Hi there,

Kim Ishikawa here, backseat baby turned KCRW staffer. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how I’m now raising my own backseat baby, and how KCRW is only here because generations of listeners chose to support it with their time or money (often both).

Knowing that we’re now more than 50,000 members strong gives me real hope that this wonderful community will be here for generations to come. This is especially important now that public media operates without federal funding (that's a loss of $1.3 million annually for KCRW).

As a new(ish) mom, you quickly learn that raising a kid takes a village. The same is true for making KCRW possible, and KCRW is worth it! It’s an independent media source — one that you can trust, isn’t behind a paywall, or driven by profit — a rarity these days. It’s also one of the few places in LA that truly feels like a community. Both virtually (I see you, MBE Live fans) and IRL (at every single KCRW event but especially our Summer Nights — some of the most diverse, joyful gatherings I've been to in LA).

If any of that resonates with you, I hope you'll donate today. Give your tax-deductible gift before midnight and your dollars will be doubled thanks to a $50,000 challenge grant from KCRW Board Member Akio Tagawa. We have just a few hours left to unlock vital funds we'll need to power the year ahead. 

Wishing you and your loved ones a very happy holidays and happy new year. Thank you for believing in KCRW and helping ensure it’s around for future backseat babies.

With gratitude, 

Kim

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