NPR Receives $113 Million in Private Donations

National Public Radio announced Thursday that it has received $113 million in private donations, the largest such gifts in its history since 2003, as the network and its member stations adapt to the elimination of federal funding last summer.

The contributions include $80 million from philanthropist Connie Ballmer, wife of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and a past member of the NPR Foundation board. Her gift will support a technological overhaul to expand NPR's reach across digital platforms, including apps, podcasts and videos. An anonymous donor provided the remaining $33 million to develop shared tools for audience analysis, marketing and fundraising, which NPR plans to make available to its more than 240 member stations nationwide.

"I support NPR because an informed public is the bedrock of our society, and democracy requires strong, independent journalism," Ballmer said in a statement. "My hope is that this commitment provides the stability and the spark NPR needs to innovate boldly and strengthen its national network."

NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher described the donations as catalytic investments that will help the organization evolve without replacing lost...