Release date: 27 Jul 2004
Public Radio Capital Receives $200,000 from the Ford Foundation
(Denver) Public Radio Capital has received a grant of $200,000 from the Ford Foundation to
help increase the choices for public radio programming in the United States by protecting and
expanding scarce broadcast assets used to deliver this service. The grant was awarded by the Media, Arts and Culture Unit of the Ford Foundation.
"In Media, our work strengthens free and responsible media that address important civic and social issues. We see public radio as critical to this goal, and Public Radio Capital as a significant player in protecting and expanding the number of locally-owned and operated public radio stations in this country. With more stations, public radio can deliver more diverse services to more audiences and serve them better. Simply put, this is exactly the sort of work we exist to support."
Orlando Bagwell
Program Officer
Media, Arts and
Culture unit of
The Ford Foundation
"We are honored that the Ford Foundation has recognized the vital importance Public Radio
Capital plays in strengthening our country’s democratic traditions by protecting and expanding
locally-owned and operated public radio stations, " said Susan Harmon, one of PRC's managing directors. "The foundation has taken a leadership role to ensure that citizens will not
lose important, local media voices devoted to providing meaningful, substantial content."
Since its founding three years ago, Public Radio Capital has played a critical role in the
preservation and expansion of public radio services. PRC has helped add and preserve public
radio stations locations across the country, including Albany, New York; Chicago,
Illinois; Denver, Colorado; and Sacramento, California.
Proceeds from the Ford Foundation grant will
provide PRC funds to further its work with new broadcast partners through the second half of
2004.
"This grant will help PRC work in priority communities where local public broadcasting
organizations are ready to move on opportunities to expand service. We’re grateful for the Ford Foundation's help
in achieving these goals," said Marc Hand, PRC's other managing director.
The Ford Foundation grant continues the substantial support Public Radio Capital has received
from national foundations since its inception in July, 2001. The startup of PRC has been
sustained by grants from the Surdna Foundation, the Open Society Institute, and individual
donors.
In the past year, PRC also received a grant of $275,000 from the Corporation for Public
Broadcasting to increase readiness among public radio organizations for station acquisitions, and
has received further support from the Vervane Foundation and the Argosy Foundation.
About the Ford Foundation
The Ford Foundation is a resource for innovative people and institutions worldwide.
For half a
century, its goals have been to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice,
promote international cooperation and advance human achievement.
The Media, Arts and
Culture unit seeks to strengthen the arts and media as important contributors to the communities
and societies in which they function.
