The City Hears the Call as St. Louis Public Radio Raises Record $456,000 at Hear the Future Gala

Photos by Christina Flete Mach / Russell Jackson / Joan Berkman

With record-setting attendance, more than 400 supporters gathered at Energizer Park on May 1 for Hear the Future, St. Louis Public Radio’s annual celebration in support of independent local journalism, the city heard the call.

Native St. Louisan Bobby Carter and series producer of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, hosted the event. Attendees raised a record $456,000, proving that the St. Louis region believes in strong, independent, fact-based local journalism.

NPR Tiny Desk Host and Series Producer Bobby Carter with Abby Llorico

This support comes during what has been a defining year for public media, with challenges including the loss of federal funding. In response to those cuts, community members have stepped up to become members of STLPR, with over 28,000 supporters in total – another record for the station.

Everything Gala Fundraising Auctioneer & Ambassador Harrison Backer

Hear the Future 2026 included a cocktail reception and gourmet meal overlooking the soccer pitch, along with live and silent auctions, and remarks in support of STLPR’s public service mission from event chair and Friends of KWMU board member Kit Sundararaman, University of Missouri-St. Louis Chancellor Kristin Sobolik, and STLPR Interim General Manager Jess Luther.

Ashley Manzy, Kate Lucas, Aaron Krimbel, Debbie Krimbel, Elizabeth Roberts, Ryan Burr, Bob Krussel, and Friends of KWMU Secretary

Education Reporter Hiba Ahmad took the stage to share how STLPR journalists covered the May 16 tornado and continued to follow the story over the last year, reporting with the depth that only a local news organization can provide.

The evening ended with an on-stage conversation between Abby Llorico, morning newscaster and host of The Gateway podcast, and special guest Bobby Carter of NPR.

St. Louis Public Radio is a listener-supported service of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The event was generously supported by premier sponsors Spencer Fane and US Bancorp Impact Finance with additional support from Arch Grants, Excel Bottling, Paric, Twain Financial Partners, Gerritzen & Gerritzen, and Ken & Pat Schutte.

Hear the Future is an annual spring event with tickets available starting in February each year.

supporters of STlpr lit up the night at hear the future gala

STLPR staff Jonathan Ahl, Abby Llorico, Kate McKay, Will Bauer, Kavahn Mansouri, Brian Munoz, Hiba Ahmad, and Jessica Rogen

Friends of KWMU Board Member Eriko Clevenger Pope with Mina Charepoo and Andrea Hagemann

About STLPR

St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR) is a nonprofit media organization, delivering accuracy and understanding. Its team of local reporters and producers push the boundaries of storytelling, bringing context and humanity to the issues and ideas that affect life in the St. Louis metro region, Rolla, Quincy and rural areas in Missouri and Illinois. Reflecting the voices of the community, STLPR engages in crucial conversations that bring people together. With award-winning local news coverage, original podcasts, jazz and classical music channels, and national and international news from NPR and the BBC, STLPR is a listener-supported service of the University of Missouri-St. Louis.