MPR | APM ANNUAL REPORT
2023
July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023
Our Mission:
Creating the future of public media by amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.
Your support is making a difference.
More than
More than
Almost
supported as
Interns and Fellows
of the Legacy Society
More than
Your Impact
Your support allows us to fulfill our public service mission to produce the highest-quality news, music and cultural content delivered through multiple platforms: broadcast, digital, mobile, social media and live events. Here is a sampling of the exciting things you have made possible this year.
Your support
funds trusted news and information to help you make sense of the world around you.
Your gifts
create space for the vital conversations that citizens should be having… together.
Your generosity
connects you to a thriving creative community of familiar voices and adventurous new artists.
The Current 2023 Page One Awards
MPR News, The Current and Carbon Sound had an impressive showing at the 2023 Page One Awards, hosted by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalists. The ceremony took place at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul and featured a keynote speech by Star Tribune CEO and publisher Steve Grove. (left to right): The Current and Carbon Sound’s Darin Kamnetz, Macie Rasmussen, Marla Khan-Schwartz, Reed Fischer, Julian Green, Mike Madison, Natalia Toledo, and Luke Taylor.
Accolades
MPR | APM has received more than 1,000 journalism awards and has been recognized for outstanding music programming and national on-demand content. None of this would have been possible without the support of our members and donors.
Here are a few that we’re especially proud of (click on the links to listen to or read the award-winning stories again).
2023 THE GRACIE ALLEN AWARDS:
- Radio—Nationally Syndicated Non‐Commercial—Jennifer Pak and Marketplace for China reporting, APM Reporter or Correspondent
- Radio—Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial—Pediatricians brace for the end of federal COVID‐19 vaccine funding, Marketplace, APM News Feature
- Radio—Non‐Commercial (Local)—MPR News with Angela Davis, Your Vote: Abortion is top of mind for many voters Minnesota Public Radio News Talk Show
2023 ANTHEM AWARD:
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Podcast or Audio Awareness & Media (Nonprofit)—Bronze recognition category, Carbon Sound from The Current
2023 MINNESOTA SOCIETY FOR PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS (MNSPJ) PAGE ONE AWARDS:
- Feature Reporting (big)—First Place, Dan Kraker, Kerem Yucel of MPR News for “Return of rare Ojibwe horse lifts spirits—but still needs help”
- A&E/Culture Criticism/Reviews (big)—First Place, Joel Swenson of The Current for “Father John Misty brings big band energy to the Palace” and other reviews
- Breaking News Reporting—First Place, Minnesota Now at MPR News for coverage of the US Supreme Court reversal of Roe v. Wade
- Investigative Reporting—First Place, Kirsti Marohn of MPR News for “Longtime MPCA employee alleges retaliation over petroleum complaints.”
- Politics/government reporting—First Place, Brian Bakst, Dana Ferguson of MPR News for “Coverage of the 2022 Election.”
- Feature Photography—First Place, Darin Kamnetz of The Current for “Kraftwerk, Syd, Odesza.”
- Illustration—First Place, Andrés Guzmán of The Current for “89 Days of Summer.” And Second Place, Alexis Politz of The Current for “89 Days of Winter.”
