Minnesota Public Radio has announced the receipt of a $56 million cash gift to support Classical music programming.
“In keeping with the donor’s explicit intent for this contribution, the funds will be used exclusively to serve YourClassical audiences and provide technological support for new media transmission,” MPR said in a news release.
MPR runs Classical 24, a service that syndicates Classical programming to public radio stations nationwide, and operates a 24-hour Classical music service with coverage throughout the state, including KSJN/99.5 (Minneapolis). The network is a rarity since most public radio services relegate Classical music to smaller signals or limited schedules.
MPR will establish a separate endowment to ensure stewardship of the donation, which is the largest in its 55-year history. It says the money will be used to “increase national appreciation of classical music and expand audience reach with new programming and technologies.”
“This extraordinary gift will have a transformative impact on the future of Minnesota Public Radio and the communities we serve,” said Jean Taylor, president and CEO of MPR parent American Public Media Group.
“It will enable us to deepen and broaden our relevance with a growing audience by delivering compelling content, creating meaningful listening experiences and advancing MPR’s digital capabilities and infrastructure. Through the generosity and support of this donor – and so many others – we will continue to fulfill our public service mission,” Taylor said in the news release.