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2017 COMMUNITY

SERVICE REPORT

22017 Community Service Report

Dear Friends,

It is my pleasure to present the 2017 Community Service Report, highlighting KPBS’ projects, accomplishments, and programs which made an impact on audiences this past year. More than 1.2 million people watch, listen, click, or stream our content every week. They are preschool educators, teachers, leaders in science, technology, and the arts, business professionals, and families who simply want accurate news of importance. KPBS is all about connecting people with ideas, stories, and services that meet their needs for information and enrichment.

In January 2017, KPBS added three new TV channels, supporting our audience with even more exceptional programs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Throughout 2017, KPBS Radio provided local, national, and international news from NPR, the BBC, and American Public Media. Our team of local journalists reported on all areas of San Diego life – from politics to the arts and everything in between.

KPBS was proud to engage audiences through outreach events. Now in its 11th year, One Book, One San Diego promotes

community reading and discussion. The GI Film Festival San Diego showcases the stories of America’s troops and veterans. Community Heroes celebrates local people who are leading positive change.

More than 57,000 local families and individuals invest in our mission. Their support provides us with the resources needed to be a free and independent news outlet, to provide exceptional educational resources for everyone, and to create opportunities for community enrichment and dialogue. Many of these activities are highlighted in this report.

Thank you for taking the time to learn more about how KPBS makes a positive impact on this community.

Tom Karlo, General Manager


KPBS RADIOKPBS Radio offers local, national, and international news that is relevant, accurate, and insightful. Across the country, listeners turn to NPR as a trusted source for news and information about the world around them and right in their communities.

Here in San Diego, KPBS brings that distinctive form of journalism to the community. Listeners can hear features, reports, and specials created by KPBS’ award- winning journalists, who cover issues such as politics, health, environment, education, science, military, and the arts. KPBS’ signature local programs are:

KPBS Midday Edition: Hosted by Maureen Cavanaugh, Midday Edition explores everything from politics to art. In 2017, the show launched a new, regular segment called “First Person.” The series tells the stories of average and not-so-average San Diegans in their own words and, in doing so, offers a unique lens into the news of the day. The stories are complimented with an online story, downloadable podcast, and social media outreach.

KPBS Roundtable: This weekly show features editors and reporters from the KPBS newsroom, as well as other local news outlets, as they discuss the week’s most important news. The discussion is moderated by host Mark Sauer and is recorded for both radio and television. The series is also presented as a podcast, allowing listeners to catch up on the week’s news when it suits them.


In addition to the radio news offerings, KPBS produces and presents unique local programs of interest. These series provide insight into specific issues – many from a first person perspective. Listeners are able to gain a richer perspective about the people, issues, and events that make up the unique fabric of San Diego life.

Incoming: For a third year, KPBS was proud to present the radio series Incoming, in partnership with So Say We All, a literary and performing arts non profit organization. Incoming shares the lives of America’s veterans, told in their own words, straight from their own perspectives.

StoryCorps: KPBS participated in the StoryCorps initiative “The Great Thanksgiving Listen,” encouraging children and teens to interview an elder family member using the StoryCorps app. The stories collected will be used for future segments on NPR.

Performing Arts:In 2017, KPBS presented more than 53 episodes of performing arts programming through unique partnerships with local arts organizations including the San Diego Opera and the San Diego Symphony. These broadcasts air on Saturday and Sunday evening, and provide an opportunity for audiences to hear world-class musicians and performers.

KPBS Radio reached an average of more than 343,000 listeners weekly in 2017, according to Nielson Audio(January - December 2017).


WHERE NEWS MATTERSNow more than ever, San Diegans rely on KPBS to present local, national, and international news while adhering to the highest journalistic standards.

Understanding the value of a free and independent media, KPBS invests in its newsroom. A team of dedicated local journalists deliver award-winning news reports and features on issues important to local audiences: environment, education, healthcare, science, politics, and the military. Relevant news with a local perspective, featuring local leaders and newsmakers, and reported by local journalists, is the hallmark of the KPBS news operation.

