How a Big Gift Is Transforming Public Radio

National Public Radio has undergone a complete overhaul of its image and identity following a landmark $230-million gift in 2003 that is helping to make the organization a heavyweight in mainstream journalism, reports The New York Times.

With its endowment bolstered by the donation from Joan B. Kroc, the widow of Ray A. Kroc, who built the McDonald’s fast-food empire, National Public Rado began attracting journalists from major newspapers. The network’s revenue has increased from $74-million in 1998 to $140-million this year, with money flowing from endowment interest on the Kroc gift and other sources.

Concerns remain for the network’s member stations, however—among them the possibility that listeners are no longer as motivated to contribute to pledge drives because they think Ms. Kroc’s gift will cover all of NPR’s needs.

See The Chronicle’s article on Mrs. Kroc’s gift.