Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Helps to Establish an Entrepreneurship Desk For American Public Media's Marketplace® Public Radio Program
Contact: Jennifer Syltie Johnson
American Public Media
651-290-1071
Wendy Guillies
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
816-932-1046
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation Helps to Establish an Entrepreneurship Desk For American Public Media's Marketplace® Public Radio Program
(St. Paul, MN) November 21, 2005 — The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Kansas City, Missouri-based private foundation established by pharmaceutical entrepreneur Ewing Marion Kauffman, will support a new Entrepreneurship Desk at American Public Media's Marketplace programs. The grant announcement was made by Bill Kling, president and CEO, Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group. The Kauffman grant of $375,700 will enable coverage of breaking news and trends in business, finance and the economy affected by entrepreneurial activities.
The three Marketplace programs are heard by approximately eight million listeners each week on more than 330 public radio stations across the country. The Marketplace portfolio includes the 30-minute weekday afternoon Marketplace, and its companion 10-minute Marketplace Morning Report and the weekend personal finance program Marketplace Money. Marketplace has the largest audience of any business program on radio or television.
"As an entrepreneurial organization, American Public Media is particularly honored by the Kauffman Foundation's investment in our coverage of entrepreneurship," said Kling. "This partnership and the Foundation's support of Marketplace's Entrepreneurship Desk will help inform public radio listeners about one of the most dynamic and important economic forces in our nation."
In its 16th year, Los Angeles-based Marketplace has won numerous awards, including an Alfred I. duPont-Columbia Silver Baton and a George Foster Peabody Award. Marketplace segments revolve around money and business, people, local economies and the world with the signature Marketplace sound and wit. Other Marketplace desks include Sustainability; Innovation in Raleigh, N.C., in partnership with WUNC; Work and Family; Health in partnership with WGBH in Boston; and the America's Desk in Miami, Fla., in partnership with WLRN. Marketplace also has bureaus in New York, Washington, D.C., London and Beijing.
"We are grateful to the Kauffman Foundation for support of the Entrepreneurship Desk," said J.J. Yore, executive producer of Marketplace and vice president of programming at American Public Media. "Marketplace's Entrepreneurship Desk will produce programming ranging from features, commentary to breaking news. The broadcasts will include the voices and views of entrepreneurs in finance, banks, venture capital and other segments of the economy and society." In addition, the Marketplace Web site will offer expanded content on the topic, searchable archives and access to transcripts and podcasting.
"Given the significant innovations, jobs and wealth entrepreneurs create for Americans and the American economy, it's fitting to have educational news coverage devoted to the important role entrepreneurs play and the issues that affect them," said Carl J. Schramm, president and CEO of the Kauffman Foundation. "We're pleased to fund Marketplace's Entrepreneurship Desk as part of our mission to advance entrepreneurship and raise awareness of the critical contributions entrepreneurs make every day."
Since 1992, the Kauffman Foundation has worked nationwide to catalyze an entrepreneurial society in which job creation, innovation and the economy flourish. The Foundation works with leading educators, researchers and other partners to broaden understanding of the powerful economic impact of entrepreneurship, train the nation's next generation of entrepreneurial leaders, develop and disseminate proven programs that enhance entrepreneurial skills and improve the environment in which entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. More information about the Kauffman Foundation is available at www.kauffman.org.