Funding Challenges FAQ
Why does KAXE need ongoing funding?
As a non-profit that serves Northern Minnesota, we depend on members, underwriters, grants, and more to sustain our local news and culture services.
In 2025, Congress voted to rescind funds that were already appropriated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. CPB funding has historically enjoyed bipartisan support and was appropriated two years in advance to avoid political meddling.
We’re thinking beyond the next year. We’re building KAXE for the next generation. Support from the Bush Foundation, Blandin Foundation and Press Forward MN is helping invest in stronger local journalism and deepening community connections to the people and places that will keep KAXE thriving for years to come. We are evolving into more than a radio station. We want to be a trusted community resource that reflects the people we serve, brings neighbors together, and continues to evolve alongside Northern Minnesota.
What can I do to help?
- Donate at our website: Consider a gift of $1,000, $500, or $250 to make an impact
- Send a check to: 260 NE 2nd Street/ Grand Rapids, MN 55744
- Text DONATE to 218-326-1234
- Make a contribution from your IRA account
- Donate a vehicle (running or not!)
- Talk to your friends about KAXE and why you support us
How much of the station’s budget came from federal funding?
We lost 13% of our operating budget.
How is local programming affected?
We protect local programming as best we can. Our top priority is keeping our local news, music and community voices on the air.
Cutting any program is never an easy decision. Most often, it comes down to capacity — time, staffing or funding. Sometimes it’s all three. We know our programming matters to you. People build routines and memories around certain shows. That’s what makes community radio so special.
What happens if KAXE doesn’t raise enough money?
If we fall short, we have to look at everything — staffing, programming, and events. We will keep being transparent and making the best decisions we can with the resources we have. But the truth is, without strong ongoing community support, some of what makes KAXE special could be at risk.
What is the long-term funding plan?
We’re building a more sustainable future. That includes growing our membership, expanding business support, applying for more grants and exploring new revenue like digital ads and newsletters. We’re also working with other organizations and funders on collaborative solutions. The long-term goal is sustainability, so KAXE can keep serving Northern Minnesota for decades to come.
What else did KAXE do to address this funding cut?
We consistently look at our entire operation to see where we can economize, reduce or eliminate expenses.
What did the Corporation for Public Broadcasting do for KAXE?
In addition to the annual grant, CPB helped stations like KAXE with the negotiating of music licensing rights, Emergency Alert System (EAS) coordination, and interconnection infrastructure that keeps stations connected and content flowing. The replacement cost on these is not known at this time.
Does my MPR membership help KAXE?
No, KAXE is an independent nonprofit. While MPR and KAXE are both NPR member stations in Minnesota, there is no other affiliation.
What is KAXE’s relationship with NPR?
KAXE is an independent, community-owned station. We’re not owned or operated by NPR. Part of the money we received in the past from the CPB required we carry some national programs. We choose to license some of NPR' programs, like Morning Edition, just like we do from the CBC (As It Happens) or Kohanic Broadcast Corporation (National Native News).
What you hear on KAXE is a mix of local news, music curated by our staff and volunteers and a selection of national programs we think serve our community. If NPR programming ever becomes too expensive or doesn’t align with our mission, we have the freedom to make different choices, and we will.
As part of our membership with NPR, we also receive access to important behind-the-scenes tools like our website content management system and podcast hosting. We pay NPR for these services, which help us better share our local content.
Will Riverfest happen in the future?
We love what the festival has meant to the community, but the reality is costs have gone up and it takes a huge amount of staff time / resources to pull off. We want to host and be part of community events, and will do what we can, when we can!
What if I have more questions?
Ask them! We welcome questions from our community and want this to be a living, breathing FAQ page as we navigate what these challenges mean for our future.
You can call or text 218-326-1234, and our staff will answer your questions or find someone who can. You can also email comments@kaxe.org.
These responses were updated July 16, 2026, and may be subject to change.