EducationAs part of education reporting, KPBS contributed to a series called “Trump Ed.” The series explored how proposed federal education policies could impact California schools. The series was produced in collaboration with reporters from KQED, KPBS, KPCC, and CALmatters.

The Audience:

More than 700,000 people watch KPBS-TV per quarter.

An average of 343,000 listeners tune in to KPBS Radio per week.

KPBS Facebook reaches more than 360,000 people per month.

More than 439,000 people access kpbs.org per month.


KPBS InvestigatesIn addition to the ongoing partnership with inewsource, KPBS added two investigative reporter positions to the desk in 2017, bringing the total to three. Reporters are given the time and resources to dive deeper into stories, ask tough questions, and pursue a story from all angles. These reporters have a track record of breaking stories with impact — from 911 wait times, deformed fish in aquaculture, illegal meetings between officials and lobbyists, sexual harassment in elected offices, and cross border corruption.

Having an investigations desk means KPBS has the ability to hold the powerful accountable and empower the local community through fact-based journalism.

inewsource is an independently funded non-profit investigative team embedded in the KPBS Newsroom. The partnership resulted in more than 80 inewsource stories, features, and conversations being heard on KPBS Radio in 2017. Of those inewsource stories, more than 60 were also featured on KPBS-TV last year.


KPBS and inewsource partnered on an in-depth series called “America’s Wall.”

America’s WallKPBS and inewsource partnered on an in-depth series called “America’s Wall.” The reporting team took a closer look at the proposed border wall and explored what it might mean for the people on both sides of the border. Using previously undisclosed data from the federal government, KPBS and inewsource were able to create an interactive map that shows every mile of the current wall along with when it was constructed. The information was layered with illegal immigration patterns over the decades as well as federal efforts to increase border enforcement. The series uncovered a pattern of illegal immigration that increased as the current wall became stronger and longer. The series was picked up via social media by PEN America, Univision, and the Wall Street Journal. Mentions and retweets from the series included NPR, KQED, Wall Street Journal, and Univision. In addition to traditional broadcast and online, content from the series was presented on social media. More than 79,000 people saw the series’ videos on Facebook and more than 74,000 people were reached via Twitter.

KPBS reporter Jean Guerrero interviews subjects for her piece on the border wall.

KPBS journalist working on a border wall piece.


Military and Veteran StoriesThe military is a significant and vital part of the San Diego community. Recognizing their value, KPBS added the military and veterans desk to its beat reporting system. KPBS covers military and veteran issues through a multi-station collaborative and a dedicated local reporter. In collaboration with NPR’s “Back at Base” and “American Homefront Project,” KPBS is able to share these stories with other public media stations.

Award-Winning NewsIn 2017, KPBS received two awards from the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists in the Diversity Prize category. The news stories were “San Diego Neighborhoods Close In Distance, Miles Apart In Voter Turnout” and “Death at the Border.” In total, KPBS journalists were awarded 25 times by the San Diego Society of Professional Journalists for their work. KPBS journalists also received 14 awards from the San Diego Press Club.

SPECIAL COVERAGE Listening PostsWith the goal of being present in the community and to hear first hand the effects of important news events, KPBS began setting up Listening Posts in 2017. Listening Posts were used at a variety of news events and occasions, including special coverage of the death of Alfred Olango, the San Diego Police Chief new hire search, and the 2007 wildfires.

As part of the special coverage of the death of African refugee Alfred Olango, the news team launched the first Listening Post where community members had an opportunity to share their feelings about the tragedy and relations with law enforcement since the incident. A Facebook Live event was done from the Listening Posts and the interviews were included in KPBS Midday Edition and KPBS Evening Edition. The two signature shows went live from El Cajon City Hall on the one year anniversary of Olango’s death.

In 2017, KPBS won the first ever Malin Burnham Award for Most Admired News Outlet from Reality Changers.

KPBS News set up their first listening post in El Cajon this year as part of the special coverage of the death of African refugee Alfred Olango.


