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NHPR Faces Deepening Financial Crisis After Loss of Federal Funding and Mounting Deficits
- Chris Thompson
- Jul 21
- 3 min read
CONCORD, N.H. — New Hampshire Public Radio is entering a period of heightened financial uncertainty after Congress voted Thursday to eliminate all funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a source of nearly half a million dollars in support for the station last year.
The cut, approved July 17 as part of a spending recission, eliminates a key source of operating revenue. In fiscal year 2024, NHPR received $499,093 from the CPB. That funding will no longer be available going forward.
The loss comes as NHPR continues to operate with structural deficits and shrinking reserves. The station ran a $1,319,436 operating deficit in fiscal year 2024—its third consecutive shortfall—and closed the year with only $689,054 in liquid assets available for general use, down from $2.3 million the year before. It also reported $1.93 million in outstanding liabilities, including debt and lease obligations.
The organization also faced pressure on the debt side in FY2024. Audited financials show that NHPR failed to meet a covenant tied to its mortgage with the Bank of New Hampshire and required a waiver to remain in good standing. The station reported $827,109 in long-term debt at year-end.
To sustain operations, NHPR drew down more than $1 million in net assets and saw its cash on hand fall to $373,516, a 75% decline from the previous year.
Expenses Rise, While Donor Base Stalls
Personnel remained NHPR’s largest cost category. Salaries, benefits, and contractor payments totaled more than $7.4 million, about 70% of total expenses. Overall, the station spent $10.5 million in FY2024 while bringing in $9.2 million in total revenue.
Despite annual pledge drives and increased fundraising efforts, donor support showed little growth. Sustaining membership declined slightly year-over-year, and one-time donor totals remained flat.
Fiscal Year | Sustaining Members | One-Time Donors |
2022 | 14,593 | 8,494 |
2023 | 14,931 | 8,162 |
2024 | 14,832 | 8,491 |
Total public support declined by $73,886 in FY2024.
Board Alignment Shows Overwhelming Democratic Participation
A review of state records shows that NHPR’s board and public committee members are overwhelmingly aligned with the Democratic Party. Of 34 known members, at least 25 have participated in recent Democratic primaries or are registered Democrats. Most of the remaining members are undeclared voters with mixed or minimal participation records. Only two individuals are registered Republicans.
NHPR does not publish partisan affiliations in its governance disclosures, and political orientation is not listed as a factor in board appointments. However, the station’s ideological consistency—combined with its public funding streams—has prompted concern among some lawmakers and policy observers who believe media nonprofits should reflect a greater diversity of viewpoint.
For comparison, when looking at the entire state of New Hampshire, 33% of all voters are registered Republican and 28% are registered Democrat. NHPR's board is comprised of 6% registered Republicans, both of whom have only voted in one election in New Hampshire.
Charitable Gaming Dollars Raise Questions
While NHPR has now lost federal funding, it continues to receive public dollars through New Hampshire’s charitable gaming law, which allows qualifying nonprofits to share in the proceeds of state-regulated gaming operations. In FY2024, NHPR received $103,367.45 from charitable gaming revenue.
That funding remains relatively modest compared to the federal support just lost, but it has drawn increased scrutiny because it represents a form of state-enabled public subsidy.
The charitable gaming program is overseen by the New Hampshire Lottery Commission and was designed to support a wide range of nonprofit services. As NHPR’s fiscal outlook tightens, its continued participation in this program may attract renewed attention—particularly in light of the political makeup of the station’s leadership.
No Announced Changes
NHPR has not announced any changes to operations, staffing, or programming in response to the elimination of CPB funding. The station continues to publish news and broadcast daily from its Concord headquarters.
Founded in 1981, NHPR is the state’s largest public radio outlet and a regional affiliate of NPR. Its programming includes state government reporting, local news, and national content.
With federal support now eliminated and no major donor growth to offset the shortfall, the station faces a narrowing financial path heading into the next fiscal year. NHPR did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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