative and community-focused content that may not be commercially viable but is valuable to the community. WFYI offers fact-based journalism, in-depth documentaries, arts and culture programming and educational resources that parents, educators, and viewers trust. 

PBS KIDS helps children, especially those in underserved communities

Because every child deserves access to high-quality educational opportunities, PBS KIDS is available for free on TV, across digital platforms and in communities across America. PBS Kids is trusted by parents and educators alike and its educational content helps bridge the digital divide and improve early learning outcomes.  Additionally, PBS LearningMedia offers thousands of lesson plans and resources to educators free of charge.

Emergency and Public Safety Communications 

Many public media stations provide emergency alerts and public safety messaging, serving as a critical resource during natural disasters or other emergencies. From severe weather warnings and AMBER alerts to large-scale event monitoring and school security, public media member stations keep Indiana communities informed and prepared. When a natural disaster strikes, in many communities across the country, it’s the public broadcasting station that people turn to for critical information in real time.

How to support

You may wonder what you can do NOW to keep WFYI operational and strong in the community. Whether you’re new to WFYI content or have been giving since 1970, we have some ideas for another step you can take to support WFYI and inspire action in others.

Ways to Connect 

Ways to Engage with WFYI

  • Attend a WFYI Live event, including conversations, performances, screenings, trivia and character meet & greets. 
  • Join a WFYI Membership Group (with screenings and events for British Telly Club and WFYI Family Members).
  • Get involved in WFYI’s volunteer program and help us at events, or in the office.
  • Engage with WFYI content on all platforms – you can like and share our posts with your friends and followers.  

Ways to Support WFYI 

Ways to Advocate for WFYI 

  • Record a WFYI testimonial and share why you support public media.
  • Sign up for Protect My Public Media email updates at protectmypublicmedia.org. 
  • Proudly wear your WFYI swag and share with friends and neighbors

Additional Resources & Links