Wildfires 10 Years LaterAt the height of the wildfire season, KPBS News produced a comprehensive, multi-part retrospective on the Witch Creek and Harris wildfires of 2007. “Living With Wildfires: San Diego Firestorm 10 Years Later” included first–hand accounts from residents, fire agencies, and first responders uncovering the lessons learned and how to prepare for future wildfires.

KPBS TELEVISIONKPBS television produces and presents a wide range of programs—from science to history, drama to children’s television. These programs reflect what viewers want and expect from public television: a commitment to quality, education, and perspective.

Viewers turn to KPBS for well loved PBS classics, such as MASTERPIECE, the PBS NewsHour, and Antiques Roadshow as well as local programs like Savor San Diego, A Growing Passion, and Crossing South.

In 2017, KPBS presented several new television programs, original productions, and standout specials to reach audiences throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Among the biggest changes with the most impact was theaddition of three new channels.

Three New ChannelsIn 2017, KPBS-TV significantly expanded its program service by adding three new channels featuring a wide array of award-winning and original content for viewers to enjoy. As a result, more and more local viewers and familiescan enjoy enriching, educational television. Children can watch their favorite PBS series at night; adults can catch a historical documentary in the middle of the day; and no one needs to wait for the weekend to learn from a public television chef.

KPBS reporters interview community members about the 2007 wildfires.

KPBS 2 features today’s news headlines, scientific advances, historic revelations, natural wonders, and personal stories, plus exclusive dramas and encore presentations of the best that PBS has to offer.

KPBS Kids is a 24/7 broadcast and streaming channel featuring the best of PBS children’s programming.

KPBS Create is dedicated to the highest quality how-to and lifestyle programming from public television.


WAR STORIESIn 2017, KPBS presented three important television specials on historic American conflicts, sharing the complex stories, varied perspectives, and the human dimensions of war.

The Great War: American ExperienceDrawing on unpublished diaries, memoirs, and letters, The Great War told the rich and complex story of World War I through the voices of nurses, journalists, aviators, and the American troops who came to be known as “doughboys.” The series explores the experiences of African-American and Latino soldiers, suffragists, Native American “code talkers,” and others whose participation in the war has been largely forgotten.

The Vietnam War Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s 18-hour series told the epic story of one of the most consequential, divisive, and controversial events in American history. Visceral and immersive, the series explored the human dimensions of the war through revelatory testimony of witnesses from all sides: Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as combatants and civilians from North and South Vietnam.

Distinguished Wings Over VietnamProduced exclusively for KPBS, this documentary shared the honest, personal accounts of four combat pilots during the Vietnam War. These men revealed how it felt risking their lives in a war that was confusing and unpopular to say the least.


MORE DISTINCTIVE PROGRAMMINGThe Summer of AdventureThis around-the-world collection of specials highlights culture, creatures, and conservation with stops in some of the world’s most amazing places. Program titles include, The Story of China, Great Yellowstone Thaw, Nature’s Great Race, and Wild Alaska Live. The Wild Alaska special was simulcast on KPBS Kids.

Africa’s Great Civilizations: Beginning with Africa’s ancient history as the cradle of mankind, this documentary series with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. brought the epic stories of both little-known and celebrated African kingdoms and cultures to life.

Spy in the Wild, A Nature Miniseries: More than 30 animatronic “spy cameras” disguised as animals secretly recorded animal behavior in the wild. These spy creatures revealed that animals show emotions and behavior similar to humans – a capacity to love, grieve, deceive, cooperate, and invent.

FRONTLINE: The award-winning investigative series examines the conditions in America that led to the election of a political outsider and explored the state of our divided nation in three specials: President Trump, Trump’s Road to the White House, and Divided State of America.


LOCAL ARTSWith the goal of making local arts more accessible to our audience, KPBS-TV partnered with local arts organizations to present two distinct live events.

As OneIn partnership with the San Diego Opera, KPBS-TV premiered As One, a coming of age story addressing transgender rights. This intimate performance featured two voices, a baritone and a mezzo-soprano, sharing the sole protagonist role in a story told with empathy and humor and accompanied by a beautiful score.

