What do federal funding threats mean for Delmarva Public Media?

Dear Friends,

Since 1987, Delmarva Public Media has been a trusted source of news, music, and information—curated specifically for our local community. Our three stations—WESM, WSCL and WSDL—are among the few truly local broadcasters in the region. We deliver local news, original music programming, and thoughtfully selected shows that reflect the unique voice of Delmarva.

Federal funding has been a stable and important source of funding for these stations over those 38 years. That funding is being threatened in a number of ways. The most significant and immediate is a recission process where the funds already allocated to stations for FY26 and FY27 could be clawed back from the Treasury. It would have immediate impact on public media stations throughout the country.

Here’s how federal support fits into Delmarva Public Media’s budget:
Each year, we receive a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) that forms the backbone of our broadcast infrastructure. This grant supports the emergency alert system, our programming, and local journalism.

Federal funding accounts for 15% of our budget. It provides a stable base that allows us to focus on our mission and fundraise for the remainder. For every dollar we receive from the CPB, we raise seven more—and every single dollar goes back into our service, not into profit.

Anticipating this funding challenge, Delmarva Public Media has already taken action. We’ve frozen two staff positions and made some program adjustments to cut costs.

What we are not doing is reducing the locally-produced news and music programming that reflects and supports the Delmarva region. In fact, we are expanding our local content, investing in our award-winning news coverage led by Don Rush, and launching our new Intergenerational Beats initiative, which pairs seasoned journalists with aspiring student reporters.

We are also working hard to boost revenue, with a special focus on listener support. We’ve ramped up efforts to grow membership, foster community philanthropy, build business partnerships, and increase digital revenue. But it’s individual support that holds the greatest potential. If every listener contributed just $35, we could fully fund all three of our stations for an entire year. It all starts with you—right here.

What happens next?
We’ll keep you updated as soon as we have more clarity. In the meantime, we’re keeping our heads high and carrying on. Delmarva Public Media has served this region for almost four decades, through evolving technologies and shifting political landscapes. The situation presents real challenges, but our commitment to providing trusted local content, fostering lifelong learning, and strengthening community connections remains unwavering.

Thank you for standing with us. We need you and we appreciate you, always.

Judy Diaz
Delmarva Public Media
General Manager