KAXE launches year-end giving campaign with matching funds to amplify impact

KAXE is kicking off our year-end giving campaign with more than $35,500 in available matching funds to support local journalism.

There are more match opportunities scheduled to unlock later in the month of November. Donations to KAXE through Dec. 31 will be matched 3-to-1 up to $1,000 while matching funds remain.

The campaign includes a $5,000 match from the NewsMatch Rural Partner Fund, part of a national initiative that strengthens independent nonprofit newsrooms; $10,500 from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation’s Public Media partner fund; and $20,000 in local “Community Match” dollars, pledged by supporters across the region.

KAXE is one of more than 400 nonprofit news organizations participating in the 10th annual cycle of NewsMatch. The program helps rural and community-based outlets build financial sustainability through local and national support. In addition to providing funding, NewsMatch offers participating newsrooms tools and training to improve long-term fundraising capacity.

“Community support is what made this possible,” said Sarah Bignall, CEO/general manager of KAXE. “We’ve been overwhelmed in the best possible way by how people have really stepped up for us this past year.

"That support helped us qualify for national fundraising efforts like NewsMatch and inspired local donors to offer even more match opportunities.”

Donations raised during the campaign will support KAXE’s growing local newsroom and coverage of key regional issues, including the impacts of the government shutdown, school district budgets and local elections. Funds will also support the Up North Report, the station’s five-minute daily newscast.

The campaign runs through Dec. 31, 2025. Additional match opportunities will be announced later this month.

To learn more or donate, visit kaxe.org/donate.