1812 Tchaikovsky SpectacularViewers enjoyed a performance by the San Diego Symphony Orchestra that was recorded live at the San Diego Embarcadero during the Bayside Summer Nights Concert Series.

EXPLORING SAN DIEGOLaunched in 2012 as a way to create more local programming, KPBS Explore brings local producers and the KPBS programming team together to develop ideas for programs that increase San Diego’s sense of place, reflect its diverse and dynamic community, and allow audiences to connect over shared experiences. In 2017, KPBS Explore expanded further into digital and social media with the debut of two new podcasts and a short-form digital video series (see page 17 for details on the KPBS Explore podcasts and digital series).


Re’flect This series provides a fresh and inspiring look at aging in San Diego. It highlights six vibrant older adults living life by their terms and how each in their own way defied stereotypes of aging.

Savor San DiegoHost Su-Mei Yu explores and cooks her way around San Diego in this Emmy-nominated series. From sampling locally brewed sake to cooking up authentic Chaldean cuisine, her explorations share the best of the city’s culinary bounty.

A Growing PassionIn this Emmy-winning lifestyle program, Host Nan Sterman celebrates how San Diego grows, from investigating alternative farming systems like aquaponics, exploring the story of seeds from breeding to eating, and to touring the San Diego Zoo’s impressive collection of plants.

Crossing SouthJourney into Baja California with bilingual travel companion and host Jorge Meraz. Meraz meets with a local artist troupe, explores the expanding craft beer scene, and whips up some tasty Moroxican food.

Live at the Belly UpFeaturing San Diego’s finest bands, from rock, blues, reggae, funk, and everything in between, this series showcases the area’s hotbed of great and diverse musical talent.

Ken Kramer’s About San DiegoRanging over all of San Diego County, these stories deal with little known things about San Diego’s past and how they relate to places the audience sees everyday.

“Love watching About San Diego and always learn something new about my hometown. Thank you Ken Kramer! Your show is the one of the many reasons I’m a KPBS sustaining member.” - Lance Robert, KPBS viewer and member


Children listen to a story at the Daniel Tiger workshop

CHILDREN’S TV: GOING BEYOND BROADCASTKPBS Kids WorkshopsThis collaboration with the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum allows KPBS to bring to life the educational concepts found in PBS Kids programming. The workshops are based on lessons from PBS Kids shows and enriched by visits from experts and PBS Kids characters.

An average of 328 participants attended each workshop in 2017, representing a significant increase over 2016. The remarkable turnout demonstrates the value North County families have for the resources provided by these interactive exhibits and workshops.

The most popular and best attended workshop was held on June 10th and featured Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, an animated PBS series inspired by Mister Rogers Neighborhood. More than 850 children and their parents came to the museum to meet a costumed Daniel Tiger. Among the activities offered to children were an “All About Me Poster” project, an art activity featuring Daniel Tiger handprints and friendship bracelets.

A family poses with Daniel Tiger

Children work on crafts at the Daniel Tiger workshop


Additional workshops included those for Wild Kratts, Dinosaur Train, Super Why, and Splash and Bubbles. KPBS Kids workshops will continue in 2018, with an exciting roster of monthly workshops and events for kids, parents, and educators to enjoy.

Parents said they appreciated the KPBS Kids offerings, with many saying their families planned to attend more workshops.

“KPBS is a wonderful cornerstone to our community…” - Parent participant following a Super Why workshop.

World Thinking DayThis annual collaboration with Girl Scouts San Diego took place on February 25 at San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. The event was attended by 527 participants and encouraged attendees to connect with their local and global communities. A number of performers were featured, including Ballet Folklórico En Aztlan, Motu Nehenehe Polynesian Dancers, Clan Rince, and the Hoa Nghiem Lion Dance Group. Hands-on activities were held throughout the museum.

