Emergency Measures: Print on Demand As A Lifeline After Federal Budget Cuts For NPR & PBS Stations

A Shock to the System

The recent, sudden loss of federal funding for NPR and PBS, coupled with significant cuts to National Parks and museums nationwide, is a shocking blow to the infrastructure that supports so much of our public education, cultural enrichment, and historical preservation. These cuts are not just about numbers; they are about access, education, and the very fabric of what makes America. 

• NPR and PBS: ”While NPR receives just a small amount of direct federal government support — less than 2% of its annual revenue — PBS and local stations rely on it far more heavily. For public radio stations, federal funding makes up, on average, 8-10% of their budgets; for PBS and its member stations, the figure stands on average at about 15%. “

• National Parks: “Since the Trump administration took office, the National Park Service has lost 24% of its permanent staff, affecting every park unit in the country. Despite this decline, the House voted to take back over $260 million the parks relied on to keep historic and cultural resources safe and visitor centers staffed during summer, their busiest season. “

• Museums: “IMLS makes up only 0.0046% of the overall federal budget to support, while museums, in turn, generate $50 billion dollars in economic benefits to the American economy and support more than 726,000 jobs.  American museums receive bi-partisan support, and research shows that 96% of Americans want to maintain or increase federal funding for museums.”

Jump Starting Revenue

The budget cuts weren't a shock, but they were certainly a disappointment. So, I took my expertise and focused on providing ideas that can be put in place asap.

While I typically champion carefully curated, mission-aligned products, in this emergency, I'm recommending a nimble and accessible option: Print on Demand (POD). POD allows you to create and sell custom items (like t-shirts, mugs, and tote bags) without holding any inventory yourself. I know many teams are struggling, trying to find ways to cut costs or bring in new revenue, and this could be part of your solution.

We'll delve into the pros and cons later, but for now, view this as a starting point.

Tip: Make it personal by working with a local artist or designer.

Getting Started with Print on Demand

The utility of Print on Demand, especially for organizations with limited resources and bandwidth, is how quickly and inexpensively you can be up and running. This means you can get right to generating revenue and raising awareness about what those cuts really mean. Many POD platforms (like Print Your Cause, Printful, and Printify) also offer storefront functionalities, meaning you don't even need to build your own e-commerce website.

The key here is to keep it straightforward and focused.

Here are 3 easy steps to get started:

1. Create Your Products: Brainstorm simple designs that reflect your mission.

   1. Keep it simple with just a few products.

   2. Think about what your supporters would be proud to wear or use (not just throw away!)

1. Launch Your Store: Once your designs are ready, launch a dedicated e-commerce storefront.

2. Get the Word Out: Share your storefront link! Think of adding it to your website menu, your email lists, social media channels, website banners, and any community groups you're a part of. 

Remember, the goal is speed and simplicity to generate immediate impact.

Understanding the Positives and Negatives of Print on Demand

Like any tool, Print on Demand has its advantages and disadvantages.

Positives

• No Shipping Logistics: You don't need to manage packing, tracking, or shipping. The POD provider handles all fulfillment.

• Rapid Launch & Zero Inventory Risk: This is perhaps the biggest advantage in an emergency. You can set up products and a store quickly. Items are only produced when an order is placed, eliminating costly inventory and storage needs.

Negatives

• Higher Per-Item Cost: While there's no upfront inventory cost, the per-item cost for POD merchandise is typically higher than ordering wholesale, which means lower profit margins for each sale.

• Limited Ethical Sourcing Options: Most large-scale POD operations do not prioritize specific ethical sourcing or manufacturing attributes like woman-made, locally made, minority-made, or eco-friendly. If these values are core to your mission, keep this in mind.

• Limited Customization: You're limited to the product blanks offered by the POD provider (like specific t-shirt styles, mug types), which restricts the level of unique customization. This is also the case for the free e-commerce site. There’s a world of possibility outside of POD.

• Does Not Make Sense for Products Sold/Given In Person: If you have an in-person event or a physical location where you want to sell merchandise, POD isn't the most efficient or cost-effective solution.

Tip: Found a winner? Develop a long-term retail strategy. There are brands and products that match your mission and can bring in even more revenue per sale.

Moving Forward

I hope this can be of help, a rapid response to an urgent situation.

Check out my blogs and videos for inspiration. Or, let’s grab coffee to laugh and sigh and “oof” about it all.

When your organization gains more bandwidth and you have the opportunity to think about these products in a longer-term, more strategic way, let's talk. Because mission-driven retail, when thoughtfully approached, can do so much more. It can be incredibly inspiring, strengthen your mission and values in tangible ways, and provide the earned revenue that allows you to be a lifeline for others.

Stay safe out there.

-Melody