When federal funding was cut over a year ago, it threatened the very foundation of rural public television. But for 46 years, Lakeland PBS has belonged to the communities of northern and central Minnesota—and we remain fully committed to serving you. We are hard at work creating a lean, resilient path forward to cover our annual $1 million deficit, but we cannot do it without our local partners: you.
The Viewers Like You Fund was created so our neighbors could directly defend independent, home-grown media. By donating today, you ensure that our region continues to have a voice, a story, and a dedicated public television station to call its own.
For over 45 years, Lakeland PBS has been more than just a television station; we have been a dedicated neighbor, a storyteller for the Northwoods, and a vital link to the world for north and central Minnesota. From the first broadcast in 1980 to the digital era of today, we have built a foundation of community trust by delivering high-quality educational programming, emergency alerts, local news, history, and arts and cultural productions that highlight and preserve the best of our region.
Today, that foundation is being tested. With the dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and the total loss of federal funding, Lakeland PBS is facing a $1 million annual deficit—nearly 37% of our operating budget.
But our story didn’t begin with a government mandate. Lakeland PBS does not exist because the state or federal government decided a station belonged in northern Minnesota; we exist because a passionate group of local citizens worked tirelessly to make it so. Driven by the belief that rural communities deserved a voice, our founders fought to bring educational television to our region and to create a space where neighbors could stay connected. That same independent, grassroots spirit is what has allowed us to continue telling your stories for the past 45 year and we want to continue to serve you for another 45 and beyond.
Our growing viewership proves that even in an age of AI-generated content and commercial noise, there remains an essential need for authentic programming that tells our local stories, educates our children, and inspires our collective future.
The most critical piece of our survival is the "Viewers Like You" Fund. This fund is a direct response to our current deficit, specifically designed to protect the local services that federal funding once supported.
Our goal is clear: We must raise an additional $2 million by January 2028. This target is the cornerstone of our short-term future.
Achieving it will allow us to bridge the current federal funding gap, stabilize our operations, and ensure our vital local services remain as long as possible.
Maximizing our impact requires a diverse and robust funding stream. We are aggressively pursuing a multi-resource approach that ensures no single pillar of support stands alone:
Strategic Grant Acquisition: We are actively pursuing private, state, and foundation grants specifically designed to support local journalism, rural education, and Northwoods culture.
"Lakeland Country" isn't just a point on a map; it is a sprawling, vibrant region of nearly 7,500 square miles across north-central and northeastern Minnesota. From the rugged beauty of the Canadian border down to the historic streets of Little Falls, and from the western prairies near Fosston to the iron-rich communities of Bovey, Lakeland PBS is the thread that keeps our region connected.
We serve a population of more than 383,500 neighbors, providing a shared space for the diverse voices that define our Northwoods culture.
Lakeland PBS is proud to be a primary resource for a diverse and independent population that spans small towns, rural farmlands, and tribal nations. We are honored to serve the Red Lake and Leech Lake Tribal Communities, as well as significant portions of the White Earth and Mille Lacs Tribal Communities, ensuring that the rich heritage and contemporary stories of our Indigenous neighbors are heard and celebrated.
Our viewers are:
Families and Educators: Who rely on PBS KIDS for safe, non-commercial educational content that prepares our children for success.
Civic Leaders and Voters: Who turn to Lakeland News and Debate Night for the only televised coverage of our city councils, school boards, and regional elections.
Rural Residents: Who depend on our broadcast signal for critical weather warnings and emergency alerts, especially in areas where high-speed internet is still a luxury.
Historians and Storytellers: Who see their own lives and landscapes reflected in our local documentaries and cultural programming.
In a media landscape that often focuses on the "Twin Cities," we are here for the Northland. We serve the people who understand that living in a rural community shouldn't mean being left in the dark. Whether you are tuning in from a farmstead in Wadena County or a lakeside home in Brainerd, we are your station, your voice, and your home.
The road to our $2 million goal for January 2028 is ambitious, but we are not starting from zero. Thanks to the overwhelming response from our neighbors and the support of visionary philanthropic partners, we have already begun to see the impact of our collective efforts.
Our leadership doesn't just guide our vision—they invest in our future. Our Volunteer Board of Directors, both past and present, led our fundraising efforts by personally providing a Matching Grant to support the station.
Our Board Members see firsthand the impact of local storytelling and educational programming. By pooling their personal resources, they created a unique opportunity for your generosity to go twice as far.Thanks to our community - that Matching Grant has been fulfilled!
In 2025 alone, we were humbled to welcome 900 new members to the Lakeland PBS family. Now in 2026 we have welcomed over 300 more! These are individuals and families across north and central Minnesota who recognized the urgency of this moment and stepped up to ensure their neighbors stayed informed. This number even included individuals across the country who wanted to support small stations and rural communities that needed it most.
This surge in grassroots support is the clearest signal possible: our community values local journalism and rural representation.
While our individual members provide our foundation, two major philanthropic grants have provided a critical "lifeline" in these one-time grant gifts:
The PMC Bridge Fund: We are honored to be a recipient of a stabilization grant from the Public Media Company (PMC) Bridge Fund. This national initiative was created specifically to protect at-risk stations in rural areas during this period of federal deficit. This grant provides the immediate "foothold" we need to keep our equipment running and our signal strong.
Press Forward Minnesota: Through the "Save the Signal Minnesota" initiative, Press Forward Minnesota has recognized Lakeland PBS as an essential piece of the state’s civic infrastructure. Their support is helping us maintain our newsroom operations, ensuring that the loss of federal dollars doesn't mean the loss of local accountability.
These early wins have allowed us to maintain our services without immediate cuts to Lakeland News, but the challenge remains. These grants are designed as "bridges"—temporary support to give us time to build a sustainable future.
By reaching our $2 million goal by 2028, we will move from a state of "stabilization" to a state of "sustainability." Your contribution today, combined with these major grants and the 900+ neighbors who have already joined us, ensures that the light of public media in the Northwoods does not flicker or fade.
Will you be the next member to help us bridge the gap?
Take a look at our 2025 Impact Statement to see how Lakeland PBS served our broadcast communities this past year.
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