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 after federal and state budget cuts totaling $200,000 (the equivalent of an entire membership drive).
How You Can Help
What's at stake?
WBOI lost over $200,000 in federal and state funding. Our future depends on 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 could help WBOI reach more people.
News About Public Media Funding
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A federal judge has ruled that a Trump administration executive order involving NPR and PBS violates the broadcasters' First Amendment rights.
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The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has voted to formally end operations. NPR's mission will continue, unchanged.
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Zach Gibson/Getty Images/Getty Images North AmericaThe Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funnels federal money to public media stations, says it's winding down operations after President Trump signed a law rescinding all funding. -
Photo illustration by Ella Abbott/WBOI NewsLast Friday, after the U.S. House of Representatives clawed back funding from public media, including NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, WBOI's Travis Pope spoke about the impact.
The Progress We’ve Made
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The Community Foundation honored WBOI as the most improved nonprofit in its Connected Community pillar. -
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting agreed Monday to fulfill a $36 million, multi-year contract with NPR that it had yanked after pressure from the Trump White House.
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!