
Stand for independent news. Protect public voices. Save My WBOI.
Why WBOI Matters
Public radio delivers vital news, cultural programming, and life-saving emergency alerts — free to all.
But now, this essential service is under threat, at both the state and federal level — with budget cuts totaling $200,000 (the equivalent of an entire membership drive).
How You Can Help
Urge them to protect federal funding, which only costs $1.60 per American per year.
WBOI is facing a loss of $200,000.
Support nonprofit journalism that serves everyone -not just those who can afford it with a monthly donation.
Support nonprofit journalism that serves everyone -not just those who can afford it with a monthly donation.
Tell us why independent, local news matters to you. Send us a voicemail in the WBOI App.
What's at stake?
WBOI is facing a loss of $200,000. Our future depends on continued federal and state funding + community support. Recent budget cuts could:
- Eliminate original, local programming
Reduce access to trusted national programs from NPR
- Diminish capacity to serve rural listeners or provide emergency alerts
- Prevent adoption of new formats that keep WBOI technologically relevant and help us reach more people
News About Public Media Funding
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The Trump administration has asked Congress to rescind funds for NPR/PBS and foreign aid. Congress has until the end of the week to approve the cuts.
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From the Indiana Capital Chronicle: Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations will be eliminating its entire statewide team of reporters and editors at the end of the year after the Indiana General Assembly defunded the organization.
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NPR and three Colorado public radio stations are suing the Trump administration over the president's executive order seeking to ban the use of federal money for NPR and PBS.
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Nearly $13 million in total state and federal public funding accounts for about 30% of the combined budgets of Indiana’s public media stations, according to a WFYI analysis of budget and funding data.
When you support WBOI, you're protecting:
- Community voices from all walks of life — often those not heard anywhere else
- A pipeline to local government, education, and other civic matters
- Connection to the arts, music, and local culture that brings us together
- Watchdog journalism that holds power accountable and safeguards democracy
- Rural communities that risk becoming news deserts
Sustaining members allow WBOI to plan for uncertain situations like this one.
Additional Resources
- Protect My Public Media: Nation-wide campaign dedicated to protecting federal public media funding
- American Journalism Project: Learn how nonprofit news is solving the local news crisis
- Learn more about the NPR network and why member stations, like WBOI, are so important
- Subscribe to our newsletter to hear updates from President & General Manager Travis Pope
- Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. Share this cause with your friends and followers!