By Hannah Manier and Nyxi Gammieri
“We are only as strong as the community that surrounds us.”
So said KRFC executive director Justin Clapp, even after a dramatic reprieve from the Supreme Court barring President Trump from ending funding for public broadcasting.
It’s been a life-or-death time for all public radio stations with the administration’s orders hanging over their heads.
KRFC executive director Justin Clapp called the ruling a definite win for free speech and the First Amendment.” However, he said, it doesn’t bring back funds lost in the first year of this Trump administration.
“We’re not going to see any of that return,” he said.
Trump’s executive order blocked any other agencies from helping the National Endowment for the Arts, a big source of support for KRFC. With that now lifted, the station can start donations and grants again.
Most attention has focused on the effects on NPR, PBS, and larger public stations with their programming, but smaller stations suffered much more from Trump’s order.
Clapp said KRFC relies on that federal funding for 15 percent of its operations. That’s a loss of $110,000- $120,000 for the station. Colorado Public Radio sent out as much funding as it could before it was cut, so the void will be higher next year.
“Local stations like KRFC provide support to the community,” he said, Clapp, adding he hopes Northern Colorado will help back.
The station is mostly focused on music, emphasizing local artists and events, with on-air staffers playing all their own picks along with a plethora of local Colorado bands.
In addition to music, programming includes local news and public affairs programming.
While all the on-air staffers at the station are volunteers, KRFC has six staff members on payroll.
These funds also go toward upkeep of the equipment and the building in general. Clapp confirmed it will not be firing any employees and that he would rather make cuts in different areas.
Donors and supporters of the station have stepped up to aid. KRFC also held its first-ever fundraising drive, which raised over $100,000.
