Effective Oct. 1 with the start of WJCT Public Media’s new fiscal year, the organization says it is now fully community-funded.
“WJCT has always been 100% community-owned. We’re proud, and incredibly grateful, to say that we are now also 100% community-funded,” David McGowan, president and CEO of WJCT Public Media, said in an Oct. 1 news release.
WJCT said the change reflects years of strategic efforts to diversify its revenue, a priority that was accelerated after about $2 million in revenue for the organization was eliminated at the state and federal levels. In the final months of the 2024-25 fiscal year, WJCT and its supporters raised more than $1 million to ensure its financial stability, including contributions from more than 1,000 donors.
“This fundraising momentum shows that WJCT’s services deliver immense personal and civic value. We begin this new fiscal year on solid financial footing, and with an even greater resolve to deliver the trustworthy, educational and insightful programs that represent the special role that public media plays in our community’s quality of life,” McGowan said.
The release said the achievements ensure that WJCT’s core services from local news and emergency weather updates, to early childhood education programs and free events will continue.
In an email Oct. 1, McGowan said WJCT plans to make some cost-saving changes to its television operations and will continue to evaluate options to gain operational efficiencies in all areas.
“In FY26 we expect these changes to have very little visible impact on the services the public experiences from WJCT Public Media,” McGowan said.
New trustees
WJCT Public Media is governed by a volunteer board of trustees, whose responsibility is to help maintain and improve the organization’s financial health.
Along with announcing the transition to full community funding, the organization confirmed the appointment of D. Samuel “Sam” Inman and Austin Staton as new trustees at its annual meeting on September 25, 2025.
Inman is the president and CEO of Community First Credit Union. He has served the credit union since 1990, starting as an assistant accounting manager before progressing into numerous leadership roles before being named the institution’s seventh president and CEO in 2024.
In addition to his service to WJCT, Inman is the chair of the board of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida and a member of the University of North Florida Foundation board.
Earlier in his career, he served on committees and boards such as the TEACH conference for Northeast Florida educators, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Florida, the UNF Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the Credit Union Executive Society’s Florida Chapter.
Staton is the director of media relations for CSX Corp.
Over the past 15 years, he has served as an adviser to executives and senior leaders at global Fortune 500 companies.
Before joining CSX, he guided communications for global energy companies in Houston, where he managed media strategies and crisis responses. He received a political science degree from Baylor University and a certificate in sustainable business strategy from Harvard Business School Online.
Bill Hendrich, a retired executive vice president for Cox Media Group, continues in the second year of his two-year term as board chair. Anne Madsen, chief financial officer for LSF Health Systems, a division of Lutheran Services Florida, now serves as both chair-elect and treasurer.
“WJCT Public Media is a resilient and innovative organization. Our trustees are united in our commitment to this vital community asset and its success,” Hendrich said in the release.
“Sam and Austin both bring tremendous professional talent to the board. With their contributions, the excellent work of our current board members, and Anne’s consistent leadership, we are ready to embrace this new chapter of WJCT’s exciting story.”
WJCT is the community-owned and operated public media organization serving Northeast Florida since 1958, with television, radio, digital media and live events.