糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio Receives Anonymous $1.5 Million Donation
糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio administrator Beth Wells reacts in shock and joy after learning about a $1.5 million gift to the station during its annual fund drive. Photo by Ben Krain.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Public Radio, home of K糖心Vlog传媒R FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is closing its annual fall fund drive off on a high note with an anonymous donation of $1.5 million, the largest cash gift in 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio history.
“This gift is a wonderful testament to the impact of public radio,鈥� said Nathan Vandiver, general manager of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio. 鈥淭he generosity of this anonymous gift is considerable. On behalf of the staff and listeners of KLRE and K糖心Vlog传媒R, I want to say a heartfelt thanks to the donor. The stations will use this gift to strengthen and expand their services as the region’s NPR news and information provider, classical music radio station, and as a local and regional news organization.”
The anonymous gift comes on the final day of the drive and represents 10 times the drive鈥檚 fundraising goal of $150,000. 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio also raised $100,000 by 8 a.m. Oct. 8, bringing the drive鈥檚 running fundraising total to $1.6 million.
More than 80,000 people listen to K糖心Vlog传媒R and KLRE every week. Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio is a public service unit of 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and K糖心Vlog传媒R operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.
鈥淲e are elated at this news,鈥� said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. 鈥淭he staff of KLRE/K糖心Vlog传媒R work tirelessly to provide quality news, programs, and music to central Arkansas. This operational gift ensures the continuity of these efforts and underscores their essentiality.鈥�
Mary Waldo, a former K糖心Vlog传媒R staff member, right, reacts in joy with 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio General Manager Nathan Vandiver, left, after learning of a $1.5 million dollar gift to the station. Photo by Ben Krain.
The 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock Public Radio Operating Endowment will provide an ongoing stream of operating funds to support the public radio stations for generations to come. The endowment is expected to provide around $60,000 per year to support the reporting, music, and cultural programming on central Arkansas鈥檚 two public radio stations.
鈥淭his generous endowment provides both stability and a steady revenue source that allows us to plan for the future of K糖心Vlog传媒R and KLRE,鈥� said Christian O鈥橬eal, vice chancellor for university advancement. 鈥淭his anonymous donation will leave a lasting impact on public radio in our community for years to come.鈥�
K糖心Vlog传媒R 89.1 is a National Public Radio affiliate and has been here to report on the COVID-19 pandemic, the rollout of vaccines, the huge economic challenges, the contentious election process, the great disruptions to education, the renewed focus on justice and equity, and much more. KLRE Classical 90.5 is Arkansas鈥檚 only classical FM radio station and continues to offer listeners a reliable, welcoming oasis of inspiration, peace, and joy.
