Public Media Bridge Fund announces initial round of grants
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The Public Media Bridge Fund is awarding $26 million in its first round of grants to public media organizations that are most in need following the loss of federal funding earlier this year.
The funds will be spread out among 74 organizations that operate more than 180 public radio and television stations, Public Media Co., which is overseeing the initiative, announced Tuesday in a press release.
The Bridge Fund determined recipients through an application process with criteria that the services provided by organizations are “unique, non-duplicative, and essential to local civic information,” according to the release. (See the full list of grantees.)
Organizations in 25 states and territories received funding. Twelve of the licensees receiving grants are in Alaska, one of the states where public media organizations depend the most on federal funding.
PMC says that due to the rescission of CPB funding earlier this year, 115 stations, mainly in rural and underserved communities, would be likely to close by mid-2026 without additional aid.
“With this initial round of funding, our goal was to present each grantee with a foothold to stabilize their infrastructure and continue their vital services,” said PMC CEO Tim Isgitt in the release. “… These grants not only take another step forward in the collaborative effort to respond to a crisis but also create an opportunity to develop a sustainable future for public media that builds stronger, more engaged, and more connected communities.”
In addition to the funding, the grant recipients will receive guidance “in developing and adapting to new operating models,” the release said.
The Public Media Bridge Fund launched in August with a goal of raising $100 million. It has raised more than $60 million to date. The funding has come from a mix of individuals and foundations, including the Knight Foundation, Pivotal Ventures, the MacArthur Foundation, the Schmidt Family Foundation, the Mellon Foundation and The Dolby Family, according to the release.
Public media organizations will be able to apply for future grants that will “prioritize projects that advance sustainable business models and broaden service to communities,” the release said.
