Dear Friends,
In the face of heightened national conversations around public media funding, our shared values are being tested. That’s why NFCB Board President Kerry Semrad and I are hosting a special Town Hall for NFCB members to discuss the growing concerns about CPB funding and what this means for our movement. This virtual Town Hall is for NFCB members only. You can learn more about it here.
There is strength in coming together—sharing thoughts, voicing concerns, and standing in solidarity. This year’s conference seeks to embolden our unity and our continued connection as a network, rooted in a simple truth: you don’t have to do it all—but you do need a plan. One that reflects your vision, your values, and your community.
In my recent conversations with stations across the country, one question keeps surfacing: Are your station’s audience and your station’s community the same thing? It’s a deceptively simple question—yet its implications are profound.
Your audience includes those who tune in regularly for music, news, or cultural programming. But your community includes more: those who may not be listening yet, those who can’t, or those who haven’t yet seen themselves reflected in your sound. As we look to deepen our impact, we must clearly distinguish between these two groups—and prioritize programs and partnerships that strengthen trust within our communities while growing and diversifying our audiences.
Aligning your mission-driven service with intentional listener engagement is the key to remaining both relevant and resilient in today’s evolving media landscape. Community radio is not just about broadcasting or streaming audio—it’s about creating vibrant, creative spaces where voices long excluded from the mainstream can be heard, honored, and uplifted.
That’s why we’re building this year’s Community Media Conference and 50th Anniversary Celebration around a simple but powerful goal: helping you move forward with greater clarity, purpose, and alignment. You’ll leave with a stronger sense of why this work matters and where it’s meant to lead.
We’re excited to share findings from our groundbreaking Reaching Unmet Needs national survey—highlighting where information gaps exist and who remains underserved across the country—as well as insights from our NFCB member survey, which reflects your station’s evolving priorities. We’ll also spotlight best practices from partners like the Listening Post Collective, which uses data from its Civic Information Index to deepen local engagement.
Whether you’re looking to:
- Strengthen your emergency preparedness plans,
- Build authentic community relationships through storytelling,
- Launch or grow an archive that preserves your legacy,
- Sharpen your engineering skills and technical resilience, or
- Diversify your fundraising strategy—
—you’ll find practical, skill-building sessions to support your growth. Our legal team will also be there for your toughest “Ask Me Anything” questions.
Let’s support each other and shape a plan to invigorate community media. Let’s celebrate 50 years of NFCB—and get ready for the next 50 years!
Warm Regards,
Rima
