Within the bustling life of your city stands your public media station, a lighthouse guiding the community through foggy information and entertainment to illuminate minds, educate audiences and foster the enlightened discourse that is the bedrock of American society. Yet lately we have seen, in a sea of fundraising challenges, even promising tides like Giving Tuesday have ebbed. Amidst this, on May 1st and 2nd,  Public Media Giving Days (PMGD) emerges as a focused beam of hope, a day dedicated to empowering the public media mission.

PMGD isn’t merely a fundraising event; it’s the day when the collective light of stations plus organizations such as CDP, PBS, NPR and Greater Public converges into a powerful spotlight, intensifying the reach of public media. This union enriches the community dialogue by sharing diverse narratives and fostering a well-informed public, reflecting the very essence of public media’s purpose.

The data reflects PMGD’s impact, with participating stations witnessing measurable growth in support. According to data from CDP, public media stations that participated in PMGD during May 2023 witnessed a dramatic increase in their May revenue—averaging nearly 6% increase year-over-year in membership revenue, with radio exceeding that with 6.6% growth for the month. This uptick not only demonstrates the effectiveness of PMGD but also underscores the growing recognition and support for public media. It’s furthermore a testament to the potency of a day centered on enriching and enlightening the public, a day that offers less noise and more substance.

Why should your station join PMGD? The reasons are as clear as the beacon’s light:

• Widespread Visibility: With stations across the country taking part, PMGD projects the mission of public media onto the national stage, inviting audiences from every demographic to engage.

• Community Engagement: It connects the dots between civil discourse and the community, fostering relationships built on shared knowledge and values.

• Amplified Resources: The collective backing of public media partners such as PBS, CDP, Greater Public and NPR ensures the message is not just broadcasted, but truly heard and felt.

PMGD represents the essence of public media's role in society. It's not just an event; it's a steadfast commitment to the enrichment and education of the public. By taking part in PMGD, stations do more than raise funds; they light the way for more gripping entertainment and reaffirm their roles as sources of civic engagement and vibrant social discourse.

Participating in PMGD is not just about funding your station; it's about investing in the collective power and promise of the entire public media network. When you join this nationwide movement, every dollar you raise carries a multiplied effect, echoing the adage that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. In this spirit, when stations come together, the value of each contribution is magnified, transforming the traditional fundraising math where 1+1=3. It's a collaborative amplification where your support reaches beyond local boundaries, reinforcing a national tapestry of informed communities and enriching the very foundation of public media.

Each public media station—including yours—has a story that echoes this enduring power of knowledge and community. PMGD is the catalyst that can help encourage a brighter future for public media, ensuring that the light of information and education never dims.

Remember: PMGD is a collective effort, and CDP is here to help! Contact us to learn more about how we can support your campaign efforts through texting and digital advertising. And visit publicmediagivingdays.org to stay updated! Be sure to sign up on the assets page to see what we have to offer and be notified when they are posted.