St. Louis Public Radio raises record $456,000 at Hear the Future

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, with special guest and native St. Louisan Bobby Carter, host and series producer of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts. Attendees raised a record $456,000, proving that the St. Louis region believes in strong, independent, fact-based local journalism.

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.

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.

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.

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.