Our mission is to produce high-quality journalism and enriching experiences that foster understanding, connection and community for an expanding circle of people.
Our vision is to become a daily habit for every person
in Boston and beyond who seeks to engage with the most consequential issues of our times.
A letter from our CEO
2025 was an epic year. The pace of news was dizzying as President Trump returned to the White House and began to reshape the country. Wildfires ravaged Los Angeles. Flash floods devastated Central Texas. The war in Ukraine ground on, while a fragile cease-fire took hold in Gaza. We endured a 43-day government shutdown. Federal troops were deployed in cities across the country. And we all experienced the march of AI into every dimension of our lives.
We also had the unique challenge last year of reporting on what was happening to us. The First Amendment was under attack on multiple fronts, independent journalism was in the crosshairs and public media was a prime target. Last summer, Congress eliminated all our federal funding.
Despite the countless challenges, WBUR was here for you. Here to explain. Here to search out the facts, shed new light and help you understand what was unfolding in our city, our country and our world. Simply put, we were here to tell the truth and tell it well.
At WBUR, we believe in the power of journalism and storytelling to foster understanding, connection and community. Despite the complexity of the moment, I’m buoyed every day by people who say, “I don’t know what I would do without WBUR.”
While WBUR gave Greater Boston an anchor in 2025, we also set sail. We expanded our ambition, grew our audience and welcomed our community — as well as some of the world’s most admired and celebrated figures — to the first-ever WBUR Festival. It was a blast!
In the same year we marked our 75th birthday, we successfully positioned ourselves to navigate the future. Against all odds. And so, as we take on a new year, I’m optimistic. Galvanized by the fact that in 2025 so many people made it clear that we make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Thousands of you stepped up to support WBUR for the first time. Thousands more of you increased your support. The outpouring took our breath away. Thank you for affirming your trust in us — we will never take it for granted.
Our Annual Report showcases the many ways we served our community in 2025 and worked to fortify our special bond with you. I hope, as you read these pages, you absorb the magnitude of our commitment to making Boston a better place to call home. I also hope, as we look ahead in 2026, you feel the same sense of promise and possibility that I do.
With appreciation,
Margaret Low
Chief Executive Officer
HOW WBUR COVERED EPIC SHIFTS IN OUR COUNTRY AND REGION
In 2025, WBUR journalists captured sweeping changes in federal policy and the profound consequences for Boston and the region. The imprint of a second Trump administration was evident across the Commonwealth and across sectors. The institutions of higher education that drive the region’s economy were at the center of a political storm. Offshore wind projects that have been central to the state’s climate and energy plans came under threat. Local businesses reckoned with new tariffs, while patients and health care providers braced for Medicaid cuts. Immigration enforcement shook communities and brought Boston’s mayor into the national spotlight.
With your support, our journalists met the moment.
• We were the first to uncover troubling conditions at an ICE facility in Burlington that sparked concern from the Massachusetts congressional delegation.
• We were also the first to report the arrest of a relative of White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt by immigration authorities in Revere.
• Our analysis of federal data scrutinized whether ICE detainees posed a serious threat to their Massachusetts communities.
• We highlighted the disruption to critical medical research from federal funding cuts to universities.
• We captured efforts by pediatricians to manage growing distrust in vaccines.
• We illustrated the small-town consequences of a global trade war along the Vermont-Canada border.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, joined by community members and elected officials, criticizes the Department of Justice during a press conference at City Hall Plaza last August. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, joined by community members and elected officials, criticizes the Department of Justice during a press conference at City Hall Plaza last August. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Empty egg shelves at the Star Market in Somerville. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Empty egg shelves at the Star Market in Somerville. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
Offshore wind turbines at the Vineyard Wind site. (Miriam Wasser/WBUR)
Offshore wind turbines at the Vineyard Wind site. (Miriam Wasser/WBUR)
Our reporting on the Trump administration’s impact across New England showcased the breadth of our journalism and the depth of our commitment to covering the region. Those same principles guided our work as we illuminated the important stories closer to home.
We provided insight into the issues driving Boston politics in an election year. That included diving deep into the things that matter most to voters and vivid reporting on city council candidates. We reported on major election results in surrounding cities, like the surprising defeat of Everett’s long-time mayor. In Quincy, we covered several controversies swirling around Mayor Thomas Koch, including a proposed 79% pay raise. And we set the groundwork for the 2026 elections with a series of conversations with Republican candidates for governor.
Our journalism exposes hidden truths.
• In August, public records obtained by WBUR revealed how Boston’s police chief routinely ignored disciplinary recommendations from a department oversight board. The coverage prompted a letter from that board to the chief demanding a “greater deal of respect, consideration, and attention.”
• In September, a WBUR investigation of the notably restrictive statute of limitations for rape cases in Massachusetts provided hard truths about how the state fails many survivors. Following our story, Governor Healey filed legislation to eliminate the deadline.
• And in December, we examined the life-altering effects of gambling addiction on a growing number of young men in the region since the legalization of online sports betting.
