Classical KC just lost federal funding. Here's what to know and how to help.

In a devastating blow to public media and the millions who rely on it daily, the U.S. Congress eliminated funding for public media — including $500,000 per year in funding that Classical KC and KCUR depend on to serve the people of the Kansas City region. Once the President signs this bill, this funding will disappear on October 1.

For months, we’ve been telling you about these threats to federal funding. Today, this threat has tipped into a crisis.

But this moment is not the end of the fight for independent public media. It’s the beginning of an inflection point. It’s the moment YOU, our audience, can save what is worth fighting for.

Classical KC and KCUR's essential services must survive and thrive. We will continue serving the public interest of the people of Kansas City — your interest.

We’re depending on you. Will you help?

The future of public media now hinges on the unwavering support of our audience.

No one of us is going to write the check that fills this funding gap every year, but rather you, your neighbors, and thousands of others from across this region will come together as a community to protect this public institution that serves you — and thousands across our metro — every single day.

This community of supporters is what makes us strong, makes us resilient, and is what will lift us to a brighter future.

Your contribution right now is vital. Every dollar we bring in, and every supporter we mobilize determines what comes next for the essential news, stories, music and connections our hometown — our country, our democracy — relies on.

Thank you.

What can KCUR and Classical KC supporters do right now?

Here are three easy ways you can help.

1. Support KCUR or Classical KC directly by making a donation.

2. Sign up for email alerts from KCUR so you never miss an update. You can do that here.

2. Spread the word. Forward this page or that email above to someone who values independent local news.

And if you're already a member, thank you for standing for public media when it matters most.

Read the latest updates about public media funding

Below, find KCUR's coverage of the news around public media funding, and subscribe to our email newsletter to receive the latest developments.

Saul Loeb

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AFP via Getty Images

Congress rolls back $9 billion in public media and foreign aid

Scott Neuman

The House approved a Trump administration plan to rescind $9 billion in previously allocated funds, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
The Senate approved the clawback of public media funding. Now the House will vote.

Karen Campbell

There's still time to help.
Michael M. Santiago

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AP

House nears vote on cuts to NPR, PBS and foreign aid programs

Scott Neuman

The Senate voted to approve the $9 billion rescission package early Thursday.
Saul Loeb

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AFP via Getty Images

Senate set to debate cuts to NPR, PBS and foreign aid

Scott Neuman

The Senate voted by a razor-thin margin late Tuesday to advance debate on a package of funding cuts requested by President Trump that would claw back $1.1 billion previously allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Patrick Semansky

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AP

Senate moves to debate cuts to public broadcasting and foreign aid

Deirdre Walsh

The Trump administration has asked Congress to rescind funds for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Congress has until the end of the week to approve the bill, which is sponsored by Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt.
NPR

Congress is close to killing public media funding. Here's the latest and how you can help

Karen Campbell

The U.S. Senate is expected to vote soon on a bill that could rescind years of funding for public media stations like KCUR. It's a critical moment for the future of local journalism in the United States.
Saul Loeb

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AFP via Getty Images

Senators question Trump plan to kill federal funds for PBS, NPR and some foreign aid

Scott Neuman

Democrats and Republicans on the Senate Appropriations Committee pushed back against the Trump administration's bid to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting and international aid programs. Missouri Sen. Eric Schmitt spoke in favor of revoking funding.
Mark Tenally

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AP

U.S. Senate committee to hold hearing on public media funding this Wednesday

Karen Campbell

This week, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations — of which Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran is a member — will hold a hearing on legislation to rescind federal funding for public broadcasting stations like KCUR and Classical KC.
A threat to journalism in Kansas City

Nomin Ujiyediin

The U.S. House voted to take back $1.1 billion from public broadcasting stations like NPR and KCUR. Now, the rescission package heads to the U.S. Senate. KCUR's CEO and news director explain what's happening and what it means for this station — plus how the newsroom approaches its journalism.
Carlos Moreno

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KCUR 89.3

With public media funding under threat, KCUR leader says station will do 'whatever it takes'

Steve Kraske

If the U.S. Senate signs off on the rescission package passed by the U.S. House on Thursday, the loss of federal funding would be an immediate hit to hundreds of public broadcasters like KCUR. "We're going to rely on this community to figure out ways so that we are not having to diminish the service we provide," says General Manager Sarah Morris.
Charles Dharapak

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AP

U.S. House voted to revoke public media funding, an unprecedented threat for KCUR and NPR

Karen Campbell

A narrow majority of the House voted to rescind existing funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, sending the proposal to the U.S. Senate. If approved, this bill represents an existential threat to the future of KCUR, NPR, and hundreds of local stations around the country.
Bonnie Cash

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Getty Images

House votes to kill funding for public media

Deirdre Walsh

The U.S. House voted Thursday on a rescission bill to claw back money for foreign aid programs, along with the next two years of funding for the public media system. The measure now goes to the Senate.