Splash and BubblesKPBS spearheaded a national community engagement initiative around the PBS Kids series Splash and Bubbles. The project aimed to extend the series educational opportunities beyond broadcast and increase awareness of marine science throughout the nation. Leveraging the power of public media to educate, KPBS administered grants to six other PBS member stations across the country to support the work local stations were doing around the series. With these grants, stations were able to create meaningful community events and share innovative curriculum and resources to educators to help make marine science fun for children ages four to seven.

In 2017, children and their families attended eight workshops and special events that attracted 2,625 participants overall.

Bayou County Children’s Museum event - Campers age 5-10


KPBS created materials for all PBS member stations to host “Ocean Friends Forever Day.” These events around World Oceans Day focused on the theme: our oceans, our future. KPBS hosted Ocean Friends Forever Day on June 3rd at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps. Attendees created crafts out of recycled materials, explored art installations by local ocean artist Teresa Espaniola, and become

“Reeftown Rangers.”

More than 1,000 attendees had the opportunity to learn about the ocean in a fun and engaging way. The event wareplicated at participating PBS stations, impacting even more communities, educators, children, and families.

KPBS also partnered with three marine scientists at Scripps Institute of Oceanography to host professional development webinars for early childhood educators. The webinars were focused around three topics in marine science: kelp forests, coral reefs, and marine debris. Over 200 educators across the country have attended these webinars.

The educational materials developed around Splash and Bubbles are available to the public on PBS Learning Media and will continue to be used by educators and PBS member stations throughout the nation for as long as the series is on the air.

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Community members at Oceans Forever Day at the Birch Aquarium with Splash and Bubbles

Over 1,000 attendees enjoyed education stations to learn about the ocean and become

“Reeftown Rangers,” created crafts out of recycled materials, and explored art installations created by local ocean artist, Teresa Espaniola.

“The materials regarding the coral reefs, the oceanic marine environment, trash, gravity motion in the gyres, and so much more was wonderfully presented. I am breathless in how such complicated material has been clearly enunciated and placed gently into learning experiences that not only small children can understand, but people of all ages.” - Alfred Brock, Director of The Wayne Focus in Wayne, Michigan


KPBS Podcasts:First Person - NEW IN 2017Rad Scientist - NEW IN 2017My First Day - NEW IN 2017Incoming San Diego StoriesKPBS RoundtableCinema JunkieKPBS Midday Edition

The new podcasts resulted in an increase in downloads by 195% since 2016. A total of 99,541 podcasts listeners enjoyed these unique, local stories that showcase San Diego’s diverse and eclectic communities.

KPBS DIGITAL AND PODCAST SERIESKPBS uses new technologies to share interesting and unique content with audiences. As a compliment to the KPBS Explore TV and radio programs, KPBS developed new podcasts and digital video series under this local initiative. Podcasts are a growing media and KPBS is keeping up with demand.

Jordan Loves shared the best of San Diego through a collection of entertaining and sometimes funny explorations of the city’s underappreciated, however iconic, landmarks and businesses. The video web series launched in late 2017 and was viewed 18,341 times through digital platforms. The series continues to be available at kpbs.org/jordanloves.

Rad Scientist highlights San Diego as a hub of discovery. In this podcast series, host Margot Wohl introduces listeners to local scientists who devote their lives to unearthing the secrets of our world, studying everything from the smallest organisms to the largest cosmic events. Between downloads and direct streaming on kpbs.org, the series has enjoyed 47,000 listens since its debut last October.

My First Day features first person accounts of what their first days in San Diego were like. The 12 part series reveals the exciting, nerving process of starting a new life of those who came to San Diego from elsewhere and now call it home.


BUILDING COMMUNITYAs an extension to the programs on KPBS TV, radio, and digital platforms, KPBS manages a number of special projects and events that bring the San Diego community together. Collectively, these projects impact more than 2,500 individuals and families through events, panel discussions, screenings, and workshops.

Celebrating HeroesIn 2017, KPBS and its partner, the National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC), launched Community Heroes. The project celebrates San Diego’s unsung heroes and generates public conversations about their work and the issues they care about.

Each quarter, KPBS solicits hero nominations from the public around topics considered to be pressing to the region. The 2017 topics were racial justice, affordable housing, immigration, and environmental sustainability.

