Waco’s KWBU faces budget shortfall after licensee announces end to financial support

KWBU in Waco, Texas, is attempting to close a budget shortfall after licensee Baylor University announced last week that it would end financial support of the station.

The decision will result in a $200,000 budget shortfall, or about 20% of the NPR station’s operating budget, according to a post on the station’s website. “Since the station’s origins, Baylor has been the largest individual cash donor,” the post said.  

The change will take effect June 1, according to a university spokesperson.

“Baylor has been affected by the uncertainty and many financial pressures that have impacted higher education nationwide,” the university said in a statement. “As Baylor aims to be good stewards of students’ tuition dollars, we are reducing the direct financial subsidy and underwriting the University provides to the station as part of a campuswide strategic budget reallocation process.” 

The university will continue to provide in-kind support to the station, such as office space and IT and accounting services. It has no plans to sell the station’s license, according to the spokesperson. 

“We are hopeful the community will step up and support KWBU at the level Baylor has for many years,” the statement said.

The station is looking to close the funding gap by bringing in 1,500 new members. The station said it currently has 700 contributing listeners. 

“Waco Public Radio remains committed to providing trusted news and cultural programming with NO paywall, ensuring broad access for all,” it said in its post.