For the Good of All
For the Good of All — A renewed commitment to the future of independent public media in central Illinois.
In response to the elimination of federal funding for public media, Illinois Public Media has launched a bold new campaign to protect our future and re-invest in the people, stories, and services that define public media in our region. For the Good of All will help sustain and broaden the services that have defined our mission — educational programming for children, independent agricultural and rural reporting, lifelong learning tools, and a long-standing commitment to equity, accessibility, and universal public service. It's a campaign for everyone. Whether you're a first-time donor, a monthly sustainer, a major donor, or someone considering a legacy gift, now is the time to stand with independent media — and invest in the voices of tomorrow.
This page will be updated as important developments unfold. Illinois Public Media is committed to transparency and keeping you informed of updates as soon as they arise.
Campaign Goals
This bold and ambitious campaign aims to close the $1.5 million annual funding gap over the next five years while building a more resilient future through:
- Growing IPM's Member Base: Adding 1,750 new members annually to the Friends of WILL.
- Expanding Sustaining Support: Increasing our sustaining member base by 25% each year.
- Attracting Major Gifts: Securing 25 major gifts annually, including transformational contributions to protect the long-term future of independent public media in central Illinois.
- Newsroom Independence Fund: Establishing an enduring source of support to protect and expand original reporting on vital issues like education, healthcare, the environment, and the economy — stories told from within the communities we serve.
How Can I Help?
- Become a Member: Join the Friends of WILL with a one-time or recurring monthly gift of any amount and enjoy incredible member benefits, including WILL Passport, NPR+, Patterns Magazine, and more.
- If You're An Existing Member:
- Increase your recurring monthly gift — an increase of just $3, $5, or $10 will have a much larger impact than you expect.
- Consider converting your annual donation to a convenient, recurring monthly gift — which add stability and predictability to IPM's financial position.
- All members can make an inspirational one-time gift of any amount at any time.
- Make a Major Gift: If you’re considering a larger or multi-year gift, we’d be honored to talk with you. Your generosity can make a lasting difference. Please contact Erin Lippitz, Director of Major Gifts, at 217-333-7300.
- Leave a Legacy: Including Illinois Public Media in your estate plans helps secure the future of public media in our state. Learn more on our legacy giving page.
- Spread the Word: Subscribe to IPM's newsletters, follow IPM on social media — Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, and YouTube — and share our content, download and recommend the WILL Public Media App (for iOS and Android).
A message from John Steinbacher, Director of Development
Illinois Public Media is an essential public resource central Illinois has relied on for more than a century. It's your home for fact-based and independent journalism — including local coverage from IPM Newsroom and trusted national news from PBS and NPR. It's a source of educational programming for viewers, listeners, and readers of all ages. It unites our community and celebrates the culture that makes our region unique. And it's worth protecting.
To ensure IPM's legacy remains alive for future generations, we have launched For the Good of All — a comprehensive campaign that's about much more than filling a funding gap. It's about protecting local, independent public journalism. It's about preserving access to culture and the arts. It's about defending a vital civic resource that makes our region stronger by amplifying diverse voices, uniting neighbors through shared cultural experiences, and keeping communities throughout central Illinois informed and connected.
We intend to preserve this essential public service for years to come. And with your help we will — For the Good of All.
A message from Reginald Hardwick, Director of News & Public Affairs
Our mission at Illinois Public Media News is to inform and engage the people of Illinois through high-quality journalism. Whether you’re watching the PBS NewsHour or you wake up to the day's first headlines and weather forecast from Kimberly Schofield on WILL radio… we're here to help give you context and fact-based stories... from University Avenue to Pennsylvania Avenue, from Neil Street to Wall Street.
We are being honest when we say the federal rescissions have impacted our newsroom. Three journalists have left recently, and for now, those positions are not being filled. That means fewer reporters on the streets of Champaign-Urbana covering the stories that matter to you. But for those of us who remain... we are committed to serving the community that means so much to us. Emily Hays is our education reporter, covering public schools in Champaign, Danville, and Urbana. Each weekday, we produce the only live, talk show focused on downstate Illinois. The 21st Show, hosted by Brian Mackey, has discussed everything from the immigration raids to rail travel across our state. He's also interviewed several of the candidates who want to replace Dick Durbin in the US Senate. Our State of Change team focused on efforts to preserve the 2,300 acres of original prairie (down from 22 million in the 1800s) that remain. Our new Weather Realness podcasts feature University of Illinois science professors explaining weather and climate trends that affect our lives here in central Illinois.
These programs and all the work we do in the Illinois Public Media newsroom would not be possible without you. When you donate now, you’re making sure that trusted, in-depth news and analysis will continue to thrive in our community.
