HBCU Radio Project Receives $750K Ford Foundation Grant
| RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | 2:44pm CT |
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 HBCU Radio Project |
The HBCU Radio Preservation Project (HBCU RPP) has received $750,000 from the Ford Foundation to support radio stations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The funding has been distributed over the past year to help 14 stations maintain operations, address financial challenges and strengthen their long-term sustainability.
The foundation's support enabled HBCU RPP to provide unrestricted funding through a non-competitive, formula-based grant process, allowing participating stations to direct resources toward their most pressing needs.
Grant recipients have used the funding to stabilize operations, maintain essential staffing, sustain and expand programming, and upgrade broadcast and digital infrastructure. The money has also helped cover carrier fees, address budget shortfalls resulting from the loss of Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) funding, and support community engagement initiatives.
The 14 stations receiving grants are WNSB (Norfolk State University), KTSU (Texas Southern University), WCLK (Clark Atlanta University), WURC (Rust College), WESM (University of Maryland Eastern Shore), WPRL (Alcorn State University), WJSU (Jackson State University), WEAA (Morgan State University), WNCU (North Carolina Central University), KJLU (Lincoln University), WRVS (Elizabeth City State University), WSSB (South Carolina State University), WJAB (Alabama A&M University) and WVAS (Alabama State University).
A portion of the grant will also provide travel stipends for station personnel attending the 2026 HBCU Radio Preservation Project Symposium, scheduled for November in Baltimore, MD.
"We are grateful to the Ford Foundation for recognizing the critical needs and importance of supporting HBCU radio stations," said HBCU RPP Director Jocelyn Robinson. "While the funds have been used to meet present day needs, they are also helping secure longevity and support the continued relevance of these stations to their communities."
