has already been put to work across the organization
A Message from Jon McTaggart
and Mary Brainerd:
Dear Members and Friends,
It is an honor to provide trusted, fact-based journalism and compelling cultural programming to curious people across Minnesota and around the world. Our privilege is made possible with your generous support and your belief in the power of our public service mission to “…enrich minds, nourish spirits, expand perspectives and strengthen communities.”
Our 2019 Annual Report celebrates you. This year’s report is special: The new multimedia format enables us to showcase more of the dynamic content and rich storytelling that you have helped us create.
Your curiosity has inspired us to deeply explore topics that matter to you. You’ve encouraged us to add new voices and diverse perspectives to our programming and to address more of the changing needs of the audiences and communities we serve. You’ve told us that you want more meaningful coverage of the environment, education and mental health, and we’ve delivered. You’ve shared your passion for music discovery, and you’ve told us that you are continually amazed by the next generation of talented artists that we feature on Classical MPR and The Current. And, many of you have gone above and beyond—giving generously to our Inspired by You campaign and transforming Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media to serve more people who are consuming media in new ways.
None of this would be possible without you. On behalf of all of us at MPR and APM, thank you for listening and for supporting our public service so generously.
Warmly and most gratefully,
Our mission is to enrich the mind and nourish the spirit, thereby enhancing the lives and expanding the perspectives of our audiences, and assisting them in strengthening their communities.
MPR reporters are smart, sharp and well-prepared. MPR represents the most balanced news option in the area. The world is a complicated place and you report on it seriously! Thank you.Juliana, Victoria, MN
[This show] has made me think about and understand my own depression and anxiety a little better. It’s refreshing to know that I’m not the only one who feels the way I do.The Hilarious World
of Depression listener
I studied journalism in college but was always on the fence about pursuing a career in the field. Because of this experience, I am convinced I want to stay in public media.John Nguyen, 2019 MPR News Fellow
Accolades
MPR | APM has received more than 1,000 journalism awards and has been recognized for our outstanding music programming and national on-demand content. None of this would be possible without your support! Here are a few recent accolades that we’re especially proud of. You should be, too.
In the Dark Receives Polk Award
In the Dark: Season Two was the first podcast to receive a prestigious George Polk Award honoring special achievement in journalism. Season Two cast grave doubts on the guilt of Curtis Flowers, an African-American man on Mississippi’s death row who was tried six times for the same crime. The U.S. Supreme Court recently reversed Flowers’ conviction, ruling that the prosecutor used racial discrimination in jury selection.
MPR News reporters covering the Noor trial. Credit: Evan Frost
National Edward R. Murrow Award for MPR News
MPR News received a national Edward R. Murrow Award for its continuing coverage of the fatal police shooting of Justine Ruszczyk. On July 15, 2017, Justine Ruszczyk called 911. Just 22 minutes later she was dead, shot by then-Minneapolis police officer Mohamed Noor. In June 2019, jurors found Noor guilty of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in Ruszczyk’s death.
Other Accolades
- Terrible, Thanks for Asking, hosted by Nora McInerny, was named “Best Podcast” in City Pages’ Best of the Twin Cities 2019.
- MPR News was recognized by the Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association in 12 categories, taking home first place in six.
- MPR News was recognized by the Minnesota Society of Professional Journalism in 16 categories during their Page One Awards.
- MPR News won the 2019 Ancil Payne Award for Ethics in Journalism.
- The Current was named Non-Commercial AAA Station of the Year by FMQB.
- Jim McGuinn, Program Director for The Current, was one of two recipients of the first-ever Sean Demery Independent Spirit Award given out at this year’s World Radio Summit, April 2019.
- In the Dark host and lead reporter Madeleine Baran was named the Burton Award’s 2019 Outstanding Journalist in Law.
The Current not only offers the best mix of music on the radio in Minnesota, it also does wonders for the state’s music scene, exposing listeners to great local artists they might not have otherwise discovered.Daniel, Sarasota, FL
We are passionate supporters of MPR because it touches our lives in countless ways. Classical MPR was the soundtrack to many family dinners, and it soothed our kids when they were babies. Morning Edition and All Things Considered were regular features of school car pools, and now we share our favorite podcasts with our college-age kids. We also love to discover new music together on The Current, and we attend Rock the Garden every year as a family!Linda S. and Jesse G. Singh, President’s Circle,
Legacy Society, Inspired by You Campaign Donors
The Current is so much more than a music service.Stephanie Simon, President’s Circle
It creates a vibrant cultural community that supports local musicians, inspires new music discovery and spurs growth throughout Minnesota’s creative ecosystem. The Current’s exceptional hosts bring depth and color to the Twin Cities by curating a wide range of music and providing context that creates a multidimensional experience for curious listeners.
