Public Media’s New Reality: How Stations Can Thrive Amid Funding Losses

About this episode

Debbie Merlino discusses the funding challenges facing public media and strategies for long-term growth.

In this episode of the “Go Beyond Fundraising” podcast, we talk with Debbie Merlino, AGP’s Executive Vice President of Client Relationships, to unpack the unprecedented funding challenges facing public media. With federal and state cuts reshaping station budgets, leaders are asking: what’s next? Debbie shares how stations are navigating the immediate influx of donor support, the risks of relying on that short-term crisis giving, and the critical need to reframe this moment as a “new reality” rather than a temporary hurdle. She outlines strategies for sustaining momentum – stewardship that deepens trust, digital-first acquisition, and data-driven, mid-level upgrades that unlock donor potential. She talks about why closer collaboration among development, finance, and leadership is essential for resilience — and how proven tools like GivingDNA, staff augmentation, and AGP’s Mid-Level Accelerator can help stations not only stabilize but thrive. Whether you lead a station, steward its donors, or build fundraising strategies, this conversation offers practical insights for moving beyond survival and into long-term growth.

People in this episode

Guest: Debbie Merlino

Topics covered

• public media
• funding challenges
• donor support
• fundraising strategies
• collaboration

Keywords

• funding losses
• donor potential
• stewardship
• digital-first acquisition
• mid-level upgrades

Mentioned in this episode

Products: GivingDNA, AGP’s Mid-Level Accelerator

Books & works: Go Beyond Fundraising

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