About WFYI’s Funding
WFYI Public Media is a nonprofit organization that is funded largely through the support of our generous donors, sponsors and grant funders. In 2025, WFYI lost both state and federal funding marking the end of decades long government support for public media. This caused an immediate $2.1 million annual shortfall in WFYI’s operating budget. See how the new 100% community funded operating budget for WFYI above.
A Timeline of WFYI’s Public Funding Changes
April 23, 2025
Indiana removes public broadcasting funding from state budget
April 28, 2025
President removes three CPB Board members
- Action aimed at halting CPB operations; CPB sues. A judge issues a restraining order until arguments are heard.
May 1, 2025
Executive Order to halt federal funding to NPR & PBS
- President orders CPB to cease direct and indirect federal funding.
- Broad consensus suggests the President lacks authority because CPB is not a federal agency.
May 2, 2025 (Event 1)
Department of Education terminates Ready To Learn grant
May 2, 2025 (Event 2)
President’s FY 2026 “Skinny Budget” released
- Omits funding for CPB (a recurring occurrence in previous budget cycles).
June 3, 2025
White House requests rescission of $1.1B in CPB funding
- Would eliminate previously appropriated federal public media funding.
- WFYI would lose $1.5M annually (11% of budget), plus recent state cuts.
June 12, 2025
U.S. House passes rescission bill
- Approves White House request to cut $1.1B in CPB funding.
- Bill moves to the Senate with a deadline of July 18 for passage.
July 18, 2025
Congress approves rescission; $1.1B in public media funding eliminated
- Funding ends Oct 1.
- WFYI faces $1.5M federal loss + recent state cuts = $2.1M total annual shortfall.
October 1, 2025
Federal funding public media ends
- WFYI enters 100% community-funded era with a budget shortfall of $2.1 million annually.