Our two national shows, heard by millions of people across the country, similarly grappled with complex and often overlooked challenges. Case in point: Here & Now’s six-part series, Undercounted, which examined the hidden deaths in jails across America. Or On Point’s Falling Behind — a series exploring the academic struggles of American boys and young men.
While revealing vexing problems is essential to our journalism, we also have an obligation to consider solutions.
• We looked to Italy for different approaches to addiction treatment.
• We looked to eelgrass to understand and address the challenges facing the region’s fishing industry amid warming waters.
• And we looked everywhere from farmlands to dumpsters as Here & Now’s Reverse Course series helped our audience understand how we can all combat climate change.
It’s clear our approach has resonated. Here & Now has cemented its place as the nation’s largest midday public radio program — now carried on more than 500 stations and reaching nearly 5 million listeners each week. And On Point is now carried by nearly 350 stations, an increase of more than 40% from 2020.
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF PUBLIC MEDIA AND INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM
WBUR has a proud history of discovering and developing top journalistic talent, and we’re committed to carrying that legacy far into the future. In 2025, we welcomed six young journalists into our fellowship program. These new colleagues not only bolstered our coverage, they also accelerated their own careers. It’s affirming to see that despite the challenges to independent journalism, young people are still flocking to these opportunities and to WBUR. These are coveted roles — we received more than 150 applications for our 2026 fellowship.
The 2025 cohort was our largest yet and included a new year-long, full-time fellowship for climate and environmental reporting. This reflects a considerable investment in the future of public media and independent journalism by WBUR and our donors.
We also expanded opportunities for emerging journalists through a partnership with the newly launched Boston University Newsroom. The WBUR newsroom was home to dozens of BU student journalists reporting stories for publications across the Commonwealth. Over two semesters, that included four students who worked directly with WBUR.
HOW WBUR BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER
As faith in the media declines, polls have shown that public media still retains a high rate of trust. While our job is to report the news as it unfolds — to tell the truth and to tell it well — part of what distinguishes us is the intimacy of audio. The immediacy and the empathy. The power of the human voice.
WBUR doesn’t divide people. Our journalism and events bring them together — culturally, intellectually and physically.
We are a gathering space for Greater Boston all year round.
WBUR CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center welcomes thousands of people every year. In 2025, our state-of-the-art events venue featured newsmakers like former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, authors including New York Times bestseller Kate Baer and artists such as Broadway legend Liz Callaway.
We hosted concerts, game nights, flower arranging and cookie making workshops, book talks, film screenings and family-friendly events like The Mega Awesome Super Huge Wicked Fun Podcast Playdate. The annual two-day gathering for kids featuring WBUR’s hit show Circle Round is one of our most popular offerings.
We highlight the culture that enriches Greater Boston.
• Our newsroom covered the ascent of Boston’s restaurant scene as the city scored its first-ever Michelin recommendations in 2025.
• We elevated local artists of color through our annual series The Makers.
• We explored our pop culture history by voyaging to the Vineyard for our short-run podcast series Jaws Island, marking the 50th anniversary of the summer blockbuster.
We remind people of our shared humanity.
• In 2025, On Point featured probing discussions about countless topics beyond the daily news cycle, from the power of gratitude to the role of the dictionary in modern linguistics to the secrets of aging healthily.
• Cognoscenti gave voice to a vast array of experiences and perspectives, including essays about the joy of a father taking piano lessons with his young son and how the late pro wrestler Hulk Hogan helped one writer bond with her grandmother.
• The Endless Thread podcast examined digital culture, typified by our collaboration with 99% Invisible to reveal the influence of video games on everyday life in the real world.
As faith in the media declines, polls have shown that public media still retains a high rate of trust. While our job is to report the news as it unfolds — to tell the truth and to tell it well — part of what distinguishes us is the intimacy of audio. The immediacy and the empathy. The power of the human voice.
WBUR doesn’t divide people. Our journalism and events bring them together — culturally, intellectually and physically.
We are a gathering space for Greater Boston all year round.
WBUR CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center welcomes thousands of people every year. In 2025, our state-of-the-art events venue featured newsmakers like former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, authors including New York Times bestseller Kate Baer and artists such as Broadway legend Liz Callaway.
We hosted concerts, game nights, flower arranging and cookie making workshops, book talks, film screenings and family-friendly events like The Mega Awesome Super Huge Wicked Fun Podcast Playdate. The annual two-day gathering for kids featuring WBUR’s hit show Circle Round is one of our most popular offerings.
We highlight the culture that enriches Greater Boston.
• Our newsroom covered the ascent of Boston’s restaurant scene as the city scored its first-ever Michelin recommendations in 2025.
• We elevated local artists of color through our annual series The Makers.
• We explored our pop culture history by voyaging to the Vineyard for our short-run podcast series Jaws Island, marking the 50th anniversary of the summer blockbuster.
We remind people of our shared humanity.
