Minnesota Public Radio receives $56M gift for classical music

An anonymous donor has given a $56 million cash gift to Minnesota Public Radio to support its classical music service YourClassical. 

The donor directed the funds to be “used exclusively to serve YourClassical audiences and provide technological support for new media transmission,” according to a Wednesday press release from American Public Media Group, MPR’s parent organization. 

With the gift, MPR will establish a separate permanent endowment to ensure stewardship of the funds “to best serve the donor’s designated purpose,” according to the release. The donation is the largest in the organization’s 55-year history. 

YourClassical broadcasts on terrestrial radio and streams online. It also produces a portfolio of nationally-syndicated programs such as Performance Today and SymphonyCast.

The donated funds will help provide new programming and technology and “allow us to expand representation, grow YourClassical’s presence and accelerate digital innovation to broaden and better serve our classical music community,” said Duchesne Drew, APMG SVP & president of MPR, in the release. 

“This extraordinary gift will have a transformative impact on the future of Minnesota Public Radio and the communities we serve,” said APMG CEO Jean Taylor in the release. “It will enable us to deepen and broaden our relevance with a growing audience by delivering compelling content, creating meaningful listening experiences and advancing MPR’s digital capabilities and infrastructure. Through the generosity and support of this donor – and so many others – we will continue to fulfill our public service mission.”