- Coverage—Feature Reporting (More than 50,000 circulation)—First Place, MPR’s Dan Kraker and Kerem Yucel for “Return of rare Ojibwe horse lifts spirits—but still needs help” report
2023 BON APPÉTIT, BEST PODCASTS:
- The Splendid Table’s “The One Recipe” podcast
2022 INVESTIGATIVE REPORTERS AND EDITORS (IRE):
- Longform Journalism in Audio—Winner, American Public Media, Emily Hanford, Christopher Peak, Catherine Winter, Chris Julin, Emily Haavik for “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”
2023 PUBLIC MEDIA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AWARDS:
- Division AA—Interview category-First Place, Minnesota Now’s “Remembering the I-35 bridge collapse: One survivor shares her story” interview
- Division AA—Audience Engagement Program category-First Place, MPR News with Angela Davis’ “Coping with prolonged grief over George Floyd, mass shootings and the pandemic” program
2023 NATIONAL HEADLINER AWARDS:
- Broadcast Radio Networks and Syndicators—Breaking News or Continuing Coverage category—First Place, Marketplace’s Meghan McCarty Carino and Diantha Parker for “As Roe Is Overturned, Workplaces Scramble To Address Employee Benefits Around Abortion Care”
- Broadcast Radio Networks and Syndicators—Pandemic Coverage/Project category—First Place, Marketplace’s Jennifer Pak and John Buckley for “Life In and Out of Lockdown: Covid In China”
2023 WEBBY AWARDS:
- Podcasts, Family & Kids category—Winner, Marketplace staff for “Million Bazillion” podcast
2023 FORUM ON LEADERSHIP:
- George W. Bush Institute Citation presented to Emily Hanford of APM Reports for her work, including “Sold a Story: How Teaching Kids to Read Went So Wrong”
2023 EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS (REGIONAL AWARDS):
- Radio—Large Market, Region 4 / Continuing Coverage—MPR News for “Rainy Lake Flooding, Dan Kraker Reporting”
- Radio—Large Market, Region 4 / Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—MPR News for “North Star Journey Project”
- Radio—Large Market, Region 4 / Hard News—MPR News for “City Releases Body Camera Clip of Killing of Amir Locke”
- Radio—Large Market, Region 2 / Podcast—LAist Studios for “Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary” podcast episode
2023 THIRD COAST/RICHARD H. DRIEHAUS FOUNDATION AWARDS:
- Best Documentary-Finalist, Laist Studios for “How Do I Love Someone? Starring Megan Tan” podcast
- Best Serialized Story-Finalist, American Public Media for The Water Main’s “In Deep: One City’s Year of Climate Crisis” podcast story
I love the musical variety and the friendly on-air voices! I’ve never been to Minnesota, but The Current is the soundtrack of my workday here in Canada, so I feel like I’d be welcome if I ever make it down there!”
– Susan from Toronto, Ontario
ClassNotes: Titambe performs for students at Lucy Craft Laney Community School in Minneapolis. Venn Productions
Donor Voices
You have been here for us this year, so we can be here for you. Because of your generosity, we can continue to inform, include, and inspire through amplifying voices. With your support, we are creating the future of public media.
Thank You
In a world of soundbites that form the opinions of many, MPR News is a breath of fresh air and a balanced, detailed analysis of complicated issues that need real and honest discussion.”
– Stewart, Woodbury, MN
I can’t imagine a day without classical music to uplift me, inspire me and keep me focused on my work. Your program hosts are entertaining and enlightening. They are all wonderful. Thank you for keeping this music alive and available.”
– Shawnee, Hollywood, CA
I love The Current because it helped me discover music that I wouldn’t have discovered otherwise. Thanks, The Current! Keep it up!”
– Federico, North Mankato, MN
The Splendid Table helps bring us all together at the dinner table, sharing recipes and smiles. It’s actually an on-air community that tempts your taste buds and raises your spirit at the same time. Thanks a lot—we needed that!”
– Ruth, San Francisco, CA
My family loves Brains On! universe—we’ve been listening for several years now and still enjoy every episode (kids and parents)!”
– Kim, Flanders, NJ
Marketplace is THE only news I listen to, and as a business leader, Marketplace keeps me informed about the economy and bolsters my decision making.”
– Darrell, Des Peres, MO
I love a poem being curated and read to me by an accomplished poet. Priceless.”
– Kymm, Jamaica Plain, MA
MPR has been a part of my life since I was a young child growing up on a farm in Jackson, MN. My mother was a 40+ year member and listener, and MPR was always on the radio in our house and in the car. I have carried on my family’s commitment to MPR—now I always have MPR on in my house and 91.1 is the only pre-set radio station in my car. I have an elementary school aged daughter who now listens with me, just like I listened with my mom. When my daughter was learning to talk, she would start her stories with, “Live from MPR news……” and now we love Molly Bloom and we love listening to Smash Boom Best and Brains On! together. My husband and I support MPR because we appreciate the wide array of programming it provides, and we want to help ensure the future of public media. We have included MPR in our estate plans because we firmly believe that we need to support organizations that align with our values and MPR fits them perfectly.”
