WQPT Launches New Community Fundraising Campaign
WQPT PBS is launching the Keep WQPT Strong: Community Focus-Community Funded Campaign, an initiative focused on building a strong and sustainable future for public television throughout the Quad Cities region.
The campaign will welcome new members, encourage current members to increase their ongoing support, and inspire the community to invest in the trusted educational and essential programming WQPT provides every day, according to a station release Wednesday.
WQPT (which started in 1983) serves a potential viewing audience of approximately 824,000 people, providing free access to trusted programming regardless of income or ZIP code. For 43 years, WQPT has been more than a television station; it has been a community partner, supporting education, lifelong learning, culture and connection throughout the region.
Today, WQPT is fully community funded and needs to raise approximately $1.3 million per year to support its operations and continue providing free public media to the region. Community support comes through memberships, monthly giving, corporate sponsorships, underwriting and local foundation support.
Effective Oct. 1, 2025, the federal government cut the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provided $535 million a year to public TV and radio nationwide, of which more than 70% was given to local broadcasters through grants.
In 2024-25, WQPT received $846,207 from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, accounting for 54% of its annual budget.
“We are incredibly grateful for the way our community has supported WQPT,” Dawn Schmitt, WQPT general manager, said Wednesday. “When federal funding was eliminated last year, our community stepped forward. Because of the financial stability WQPT had built and the generosity of our viewers, members and supporters, we were able to successfully balance last year’s budget. Now, we are looking ahead and asking our community to help us build an even stronger future for WQPT.”
That community support is already making an impact. WQPT currently has its highest membership in station history, with approximately 4,200 members, and membership revenue has reached a record $760,000. The “Keep WQPT Strong” campaign will focus on continuing that momentum by welcoming new members and encouraging more supporters to become monthly donors.
“Our community has shown us that WQPT matters,” said Amanda Bergeson, the station director of development. “This campaign is about building on that incredible momentum. Monthly members provide WQPT with dependable support that allows us to plan for the future and continue serving our community.”
Community support helps WQPT provide trusted PBS programming over the air and through streaming platforms, including the PBS App and YouTube. WQPT also provides access to educational, environmental, cultural and news programming that reflects the interests and diversity of the region.
WQPT’s community impact extends beyond the screen. Educational initiatives include First Book, which places thousands of free books into the hands of children throughout the region, PBS KIDS resources for classrooms and families, library partnerships, educational outreach and the annual Multilingual Education Conference for educators.
“We are committed to being here in the Quad Cities region for the next 43 years and beyond,” Schmitt said. “With the continued support of our community, we can keep providing free, trusted and essential programming and educational resources to the families, children and communities we serve.”
To become a WQPT member, start a monthly gift or learn more about the Keep WQPT Strong Community Focus -Community Funded Campaign, visit wqpt.org or call 309-764-2400.
