‘Frequently Asked Questions’ about WDCB’s Funding in 2025
…from WDCB’s Station Manager Dan Bindert
As awareness has spread about the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and WDCB’s loss of CPB funding, many of our listeners have reached out with questions (and offers of help). Here I have answers for the most often-asked questions.
What does the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) closure mean for WDCB?
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) recently had all of its funding cut by the Federal government. The CPB announced it will cease operations later this year.
WDCB’s fiscal year 2026 began July 1. It will be our first annual budget in more than 25 years without CPB funding. Following the vote in Congress to defund public media, we anticipated this outcome, and frankly have been planning for it for more than a year.
But the CPB closing doesn’t mean WDCB is closing! We’re not changing our beloved programming, or reducing the scope of our mission.
How much annual funding is WDCB losing?
WDCB is facing an immediate annual revenue loss of approximately $140,000 in FY26.
We’re also concerned about shared costs for music licensing and other programming costs previously supported by the CPB. It’s too soon to say how that may impact WDCB, but it seems likely that WDCB will have some new expenses in 2026 resulting from these changes.
Will WDCB’s programming change?
No. The vast majority of our programming is locally hosted and produced by our own dedicated team of staff and volunteers. No WDCB-produced programs will be changing due to the loss of CPB funding.
WDCB does also air some marquee national programs - like “Jazz Night in America” and “American Routes” - that could be facing future budget challenges as a result of the CPB funding cuts. We hope that these shows will remain available, and that we will continue to broadcast them for many years to come.
Doesn’t College of DuPage cover most of WDCB’s expenses anyway?
No. College of DuPage began ramping down its cash support of WDCB in 2013 and ended that annual cash appropriation for WDCB entirely after 2016.
WDCB is licensed to College of DuPage and our studios and transmitter are located on campus. WDCB receives in-kind support from various college departments (Facilities. IT, etc.) but WDCB functions as a self-sufficient cultural arts outreach service of the college.
Since 2017, WDCB has been responsible for covering all of our expenses, including salaries for our professional staff, studio equipment, streaming expenses and more.
In FY25, listener donations totaled more than $1 million dollars, covering approximately 68% of our overall expenses. Roughly 8% of our budget came from the annual CPB grant. Other WDCB revenue sources include corporate support from “underwriting”, special events, merchandise sales, program and event sponsorships, and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Doesn’t the State of Illinois pay for WDCB’s funding?
The only funding WDCB gets from the State of Illinois is the annual operations grant we receive from the Illinois Arts Council. This averages roughly $20,000 per year and equates to less than 2% of our budget.
Can’t WDCB just operate more like a commercial radio station to increase revenue?
The answer to that is simple… No. WDCB has a non-commercial FCC license which restricts both the quantity and content of our underwriting announcements.
What cost-cutting measures will WDCB take?
We are weighing our options for belt-tightening in FY26 as we look at ways to bridge the $140,000 budget gap resulting from the loss of CPB funds. We moved into a new on-air studio in FY25 and that’s already paid for. But we may delay some future purchases as we concentrate on extending the life of our existing equipment as much as possible. We will continue to offer the same quality of programming and events you have come to expect from WDCB.
Can WDCB fill this funding gap and, if so, how?
Since the July defunding vote, WDCB has received a generous influx of donations from listeners wanting to help (Thanks!!!), and we will be actively seeking your help during our Fall & Spring Pledge Drives to help fill the $140,000 loss of CPB funding. We’re optimistic that with your generosity we’ll be able to replace it. Our need now is urgent, but our long-term sustainability is an even greater concern.
What can I do to help?
If you’ve contributed to WDCB but it’s been a while … please renew your support.
If you’re a monthly Encore Club contributor … consider increasing your monthly donation – even a $1, $3, or$5 monthly increase will make a big difference when combined with other contributor’s increases. To increase your Encore donation, simply send us an email at membership@WDCB.org and we’ll get back in touch.
If you’ve never supported WDCB with a donation, today is an ideal time to become a monthly Encore Club donor, or send an ‘annual’ donation.
Please go to WDCB.org/donate and see our many options to support WDCB! You can also email us at membership@WDCB.org, or call us at (630) 942-JAZZ.
And thank you in advance!
