North Country Public Radio plans to raise $500,000 during its annual fall fundraiser to sustain and expand its news, music and cultural programming as the station relies entirely on community donations following the loss of federal funding.

The fundraiser launches next week as NCPR continues to serve the region with local reporting, music programs and live events.

For nearly 60 years, NCPR has provided news and entertainment to the North Country with a small staff and support from the community. The station has built a reputation for quality, innovation and service, and community contributions have become even more important since federal funding was rescinded 18 months ago.

The $500,000 goal will help pay staff salaries, national programming licenses and other operating costs while supporting plans to expand the station’s offerings.

While other public media outlets have been forced to scale back, NCPR has added music programs and news features and expanded its reporting staff to include an arts and culture reporter, a St. Lawrence Valley reporter and a Southern Adirondacks reporter. The station also plans to add more music shows in the coming months.

“It takes a lot of work behind-the-scenes before the North Country ever hears a story on the radio,” said station manager Mitch Teich. “From the reporters to our digital specialists to the development team, we have a truly special and committed group of people. And fundraisers like this are designed to give them the resources they need to do the best work for our audience. Without federal support to help, contributions from our community do all the heavy lifting.”

Producing local news and entertainment for communities across the North Country requires significant financial resources amid rising costs and inflation. Donations support reporting in underserved areas, travel, research and fact-checking, as well as arts coverage, podcasts and music programming.

Community contributions also help maintain the station’s 34 transmitters and translators, which carry its programming across the region.

NCPR is asking supporters to increase their annual donations and consider becoming monthly sustainers through automatically recurring contributions. The station says dependable community support is essential to maintaining existing services and expanding coverage.

“NCPR supporters have shown again and again how much this station means to our region, and we’re deeply grateful for their generosity,” said development director Lizette Haenel. “By making a donation to NCPR and becoming a monthly or annual sustainer, you give NCPR the dependable support needed to keep doing what it takes to expand coverage and bring more local reporting and interesting music to everyone who relies on the station. NCPR belongs to our community, and together we can secure the station’s future for another year.”

NCPR offers thank-you gifts to donors, including hats, ballcaps and mugs. Contributions can be made through the station’s app or at NCPR.org.