INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC RADIO
INTERLOCHEN PUBLIC RADIO
Dick Cooper and Jan Tennant Step Up IPR Giving
Local News Coverage Expands
RECENT AWARD-WINNING REPORTING FROM IPR
Longtime IPR listener Dick Cooper knows well the symbiotic relationship between a public radio station and its listeners. Each helps sustain and connect the other. Dick and his wife Jan Tennant proudly sponsored years of fundraising drive match challenges, knowing that a small station like IPR thrives most when more people join in support. Those experiences encouraged Dick and Jan to think bigger for new ways to involve IPR’s community. After Jan passed away in August 2024, Dick continued with their plans for a major gift to IPR. He used a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) from their investment retirement account (IRA) to give to two funds central to our Amplify IPR priorities: the IPR Endowment and the IPR Innovation Fund. Dick used the challenge model to inspire others to join him. He met with success when other donors responded and made their gifts to support the IPR Endowment. Their generosity will benefit the IPR community for generations— an ongoing gift to the station they have loved for decades and to the region that IPR helps connect to the world.
In June, IPR News announced several enhancements and new programs that strengthen northern Michigan’s connection to the world and the world’s to northern Michigan. The redoubling of focus on local news starts each day via expanded local newscasts within the flagship national show Morning Edition , with stories on everything from local government
EDWARD R. MURROW AWARDS In 2025, IPR News stories won three regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, issued by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). That’s the most of any public radio station in Michigan. • Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Points North : “A New Hope for Anishinaabemowin” by Dan Wanschura • Excellence in Sound: “Steam is King at the Buckley Old Engine Show” by Izzy Ross
to our region’s changing environment and agriculture. On the biweekly summertime segment Grow & Tell , a member of Interlochen’s sustainability team offers tips and how-tos on gardening, tailored for northern Michigan climate and soils. New airings of Traverse City’s National Writers Series event recordings and Michigan Public’s Stateside invite listeners into conversations happening both here and around the world, as does Native America Calling , a national call-in show on issues specific to Indigenous communities. There’s new music, too, with evening and weekend airings of beloved NPR shows like World Cafe, Mountain Stage , and Tiny Desk Concert s— and Michigan-focused Local Spins , which puts the spotlight on Michigan music, musicians, and performers.
• Podcast: Points North : “Copper Country’s Conundrum” by Ellie Katz
“Offering a challenge gift to the IPR endowment was about more than giving—it was about encouraging others to join in sustaining this vital resource and helping to bring more attention and funding to the station. Public media has never been more important, serving as a trusted voice and connector
PUBLIC MEDIA JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (PMJA) AWARDS
for our community. Supporting IPR with a major gift ensures its independence and excellence for the future, and I’m proud to help carry that mission forward.” — Dick Cooper
• 1st Place, Arts Feature: Points North : “A New Hope for Anishinaabemowin” by Dan Wanschura • 2nd Place, Human Interest Feature: “At Sleeping Bear Dunes, Volunteers Get to the Core of Unnamed Apples” by Ellie Katz
Bette and Benson Munger's Major Gift Supports IPR Today and Tomorrow
IPR BY THE NUMBERS
Devoted listeners and Traverse City residents Bette and Dr. Benson Munger responded with early enthusiasm to our Amplify IPR goals for Vision 2028. After years of leadership support for the station, the Mungers pledged a generous major gift to benefit the station both immediately and for decades to come. The Mungers know that achieving the goals of Amplify IPR will require broad investments over multiple timescales—both for today and tomorrow—which is why they split their gift between station operating funds, via the IPR Annual Fund, and its programming development and new initiative budget through the IPR Innovation Fund. Ben and Bette also split their gift over multiple years of donations, allowing them a more financially accessible and approachable way of making a major gift. It’s one of countless ways listeners can invest in the station upon which they rely.
40 VOLUNTEERS COVERED PHONES FOR A CUMULATIVE 486 HOURS OVER 3 IPR FUNDRAISING DRIVES
POINTS NORTH FAN CLUB
Launched in January 2025, this group brings together fans of IPR News’ flagship northern Michigan storytelling podcast to connect with and support the show they love. In just five months, the fan club membership reached 113 members, 79 of whom made their first gifts to IPR.
4,352 SUPPORTERS MADE GIFTS TOTALING $1,992,717
1,869 SUSTAINERS (ACTIVE MONTHLY DONORS) GAVE $452,000 ANNUALLY, WHICH WAS OF FUNDS GIVEN BY INDIVIDUALS TO IPR 31%
For more details and to join the club, visit interlochenpublicradio.org .
NEW SUSTAINERS IN FY 378 2025
“We’re proud to support Interlochen Public Radio through the Annual Fund and Innovation Fund because we believe in the power of independent journalism, fact-based reporting, and a strong local voice. IPR keeps us connected to our community, inspired by the arts, and informed about the world around us. In a time when trustworthy media is more important than ever, we’re investing in a future where truth and storytelling still matter. We hope you’ll join us in supporting public broadcasting that reflects—and strengthens—the place we call home.” — Ben and Bette Munger
WE WELCOMED
31 PEOPLE DONATED A VEHICLE TO IPR, CONTRIBUTING A TOTAL OF $50,229 TO ITS OPERATING FUND
WWW.INTERLOCHEN.ORG
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2025 ANNUAL REPORT OF GIFTS
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