Little Rock Public Radio Receives Anonymous Donation to Support KLRE

An anonymous donor is striking the right chord once again for KLRE Classical 90.5. After a transformative $100,000 gift last spring, the donor has stepped up with an additional $50,000 to ensure the beloved classical music station continues to thrive.

This latest donation to Little Rock Public Radio will fund critical equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at KLRE’s transmitter site, including replacing a transmitter damaged by a 2023 lightning strike and purchasing a refurbished building to safeguard the station’s vital equipment.

“We are incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor, whose continued generosity demonstrates a deep commitment to preserving KLRE and its classical music legacy for future generations,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “This second gift allows us to complete essential equipment upgrades and infrastructure repairs at the transmitter site, ensuring KLRE remains a vital cultural resource for our community.”

Little Rock Public Radio had already started work at the KLRE transmitter site by removing overgrown trees that were in danger of hitting the transmitter during storms, updating the lighting system, and purchasing a backup transmitter. The gift ensures that listeners will continue to enjoy the rich tapestry of classical music, reaffirming the station’s vital role in the community’s cultural landscape.

“This second gift is incredibly meaningful to us at Little Rock Public Radio, as it reflects how deeply someone cares about preserving classical music in Arkansas,” said Grace Zafasi, director of development for Little Rock Public Radio. “Classical music may not always be commercially viable, but its cultural and emotional value is immeasurable. Support like this ensures that we can continue providing access to the arts for communities that might not otherwise have it. We are committed to being excellent stewards of this gift and look forward to bringing quality classical music to central Arkansas for generations to come.”

Housed within the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, Little Rock Public Radio, home of KUAR FM 89.1 and KLRE Classical 90.5, is a public service unit of UA Little Rock. University students gain professional experience by working as interns and part-time staff members who take part in all aspects of KLRE and KUAR operations with a specific focus on news reporting and broadcast production.