Anonymous Donor Gifts Little Rock Public Radio with $400,000
An anonymous donor has made a transformative $400,000 gift to Little Rock Public Radio, providing critical support for equipment upgrades and infrastructure improvements that will enhance the station’s ability to serve its listeners across central Arkansas.
The donation will fund the purchase of a new transmitter for KUAR FM 89.1, as well as a backup transmitter to be housed at the studio. This backup will help minimize potential downtime during severe weather or other emergencies, ensuring that KUAR can continue to deliver timely news, music, and programming when listeners need it the most.
“This extraordinary gift is a testament to the power of public radio and the generosity of those who believe in its mission,” said Jonathan Seaborn, general manager of Little Rock Public Radio. “Replacing our aging transmitter and equipment ensures that we can continue delivering quality programming to our listeners for years to come. We are deeply grateful for this anonymous donor’s investment in the future of our station and the vital role it plays in our community.”
In addition to replacing the transmitter, the funds will be used to upgrade equipment in the station’s studio, particularly in the rack room, which serves as the operational hub of the facility. These upgrades are especially timely as Little Rock Public Radio prepares to move into a new studio space in Stabler Hall later this year.
“Moving to a new location is the perfect opportunity to modernize our equipment and ensure that we’re set up for long-term success,” Seaborn said. “With this generous support, we’ll be able to provide our staff and interns with the tools they need to continue producing top-quality programming and reporting for our community.”
This gift marks the second major anonymous donation to Little Rock Public Radio in recent months. Earlier, another anonymous donor contributed $50,000 for essential repairs at KLRE’s transmitter site. That donation funded the replacement of a transmitter damaged by a 2023 lightning strike, as well as the purchase of a refurbished building to better protect KLRE’s equipment.
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.