Anonymous Donor Gifts Little Rock Public Radio with $400,000
An anonymous donor has made a transformative $400,000 gift to , providing critical support for equipment upgrades and infrastructure improvements that will enhance the station’s ability to serve its listeners across central Arkansas.
The donation will fund the purchase of a new transmitter for K糖心Vlog传媒R FM 89.1, as well as a backup transmitter to be housed at the studio. This backup will help minimize potential downtime during severe weather or other emergencies, ensuring that K糖心Vlog传媒R can continue to deliver timely news, music, and programming when listeners need it the most.
“This extraordinary gift is a testament to the power of public radio and the generosity of those who believe in its mission,鈥� said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. 鈥淩eplacing our aging transmitter and equipment ensures that we can continue delivering quality programming to our listeners for years to come. We are deeply grateful for this anonymous donor鈥檚 investment in the future of our station and the vital role it plays in our community.”
In addition to replacing the transmitter, the funds will be used to upgrade equipment in the station’s studio, particularly in the rack room, which serves as the operational hub of the facility. These upgrades are especially timely as Little Rock Public Radio prepares to move into a new studio space in Stabler Hall later this year.
鈥淢oving to a new location is the perfect opportunity to modernize our equipment and ensure that we鈥檙e set up for long-term success,鈥� Seaborn said. 鈥淲ith this generous support, we鈥檒l be able to provide our staff and interns with the tools they need to continue producing top-quality programming and reporting for our community.鈥�
This gift marks the second major anonymous donation to Little Rock Public Radio in recent months. Earlier, another anonymous donor contributed $50,000 for essential repairs at KLRE鈥檚 transmitter site. That donation funded the replacement of a transmitter damaged by a 2023 lightning strike, as well as the purchase of a refurbished building to better protect KLRE鈥檚 equipment.
Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of K糖心Vlog传媒R FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, 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.