– Laura, Minneapolis, MN
In Focus—Behind Storefront
MPR News host Angela Davis leads a panel discussion about creating an inclusive economic recovery along the Lake Street corridor in the wake of 2020 unrest. The conversation, which is a part of MPR News’ In Focus series, was hosted at Hook and Ladder Theater & Lounge and co-organized by MPR News and Meet Minneapolis. June 6, 2023. Tim Evans for MPR.
About
Minnesota Public Radio
Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) is one of the nation’s premier public media organizations, producing programming for radio, digital and live audiences. With its three core services—MPR News, YourClassical MPR and The Current—MPR operates a 46-station radio network serving Minnesota and its neighboring communities along with 41 translators providing additional local coverage, reaching nearly 1 million listeners each week.
A complete list of stations, programs, podcasts and additional services can be found here.
American Public Media
American Public Media (APM), MPR’s national programming division, is a producer and distributor of award-winning radio programming and podcasts. APM is the largest producer and distributor of classical music programming in the country and the nation’s largest station-based producer of public radio programming. APM programs reach nearly 17 million listeners nationwide each week on nearly 1,000 public radio stations, and its suite of podcasts delivers over 18 million downloads every month.
The diverse portfolio of broadcast and on-demand programming is listed here.
APM HAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000 STATION AFFILIATES COVERING ALL 50 STATES (INCLUDING FM, AM AND HD CHANNELS)
American Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio headquarters
(Rochester, Collegeville, Bemidji, Moorhead, Worthington and Duluth) MPR News bureaus
Marketplace headquarters
KPCC Southern California Public Radio™ headquarters (a part of APMG)
Studio/bureau location for Marketplace, The Splendid Table, Live from Here, Performance Today
Marketplace bureau location
Headquarters for BBC — an APM distribution partnership; Marketplace bureau location
(not shown on map)
Marketplace bureau location
Map is intended as a representation of APM programming reach, not of exact station locations.
Marketplace provides economics with heart and pays attention to all aspects of the economy, not just the economy for those at the top.”
– Regina, Hopewell Junction, NY
Brains On! Podcast Liz Linder
Leadership
The Role of the Board
The MPR | APM Board of Trustees fulfills the critical role of organizational governance. The principal responsibilities of the board include setting the organization’s broad policies, direction and priorities, and, as part of its fiduciary duty, helping ensure the organization’s sustainable future. The board assures that the organization’s leadership is recognized as experts and leaders in their fields and provides fiduciary oversight. The board is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the broadcast services for the benefit of the communities served. The board upholds the organization’s mission and supports its highest values: independence, nonprofit and Member-supported status.
Talking Volumes with Celeste Ng Tom Campbell
Financials
Year-End Operating Results and Audited Financial Statements
MPR | APM is financially healthy, finishing fiscal year 2023 with $115 million in Total Operating Support and Earned Revenue. Diversified revenue streams, particularly your continued financial support, are especially important in enabling us to fulfill our essential public service mission and invest in strategic priorities that will serve more people. Complete audited financial statements for fiscal year 2023 and other financial information can be found at mpr.org/finances.
Total Operating Revenue
Expenses
Endowment
MPR | APM is the fortunate beneficiary of several endowment funds. As of June 30, 2023, the value of the endowment funds for the benefit of MPR | APM was $271 million, including $100 million from estates, individual donors and other community gifts. Gifts earmarked for endowment are critically important for organizational strength and sustainability.
Accountability—Top Rating
MPR | APM maintains the highest standards for nonprofit accountability and transparency. We have earned the highest “four-star” rating from Charity Navigator and received the Charities Review Council’s seal for meeting accountability standards that include public disclosure, governance, financial activity and fundraising.
Thank you
for supporting MPR | APM. Your generosity gives us the chance to continue our work together as we move boldly and creatively into our shared and vibrant future.
Bring the Sing at the Great Northern Chill Out at Surly Brewing Tom Campbell