• In 2025, On Point featured probing discussions about countless topics beyond the daily news cycle, from the power of gratitude to the role of the dictionary in modern linguistics to the secrets of aging healthily.
• Cognoscenti gave voice to a vast array of experiences and perspectives, including essays about the joy of a father taking piano lessons with his young son and how the late pro wrestler Hulk Hogan helped one writer bond with her grandmother.
• The Endless Thread podcast examined digital culture, typified by our collaboration with 99% Invisible to reveal the influence of video games on everyday life in the real world.
Audiences enjoying The WBUR Festival last May. (Bolt Creative Group for WBUR)
Audiences enjoying The WBUR Festival last May. (Bolt Creative Group for WBUR)
Last May, we celebrated our 75th birthday by throwing a big bash for the city we love. The WBUR Festival was a first for us — an extraordinary convening for our community that brought together some of the brightest minds from Boston and beyond.
The festival featured 200 fascinating speakers, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, The Atlantic’s Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, cookbook author Ina Garten, journalist Kara Swisher, New York Times bestselling author Roxane Gay, chef Eric Ripert and On Point host Meghna Chakrabarti. Beyond these captivating conversations, we hosted a vibrant street fair, a packed KidStage and a live recording of Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me! Thousands of attendees turned out to experience everything they love about WBUR. As This American Life host Ira Glass put it, “Events like this are the future of public radio.”
Through ticket sales, sponsorships and the support of one generous donor, the festival was profitable and generated additional funding to fuel WBUR’s journalism.
The WBUR Festival was such a hit, we’re doing it again. It will return on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, 2026. You can get tickets now at festival.wbur.org. We’d love to see you there.
HOW WBUR PREPARED FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Over the last several years, WBUR invested in the technology and talent to support a sophisticated fundraising program. This allowed us to add more than 11,000 new Members in 2025 — and to finish the fiscal year that ended in July with a surplus rather than a budgeted deficit.
Congress’ decision to cut all federal funding for public media presents new challenges, leaving a gap of at least $1.6 million in our annual budget — this year and every year to come. While the loss of federal dollars exacerbates the economic challenges we face, we believe our fundraising investments and audience support put us in a strong position to overcome them.
We’ve evolved to meet our financial needs and expand our value to our community.
• In 2025, our planned giving program blew past our goal of securing 75 legacy gift commitments to mark our 75th anniversary, with more than 100 new donors.
• WBUR’s endowment, which totaled $12.8 million at the start of last fiscal year, grew to $13.8 million through careful management by Boston University and our comprehensive campaign.
• CitySpace Productions continued to expand as we capitalized on our audio production expertise to help other organizations develop their own award-winning podcasts.
• We opened new lines of revenue, highlighted by our Corporate Membership program to deepen our relationship with Boston’s business community.
WBUR is more ambitious than ever. That much is evident from our journalism, but it’s true across the organization, from new partnership opportunities for sponsors to improved fundraising capabilities. And in a challenging media environment, audience support is essential. It now makes up nearly 60% of our annual revenue. We are asking more of you so we can do more for you — and for audiences everywhere.
*Other includes: CitySpace tickets and rentals, syndication and additional contracts.
WBUR's fiscal year runs from July through June. This chart summarizes the financial picture from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
RECOGNITION FOR WBUR
WBUR was honored to receive a multitude of awards in 2025.
This story by Amelia Mason won both National and Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for “Excellence in Sound.”
This special episode of On Point won a National Edward R. Murrow Award for “News Documentary.”
Airing a month before the 2024 presidential election, this episode of On Point won a Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media for “Public Affairs.”
This episode of On Point won a Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media for “News Feature.”
This story by Andrea Shea won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for “Feature Reporting.”
This three-part series from Simón Rios won a Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for “Public Service in Radio Journalism” and a Public Media Journalists Association Award for “Series.”
This coverage from Barbara Moran won a Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for “Science, Environmental and Climate Reporting.”
This story by Miriam Wasser won a Journalism Award from Covering Climate Now for reporting on disinformation.
Hosted by Amory Sivertson, this 10-part podcast series won a National Headliner Award from the Press Club of Atlantic City for “Digital Criminal Justice/Crime Podcast” and an Ambie Award for “Best True Crime Podcast.”
This five-part series built on Here & Now co-host Scott Tong’s travels to Pike County, Ky., won a National Headliner Award from the Press Club of Atlantic City for “Feature and Human Interest or Documentary.”
For the third year in a row, WBUR won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for “Overall Excellence.”
For the third year in a row, WBUR won a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for “Overall Excellence.”
Margaret was awarded a 2025 Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Pinnacle Award for “Lifetime Achievement.”
Our five-part podcast series hosted by Ally Jarmanning won both National and Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards for “Podcast,” a National Headliner Award from the Press Club of Atlantic City for “Digital Narrative Podcast Focused on a Single Incident, Person, or Time,” and two Public Media Journalists Association Awards for “Enterprise” and “Multimedia.”
Built with Shorthand