KPBS and NCRC celebrated the heroes by hosting community conversations about their work. A total of 610 people attended the events, which were free and open to the public. Four conversations were held and each included an interview with the hero followed by facilitated discussion with audience members. The capstone of the program is the celebration of the four heroes at NCRC’s annual Peacemaker Awards on April 7, 2018. These heroes will be recognized for their successful efforts to make San Diego a better place to live.

2017 COMMUNITY HEROES

ELIZABETH BUSTOS, of Be There San Diego, for racial justice.

ANNE WILSON, of Community HousingWorks, for affordable housing.

ELIZABETH LOPEZ, of the Southern California Immigration Project, for immigration.

DIANE TAKVORIAN, of the Environmental Health Coalition, for environmental sustainability.


Family movie night aboard the USS Midway Museum during the third annual GI Film Festival San Diego, October 18-22, 2017.

GI FILM FESTIVAL SAN DIEGOSince 2015, KPBS has been proud to host the GI Film Festival San Diego, the only locally produced film festival to exclusively present the stories of America’s service members, their families, and veterans. The festival offers compelling, authentic, and personal stories of triumph, heroism, grit, and honor. Documentaries, shorts, narratives, and family friendly films are presented. The festival also presents the Local Film Showcase in partnership with the Film Consortium San Diego. The local film showcase highlights San Diego’s unique military history, people, and events.

The majority of screenings are followed by panel discussions with filmmakers, civilian experts, and military and veteran leaders – from decorated generals to wounded warriors and Gold Star families. The discussions allow participants to dive deeper into the themes presented in the films and help bridge the civilian-military divide.

The five-day festival ran from October 18-22, at venues throughout San Diego County including a first-ever night in North County. KPBS sold 1,800 tickets for 14 screenings of 33 films. The audience and interest in the festival continues to grow since the inaugural event in 2015.

Local filmmakers, veteran, and supporters at the third annual GI Film Festival San Diego, October 18-22, 2017.

Vietnam veterans at screening of “Distinguished Wings Over Vietnam.”

Film subject Ron Reyes and guests at encore screening of “The 2 Sides Project.”


Working collaboratively within the local military and veteran service community, the festival reaches the local veteran and military audience, local and national filmmakers, and leaders working in these communities. A voluntary advisory committee comprised of 15 local military-connected leaders and advocates offer guidance and expertise to ensure that the festival is accessible and serves the needs of veterans and active duty alike. The films give voice to these communities, provide creative outlet for veteran filmmakers, and deepen understanding and perspective for all audiences.

One Book, One San DiegoIn September, KPBS launched the 11th season of One Book, One San Diego featuring New York Times bestselling writer Chris Bohjalian, author of “The Sandcastle Girls,” the 2017 One Book selection. Six hundred people attended two kick-off events in September 2017 where Bohjalian spoke about his book and the 1915 Armenian Genocide, the period in which his novel takes place. Official partners hosted scores of their own One Book events, which included an Armenian cultural festival and a film festival featuring movies grappling with the theme of genocide. The One Book program reaches a diverse audience that includes adults, children, teens and Spanish speakers. Books are selected to appeal to each of these groups. The One Book season runs several weeks, from September into the month of December. More than 25 local organizations are part of the One Book program and work collaboratively with KPBS. These organizations include local libraries, schools, and other community groups. In 2017, the San Diego Union Tribune joined the One Book project and KPBS participated in the newspaper’s inaugural San Diego Festival of Books, with two previous One Book authors, Zohreh Ghahremani and Mina Javaherbin, participating in panel discussions.

In 2017, 38% of attendees identified themselves as current military or veterans and the majority indicated that they were military-connected families.

Author Chris Bohjalian with a giant copy of his national bestseller “The Sandcastle Girls” at the One Book, One San Diego kickoff at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.


