$17 Million Investment will Bring Community Together Through Storytelling, Renovate Public Media Headquarters
ST. LOUIS, November 3, 2025 - Today, Nine PBS announced a historic series of philanthropic commitments totaling more than $17 million. These investments will accelerate Nine PBS’s mission to amplify regional voices, expand early education, and bring leaders and community members together. Nine PBS will also reimagine and renovate its 28-year-old headquarters at 3655 Olive St. into a state-of-the-art community public media center, elevating St. Louis as a place where stories spark connection and change.
The lead gift comes from the Taylor Family, with additional lead gifts coming from Carolyn Kindle, the William T. Kemper Foundation, the Steward Family Foundation, and the Berges Family Foundation. The gifts have propelled Nine PBS past 60% of its funding goal.
"Our family made this investment because we see Nine PBS as a civic anchor for our region, an essential institution that strengthens and connects our community," said Lee Broughton, representing the Taylor Family. "We’re confident this commitment will help ensure St. Louis stories aren’t just told, but celebrated and shared widely.”
“As someone who has always believed in St. Louis and its bright future, I’m proud to support Nine PBS during this transformative time,” said Carolyn Kindle. “No one tells our region’s stories with more care, authenticity, and purpose. This investment in the future of Nine PBS ensures those stories continue to inspire pride and connection across our region.”
“We believe that our support of Nine PBS will serve as a catalyst for both the organization and for the region,” said David Kemper, representing the William T. Kemper Foundation. “Nine PBS has the right talent, vision, and leadership, and it has built the community trust needed to amplify its work and help St. Louis thrive.”
“Nine PBS has long been a trusted voice and vital partner in strengthening our community, and our family is honored to help carry that mission forward,” said David Steward II, representing the Steward Family Foundation. “This investment ensures Nine PBS can continue to educate, inspire, and uplift every learner and family. It reflects the enduring spirit of service and opportunity that has defined our family’s dedication to this community.”
“Nine PBS is the connective tissue of our community and a trusted source of storytelling in a world that needs it,” said Elizabeth Mannen Berges, lead trustee of the Berges Family Foundation. “We are proud to deepen our support for Nine PBS, as its work beautifully aligns with our mission to strengthen the vitality of our region."
These transformative investments will not only fund a renovated community public media center, they will also allow Nine PBS to continue deepening its connection to the community, tell more impactful stories with more partners, uplift more voices, and connect more children and educators to the resources they need. Nine PBS’s vision of the future is to bring even more people together to work on solutions and envision what our community can be. Trivers, a St. Louis-based architecture, planning, urban design and interiors firm, was chosen as the project architect of record. Anna Leavey, Owner and President of Anna Leavey LLC, will serve as project manager.
“I see Nine PBS as a mirror for our community, reflecting the best of St. Louis and helping everyone take pride in who we are as a region. These investments mark a turning point for public media in St. Louis. I’m thankful that others believe that St. Louis and Nine PBS are a big deal,” said Amy Shaw, Nine PBS President and CEO. “The future is full of promise as we build on our 71-year legacy and continue to serve our community in even more ways."
To learn more about the future vision of Nine PBS, please visit www.ninepbs.org/whatsnext.
About Nine PBS
An essential community institution since 1954, Nine PBS magnifies and deepens understanding of our community to help our region flourish. We tell stories that move us. We meet people where they are the most comfortable consuming content. Nine PBS’s platforms include four distinct broadcast channels (Nine PBS, Nine PBS KIDS®, Nine PBS World, and Nine PBS Create), ninepbs.org, social media, the free PBS Video App, streaming services, live and virtual events, and the Public Media Commons. Follow Nine PBS on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
For more information, contact:
Leah Freeman
Vice President and Chief Communications Officer
Office (314) 512-9117 Cell (901) 359-1104
lfreeman@ninepbs.org
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