This summer, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters will continue celebrating 50 years of serving community radio stations all across the country! NFCB invites you to the 2026 NFCB Community Radio Convening in downtown Chicago, Illinois.
You have spoken up, and we are listening! This convening will center on three of the major spokes in the community broadcasting wheel: organizational health, revenue, and engagement. We’re thrilled to partner with Greater Public’s PMGC and Public Media Content Collective (PMCC) to help Build a Bigger Tent and make space for transformative and meaningful conversations.
The day will be rich with engaging and relevant content that will leave attendees not only feeling regrounded in their work but equipped with actionable tools they can apply at stations right away. In addition to these learning sessions, NFCB has built in generous breaks for that invaluable time to connect with old friends and to make new ones.
Registration is now closed. This event is sold out!
Thank you to everyone who has registered for this convening. We can’t wait to see you in Chicago!
Got questions? Concerns? Reach out to Serah (at) nfcb.org or Gretchen (at) nfcb.org.
Keynote Workshop Presenter: Dr. Johnanna Ganz
Cultivating The Skills of Radical Hope to Sustain Our Work
There has never been a better or a worse time to be in mission-driven, community-oriented work. The ever-shifting landscape of executive orders and protections, unexpected funding threats and loss, and holding the social, emotional, and cultural realities can seem unbearable. However, we know that communities and resistance are built through authentic relationships and that hope is a verb—built through practical actions that align with our values.
Dr. Johnanna Ganz will guide attendees through a morning of deep collaboration as we explore how to turn towards each other and use concrete tools to build our collective futures with radical hope.
While none of us have all the answers, we know that relationships within community, intentional conversations, and coordinated actions will help us arrive at some answers to address this moment in our cultural history and experiences. If you have been struggling to see a better future or you just need a refresh for your hope work, join us. Come to find your footing and build some practical skills, because we will always do better when working together.
Afternoon Programming: Rural America & Public Media
What All Stations Need to Know About Rural Audiences
In early 2026, NFCB commissioned City Square Associates to conduct the Rural Research Study, creating a portrait of rural America relevant to the mission of public and community broadcasters. NFCB also commissioned Brevity & Wit to alchemize these numbers and figures into meaningful narratives, tools, and training for broadcasters. In this post-CPB environment, rural audience data is key to shaping a more equitable future of our field.
Get ready for this interactive 2-and-a-half-hour session (with a hefty beverage break in the middle) on the newly conducted research on rural audiences. Whether you’re a small or big station, you’ll want to attend this session that gives you access to critical data on the communities you serve.
Learn from peer case studies and how this data will complement your relational approach to community engagement.
Also discover how you can get the data you need to increase fundraising and make informed decisions about your station, from succession planning to staff and volunteer management.
