With Federal Funding Gone, WXXI Undergoing Reinvention
WXXI Public Media is entering a new phase after losing 1.9 million dollars in federal support. The organization is refocusing its mission toward local content, creative partnerships, and diversified revenue sources.
A Shift Toward Sustainability
According to president and CEO Chris Hastings, the nonprofit must return to its foundational values to adapt to both funding challenges and evolving audience behavior. The federal allocation, which used to make up about 15 percent of the organization’s budget, ended in July following changes introduced by the Trump administration. While community donations remain crucial, Hastings acknowledges that they alone cannot fill the gap.
“I feel pretty confident that this is an opportunity for us to reinvent ourselves and serve in new ways that are more sustainable without federal funding for the moment,” Hastings said.
Reimagining WXXI’s Role in Rochester
Hastings views the funding challenge as a chance to strengthen WXXI’s role as a creative force in Rochester’s local economy. He plans to expand production services for local creators, aiming to generate new income and expand community engagement.
“When we think about what WXXI is to Rochester, I look at who we are — the hub of the creative economy of Rochester,” Hastings said.
Building on a Six-Decade Legacy
Reflecting on the organization’s history, Hastings noted that content creation has always been central to WXXI’s identity. The organization intends to build on that tradition as it transitions into a more self-sustaining future.
“When I look at everything we’ve done in the past 60 years, we’ve always been a bit of a production studio; we’ve always produced content,” he said. “People know us for the stations but they also know us for the productions.”
Author’s summary: WXXI turns a federal funding setback into a catalyst for reinvention, renewing its creative focus to sustain local storytelling and community partnerships.