Minnesota Public Radio has been an essential part of our lives for over 40 years. We turn to MPR News for the truth, especially in today’s political climate where other news outlets focus on sensationalism. We created an endowment to sustain our support well into the future so that more people in our community have access to this vital service.Uttara Rasmussen, Legacy Society, Endowment Donor
We’re so captivated by the stories we hear on MPR that we’ll often stay in the car to finish listening to an interview or a compelling segment. Once, while listening to Classical MPR, the hairs stood up on my neck and I realized it was because of the wonder and beauty of the music. We want everyone to have access to the powerful experiences MPR creates.Thue Rasmussen, Legacy Society, Endowment Donor
Our mother, Emily Anne Staples Tuttle, cared deeply about MPR. She chose to include MPR in her estate because it served as the soundtrack to her life. She was intellectually curious, and she valued journalism that went beyond the headlines and got to the heart of a story. She appreciated the cultural programming and beautiful music on Classical MPR, and even dipped her toes into The Current!Missy Staples Thompson, Greg Staples and
Kate Staples, on behalf of the Estate of Emily Anne Staples Tuttle
MPR’s music services are entertaining, inspiring and refreshing. Being a VIP sponsor of Rock the Garden allowed us to connect to our clients in a meaningful way that transcends a business relationship and focuses on a shared appreciation of the culture and mission for which MPR stands.Peter Schmit, Underwriter, Chair of National Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Group at Robins Kaplan LLP
We’re grateful for the impact Minnesota Public Radio has in our community and are proud to support this vital public service, but we don’t choose MPR—our employees do! As part of our arts and culture operating grants program, we ask employees to select the arts and cultural organizations they value most. Year after year, they select MPR. To us, that speaks volumes about the importance of MPR to the cultural fabric of our state.Katie Clark Sieben, Director, The Cargill Foundation
As a mental health practitioner, I have been talking about Call to Mind with many people, including my clients, to reinforce that it’s okay to talk openly about mental health.Spotlight Series event attendee
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, Classical MPR and The Current—MPR operates a 46-station radio network serving nearly all of Minnesota and parts of surrounding states, reaching 1 million radio 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 the largest producer and distributor of classical music programming in the country, as well as the nation’s largest station-based producer of public radio programming. APM programs reach 19 million listeners nationwide each week on approximately 1,000 radio stations. The diverse portfolio of broadcast and on-demand programming is listed here.
- Indicates approximate distribution of MPR and APM programming
- St. Paul, MinnesotaAmerican Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio headquarters
- Greater Minnesota (Rochester, Collegeville, Bemidji, Moorhead, Worthington and Duluth) MPR News bureaus
- Los Angeles, California Marketplace headquarters
- Pasadena, California KPCC Southern California Public Radio™ headquarters (a part of APMG)
- New York City,
New York Studio/bureau location for Marketplace, The Splendid Table, Live from Here, Performance Today - Washington, D.C. Marketplace bureau location
- London, UK Headquarters for BBC—an APM distribution partnership; Marketplace bureau location
- Shanghai, China (not shown on map) Marketplace bureau location
Programs and Initiatives
ON THE WEB:
ON Social media:
STREAMING AUDIO SERVICES:
INNOVATIONS AND INITIATIVES:
POPULAR MPR PODCASTS:
BROADCAST PROGRAMMING NEWS AND INFORMATION:
CLASSICAL MUSIC:
ARTS AND CULTURE:
POPULAR AND AWARD-WINNING PODCASTS FROM APM AND MARKETPLACE:
Listening to MPR is a needed breath of fresh air for media. I feel equally informed and entertained each time I listen. Engaging in the community, state, national and world events is made easier and more unbiased through MPR.Carly, Vermillion, MN
The quality of the research, reporting, production and narrative is some of the best in media. The work you do has a real impact on society. It helps me to learn and grow, and it helps keep our government and leaders accountable. This is exactly what free press is for!Miraida, Brooklyn, NY
Total Operating Revenue
Expenses
Endowment
MPR | APM is the fortunate beneficiary of several endowment funds. As of June 30, 2019, our endowment was valued at $196 million, including $36 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 receive the Charities Review Council’s seal for meeting accountability standards that include public disclosure, governance, financial activity and fundraising.
Inspired by You Campaign Update
The Inspired by You campaign is accelerating innovation across MPR | APM and transforming our public service for the benefit of diverse communities in Minnesota and beyond. Your generous support of the campaign ensures that our service remains accessible and relevant, and builds the vital connections to strengthen our changing communities well into the future. Thank you!
The campaign launched in 2015 with an ambitious goal of $75 million. We’ve exceeded our goal for deferred gifts, and we have $4 million remaining to reach our cash goal by June 30, 2020.
$37M
View previous annual reports:
PHOTO CREDITS (from top to bottom, left to right): Home: Nate Ryan, Caroline Yang, Courtesy of Mary Brainerd; Your Impact: Christine T. Nguyen, Evan Frost, Rose Conlon, Nate Ryan, Nate Ryan, Seth Iverson, APM, Fred Child, Eamon Coyne, Nate Ryan, APM, APM, Ryan Stopera, Nate Ryan, Greg Kahn, Evan Frost; Donors: Jayme Halbritter, Jayme Halbritter, Jayme Halbritter, Jayme Halbritter, Jayme Halbritter, Courtesy of the Estate of Emily Anne Staples Tuttle, Courtesy of Robins Kaplan, Jayme Halbritter, Brandan Bush; About: Evan Frost; Leadership: Hunter Hart; Financials: Chuck Carver, Jeffrey Thompson, Courtesy of Minneapolis College of Art and Design/Chris Roberts, Evan Frost, John Enger, Jeffrey Thompson