One Book Partners: San Diego Public Library San Diego County LibraryEscondido Public LibraryChula Vista Public LibraryOceanside Public LibrarySan Diego State University LibraryUniversity of San DiegoPoint Loma Nazarene UniversityUniversity of California at San DiegoSan Diego City CollegeRosa Parks Elementary SchoolHoover High SchoolWilson Middle SchoolCrawford High SchoolLittle Fish Comic Book Studio Asociación de Bibliotecarios de Baja California

One Book for Kids “My Beautiful Birds” is based on the true story of a boy and his parents who are forced to flee their home because of the Syrian war. Author and illustrator Del Rizzo used plasticine, polymer clay, and paint to create the illustrations for the book.

KPBS partnered with the Girl Scouts of San Diego to bring eight craft and reading workshops centered on Del Rizzo’s book to children at libraries around the county. The workshops culminated with 200 children and their parents jamming the children’s section of the Poway Public Library on December 2 to hear Del Rizzo speak. The event also featured craft activities hosted by the Girl Scouts and a demonstration by the San Diego Homing Pigeon Club.

THE 2017 ONE BOOK, ONE SAN DIEGO SELECTIONS:

“The Sandcastle Girls,” by Chris Bohjalian, One Book, One San Diego

“La Bastarda de Estambul” by Elif Shafak, One Book Sin Fronteras, the program for Spanish speakers

“I Remember Beirut” by Zeina Abirached, One Book for Teens

“My Beautiful Birds” by Suzanne Del Rizzo, One Book for Kids

Girl Scouts show off their art projects created during a November One Book for Kids workshop, featuring the picture book “My Beautiful Birds,” hosted by the Girl Scouts of San Diego.


PUBLIC MEDIA INNOVATES In 2017, KPBS launched a listening app to highlight the station’s radio streams, podcasts, and news articles. The free app brings KPBS radio content to mobile users, allowing them the freedom to listen to 89.5FM on the go, right from their smartphone or tablet. Through the app, users can select specific news stories from KPBS, NPR, and other news outlets. Access to the classical music stream and series podcasts are also functions made available through the app.

At the end of 2017, more than 700 people downloaded the app.

In 2017, KPBS sought to more deeply engage and impact its social media users with original content. Among the activities pursued was the creation of long-form video exclusively for Facebook, an increased number of Facebook Live events with reporters, and consistent Instagram posting and stories to highlight local programming and news events.

As a result of these efforts, KPBS saw impressive growth in its social media users. Since May 2017, the station’s Facebook page grew by 13%, Instagram increased 45%, and Twitter increased by 14%.

KPBS/Arts NewsletterThe arts newsletter features the best events and insights on local arts, culture, and performances. In less than one year, KPBS/Arts gained more than 1,200 subscribers, providing helpful information and resources about the local arts scene.

Nearly 1.2 million people viewed an Evening Edition video package on homeless children at a San Diego camp. The feature was presented in November 2017 and provided a deeper understanding of the crisis from one family’s perspective.

KPBS increased its newsletter subscribers by 58% in 2017.


Fundraising & DevelopmentKPBS is a non-profit public media organization, funded in large part by individual contributions from those that use and value its content. In 2017, more than 57,000 families and individuals supported KPBS through its membership program. Additionally, KPBS receives direct and indirect financial support from corporate underwriters, San Diego State University, major gifts from local philanthropists and foundations, and planned gifts. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting provides financial support through its appropriation as outlined in the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967.

Total Operating Revenues: $25,145,336


Producers ClubProducers Club members are KPBS’ most generous annual contributors, giving $1,200 or more each year to strengthen the impact of public media in San Diego. In 2017, the Producers Club grew to 1,600 families with 389 new members.

KPBS Producers Club encourages its members to build a deeper connection to the community by organizing a wide variety of events and activities in different areas of San Diego County. Members become more engaged by attending presentations by distinguished community leaders and renowned scientists, and through volunteering opportunities such as neighborhood clean-ups and assistance at organizations helping the homeless. Producers Club members are also invited to intimate receptions with PBS and NPR personalities, exclusive pre-screenings of popular MASTERPIECE shows, various theatre productions and new media exhibitions, and several mix-and-mingle parties which are purely social in nature.

