PBS Reno Receives Significant Gift from Local Philanthropists
Drs. Koch and McFarren encourage every PBS Reno viewer to financially support PBS Reno
RENO, NV (OCT 1, 2025) – PBS Reno is grateful to receive a generous gift from Dr. Sandra Koch and Dr. Tim McFarren of Carson City, NV.
As of today, October 1, 2025, PBS Reno no longer receives federal funding to support its operations. The Rescissions Act of 2025 approved by Congress in July pulled back $1.1 billion in federal funding that was to be distributed by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. This resulted in a loss of over $1.3 million, or 17% of PBS Reno’s operating budget.
“When we heard the news that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting was going to lose its funding, it sent a shockwave through us,” said Drs. Koch and McFarren. “We really wanted to do something to help keep our local station on air and we decided that creating an endowment was the best thing we could do. We see how our independent public television station strengthens our community by providing access to unbiased local and national news. We so enjoy PBS News Hour, the insightful documentaries, Wild Nevada, and many other programs only found on PBS Reno.”
This endowment will be used toward general fund purposes, including increasing membership to PBS Reno. Drs. Koch and McFarren encourage every resident and PBS Reno viewer to do their part and financially support PBS Reno in any amount.
“This gift reflects the heart of public television—neighbors supporting neighbors to keep something vital thriving in our community,” said Emma Glenn, PBS Reno Vice President of Development. “Because of Drs. Koch and McFarren’s vision, PBS Reno is stronger as we navigate this new landscape. Their endowment sets a powerful example of how each of us can play a role in sustaining trusted programs, local storytelling, and educational opportunities for years to come.”
PBS Reno remains fiercely committed to providing national programming, local award-earning productions including Wild Nevada and ARTEFFECTS, and to delivering thousands of Curiosity Classrooms to local students in nine school districts in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California.
“This incredible gift is an example of what support of public television is all about—people taking action and giving generously to ensure the future of PBS Reno,” said Kurt Mische, PBS Reno President & CEO. “We cannot thank Drs. Koch and McFarren enough for this donation. All of us working together will keep PBS Reno strong and viable in the days ahead.”
About PBS Reno
As of November 2024, PBS Reno is enjoyed by more than 540,000 monthly viewers in northern and central Nevada and northeastern California across several platforms including three broadcast channels (PBS Reno 5.1, Reno Create 5.2, and PBS KIDS on PBS Reno 5.3), a YouTube channel, YouTube TV, online, livestreams, and digital platforms. PBS Reno provides PBS national programming and award-earning, locally-produced content, with many local segments posted weekly to PBS Reno’s YouTube Channel. PBSReno.org provides engaging interactive content, including the video portal at watch.PBSReno.org that streams all locally-produced content and most PBS national content. PBS Reno serves students, teachers, parents and caregivers through immersive educational services including Curiosity Classroom Workshops that bring classroom lessons to life with standards-based lessons and activities. Through the support of local corporations and foundations, as well as thousands of individual members, PBS Reno has been delivering public television and educational services to the communities it serves since September 29, 1983.
Contact us:
Membership Questions: membership@pbsreno.org
Programming Hotline: programming@pbsreno.org
Phone: 775.600.0555
Address: 1670 N. Virginia St. • Reno NV 89503