News & Press
Explore recent news coverage and announcements highlighting the impact of the Public Media Bridge Fund.
For media inquiries, please reach out to bridgefund@publicmedia.co.
In The News
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One year ago Congress killed the CPB. Public media is still trying to figure out the future
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![A man in a dark suit speaks from a podium against a dark blue backdrop with spotlights in the background.]()
Tim Isgitt Named to the 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy List
“In August 2025, Isgitt helped launch the Public Media Bridge Fund with the goal of raising $100 million to help these at-risk stations survive.”
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Four Ways Philanthropy's Backing Local News in Rural America
”In many rural or underserved regions, public media is often the only source of local news. That means that Congress’ decision last year to eliminate funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting … hit those in rural and tribal areas particularly hard.”
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Public Media Bridge Fund: One Bright Spot Amid Trump-Era Cuts
“Philanthropy has often been criticized for being slow to act, but in this case, the sector’s response was both swift and robust.”
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![A light orange building is pictured, with a red roof and the logo for radio station KRZA is pictured against a blue sky backdrop and a wood picket fence in the foreground.]()
A ‘Bridge Fund’ Buys Time for Public Media — But It May Not Be Enough
“Within weeks of the rescission bill’s passage, the nonprofit Public Media Company launched a ‘bridge fund’ to help local stations survive the sudden loss of federal support.”
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![A man in a suit speaking at a lectern with a bright blue background. The lectern displays the Knight Foundation logo, with the "Knight Media Forum 2026" below.]()
Public Radio Stabilized By Emergency Grants As Post-CPB Era Begins
“Public media leaders are acknowledging how close the system came to widespread station shutdowns following Congress’ elimination of funding for public radio and television.”
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Public Media’s Promise Was Never the Problem
“This is the moment to find a better solution. But the winning coalition must be as broad and as honest as the problem is large.”
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![Three people sit in black chairs onstage at the Knight Media Forum. A big blue wall reads "Knight Media Forum 2026," and silhouettes of the audience are in the foreground.]()
The Future of Public Media: From Stabilization to Transformation
“After a joint philanthropic effort to stabilize the public media network following the loss of federal funding, learn how the system is transforming and charting a path toward a new chapter for the public media sector.”
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![Radio station studio with a person wearing headphones working at a soundboard and computer monitors. An 'ON AIR' sign is lit above the door.]()
Public Media Holds Its Apocalypse at Bay, for Now
“Though Congress cut $500 million from NPR and PBS stations, vanishingly few have closed their doors. Angst about their long-term future remains.”
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Public Media Bridge Fund announces initial round of grants
“The Public Media Bridge Fund is awarding $26 million in its first round of grants to public media organizations that are most in need following the loss of federal funding earlier this year.”
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![A man in a suit speaking at a table with a banner behind him displaying the website ADOPTATION.ORG. A graphic on the left promotes the PUBLIC MEDIA BRIDGE FUND, an initiative by a Public Media Company.]()
Public Media: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
“John Oliver discusses the vital role public media plays in the lives of many Americans.”
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![A woman in a black turtleneck speaking into a microphone in a radio studio, with a soundboard, computer monitors and soundproofing foam behind her.]()
The Race to Rescue PBS and NPR Stations
“The Knight Foundation and other top organizations are aiming to provide $50 million to stabilize the stations most at risk from the recent federal government funding cuts.”
Announcements
August 18, 2026
Public Media Bridge Fund, Year One: From Stabilization to Adaptation
Our one-year impact report outlines our work to date, what we’ve learned, forthcoming funding opportunities, and our aims and objectives through 2028.
August 3, 2026
An Update to Our Collaborative Operating Models Open Call
Changes reflect learnings from the first four months of the program, needs and opportunities across the system, and feedback from stations and industry partners.
July 9, 2026
American Journalism Project, Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, More Perfect and the Public Media Bridge Fund join forces to invest in the future of public media
A $1.4 million investment will support Texas Public Radio’s growth following its combination with the San Antonio Report, launching a broader effort to help public media organizations expand local reporting and strengthen long-term sustainability.
July 7, 2026
Public Media Bridge Fund Announces Disaster Recovery Grants for Isla Public Media and KOSU
The two emergency grants, totaling $145,000, will help restore and secure local public media service for communities in the Northern Mariana Islands and Oklahoma.
June 9, 2026
Public Media Bridge Fund Announces $125,000 Investment in Newsletter Platform Quoted Network
Investment supports a newsletter syndication network designed to help local public media organizations grow audience engagement and build new revenue streams.
May 14, 2026
Tim Isgitt Named to the 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy List of the 100 Most Influential Leaders in Philanthropy
TIME named Tim Isgitt, CEO of Public Media Company (PMC) to the second-annual 2026 TIME100 Philanthropy list, recognizing singular figures who are shaping the future of giving.
March 31, 2026
Public Media Bridge Fund Launches New Sustainability Program
Initiative marks next phase of Bridge Fund’s work, advancing long-term sustainability following initial stabilization efforts
March 16, 2026
Public Media Bridge Fund Announces Stabilization Coaches
Eight experienced public media leaders will provide hands-on coaching to Bridge Fund grantees to help them achieve greater operational sustainability
January 29, 2026
Public Media Bridge Fund Announces Emergency Grant Programs
Programs designed to help restore and secure local public media service in the wake of immediate and unforeseen disruption
December 9, 2025
Public Media Bridge Fund Awards $26 Million in Stabilization Grants for At-Risk Public Media Stations
More than 70 grantees — operating over 180 radio and television stations — nationwide will receive crucial funding in first wave of grants designed to sustain vital local news and cultural programming
August 19, 2025
Launching the Public Media Bridge Fund
Public Media Company announces new Public Media Bridge Fund to secure public media service in at-risk communities.
Media Assets
Ready-to-use assets for stations and partners.
Please reach out to pmbf@resnicow.com for press inquiries.
Logos
Bridge Fund logos for acknowledgment and attribution