Major GiftsRevenue from Major Gifts amounted to more than $4 million in fiscal year 2017 and support numerous KPBS initiatives and programs.

Major Gifts provide significant financial support for news reporting beats, such as Science and Technology, Environment, Health, Arts and Culture, and Investigative Reporting. The TV programming fund supports children’s programming, the PBS NewsHour, Doc Martin, FRONTLINE, and MASTERPIECE.

The MASTERPIECE Trust is an innovative funding collaborative that provides individual philanthropists, who are passionate about the series, with an opportunity to help ensure its future. San Diego donors continue to be the largest contributors to the Trust. Since its launch in 2011, the Trust has raised more than $19 million, with over $10 million coming from San Diego donors.

KPBS Producers Club beach clean-up with I Love A Clean San Diego at Mission Bay.

KPBS major donors with This American Life host, Ira Glass.

KPBS Producers Club members during the Victoria Screening at KPBS studio.

KPBS Producers Club members during the Producers Club New Members Reception on board the Hornblower Cruise.


Local MASTERPIECE Trust supporters: Darlene ShileyConrad Prebys and Debbie TurnerCarol VassiliadisSteve and Sue HartGAT Family Foundation

Planned GivingPlanned giving donors ensure the station’s longevity and continued service to the community by including KPBS as a beneficiary in their estate plans. Planned gifts to KPBS are often through revocable living trusts, but they can also be through wills, retirement plans, charitable remainder trusts, and charitable gift annuities. In fiscal year 2017, matured planned gifts from 14 families totaled more than $450,000.

The KPBS Friends for Life legacy society honors these passionate donors, past and present. There is no minimum planned gift required for membership and KPBS honors requests for anonymity. Friends for Life members are recognized at the station on a plaque. They also enjoy invitations to an annual planned giving appreciation event and monthly Producers Club events.

Community AdvisorsThe Producers Club CommitteeThe KPBS Producers Club Committee provides community expertise and input regarding annual giving of $1,200 or more. Committee members aid and advise the station on membership goals, strategies, and Producers Club events and benefits. They are ambassadors for KPBS and the Producers Club. The role of the Committee is solely advisory in nature.

2017 Producers Club Committee MembersKitty Wolcott, PresidentKathy BettlesJulie HatchPatti Nussbaum

KPBS Producers Club member with KPBS and New Americans Museum staff.

KPBS Producers Club member at the New Americans Museum exhibit.

KPBS Producers Club members during the Vino of the Valle de Guadalupe event at Kettner Exchange.

KPBS Producers Club kids and grandkids during the PC Theater Night: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at The Old Globe.


KPBS Planned Giving CommitteeThe KPBS Planned Giving Committee is composed of experienced financial, legal, and tax professionals who volunteer their expertise for KPBS. Committee members also serve as community ambassadors, extending our mission to educate and inspire.

2017 KPBS Planned Giving Committee MembersJames E. Lauth, Esq., Committee ChairD. Stephen Boner, Esq.Rick Brooks, CFA®, CFP®

Harriet H. Carter, Esq.Joy C. Chang, Esq.Rik Floyd, MBA, CLPFMark C. Hill, CFP®, CDFA™

Brian Krause, CFP®

David R. Lee, CFP®

Suzanne P. Nicholl, Esq.M. Tami Sandke, Esq.Jean Sinclair, MBA, MSBA, CFP®, CeFT®

Joan Wolfe, CPA

Mission StatementKPBS serves our local communities with news and

entertainment programming that respects our audience

with inspiring, intelligent and enlightening content.

KPBS will deliver this content via multiple outlets,

including television, radio, and digital media and will

adapt and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

KPBS values integrity, truth, transparency and lifelong

learning. At KPBS we strive to engage with our citizens

and showcase the unique neighborhoods and people

that make our community thrive. And as a public service

of San Diego State University, education is a core value

– from our children’s programming to our local news

coverage. KPBS is committed to being a reliable source

for in-depth, thoughtful, and high quality content.

5200 Campanile DriveSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA 92182-5400

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