Update: WBUR Voluntary Program

The following letter from WBUR CEO Margaret Low was shared with staff on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. It has been reproduced here with light editing.

Dear All,

I'm writing to tell you about the first phase of our plan to significantly lower WBUR's expenses. Given all that we've shared over the last few weeks, I won't take time here to innumerate what you already know about our financial situation.

To map a path to sustainability, we need to begin FY25 with a budget that is at least $4 million lower than this year. The new fiscal year begins on July 1. For context, this year's budget is a little more than $45 million. So we're aiming for about a 10% reduction in how much we spend next year and beyond.

Before I lay out our approach, I first want to thank all of you for your patience and goodwill as we carefully reviewed our expenses. Despite the anxiety that I know our financial woes have caused, I've been moved by how colleagues have rallied to support WBUR and one another.

At the same time, the outpouring from the public has been affirming. More than a thousand people have given and given more since I sent a note to the WBUR community earlier this month. This includes everyone from first-time donors to very generous members of both our boards. It won't close the gap. We didn't expect it to. But we have raised awareness, grown our Sustainer rolls and helped people understand our economics and the vital importance of supporting WBUR. We want to keep this new momentum going.

Enough said. Let me cut to the chase.

We Are Launching a Voluntary Program

This is a buyout of sorts. It's open to every full or part-time colleague who has a regular weekly schedule. In order to participate, you must have worked at WBUR for at least three months. Any eligible colleague can choose to participate in the program and thereby voluntarily leave WBUR.

Here are the nuts and bolts of the plan and the incentive:

Next Steps

This is a lot to absorb. To help answer any questions you have, we'll hold information sessions today and tomorrow. Colleagues from WBUR's Talent & Culture team along with members of BU's Human Resources team will be there to answer questions. If you would like to speak to someone one on one, please email Talent & Culture and they will find a time for you to have a private conversation.

Closing Thoughts

This Voluntary Program reflects our desire to be humane during a challenging time. We anticipate that some people will decide that this is a good opportunity to retire or to take a break and begin a new chapter. While we wish this voluntary program would alleviate the need for other actions, we know that it won't. We anticipate that we'll still need to freeze some open roles and do layoffs, but we're hoping to eliminate as few jobs as possible. This Voluntary Program should help with that goal.

Importantly, we won't announce any other expense reduction plans until we have clarity on how many people are electing to participate in the Voluntary Program.

With all this, I firmly believe that WBUR has a bright future. My job is to ensure that our journalism and programming remain strong and that WBUR has the financial resources we need to thrive for decades to come. I'm confident that even with all these difficult steps we must take, WBUR will continue to be a beacon of editorial excellence for millions of people in Boston and beyond.

With admiration and appreciation,
Margaret Low
Chief Executive Officer
WBUR