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Cascade Public Media
Also known as Cascade PBS KCTS9 KCTS9ORG Crosscut Crosscutcom Channel 9
Cascade Public Media reported $53.1 million in revenue and $31.7 million in expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. Of every $100 it spent, $70.24 went to program services, $11.96 to management and general costs and $17.80 to fundraising. Its largest source of revenue was contributions and grants: 85.7% of the total. The highest compensation it reported for one person was $595,989 (PRESIDENT/CEO). 24 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation. Revenue rose 135% between FY2020 and FY2025. Source: Form 990, FY2025.
Where $100 of spending went
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part IX, line 25 · total expenses $32MFor context, the median across 876 covered arts, culture & humanities charities: $79.98 programs, $13.89 management, $6.13 fundraising (medians computed separately, so they may not sum to $100).
Where $100 of revenue came from
The fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 · Form 990, Part VIII · total revenue $53MThe 990 scorecard · same measures for every charity, no grades
| Measure | FY2025 | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Program services Part IX 25(B) ÷ 25(A) | 70.2% | 78.5% |
| Management & general Part IX 25(C) ÷ 25(A) | 12.0% | 13.6% |
| Fundraising Part IX 25(D) ÷ 25(A) | 17.8% | 6.0% |
| Fundraising cost per $1 of contributions Part IX 25(D) ÷ Part VIII 1h | $0.12 | $0.10 |
| Contributions & grants share of revenue Part VIII 1h ÷ 12 | 85.7% | 57.5% |
| Government grants share of revenue Part VIII 1e ÷ 12 | 0.1% | 1.7% |
| Program service revenue share Part VIII 2g ÷ 12 | 0.9% | 20.8% |
| Highest reported compensation Part VII-A, columns D–F | $595,989 | $385,706 |
| Highest compensation as share of expenses Part VII-A ÷ Part IX 25(A) | 1.88% | 2.03% |
| People paid over $100,000 Part VII, line 2 | 24 | 8 |
| Net assets, in months of expenses Part X 33(B) ÷ monthly expenses | 45.4 | 36.6 |
| Independent voting board members Part VI 1a–1b | 22 of 22 | 100.0% |
A median is context, not a target: hospitals, universities, food banks and grantmakers spend in very different ways. What these measures can and can't tell you.
What the money paid for, in its own words
FY2025 · Form 990, Part III · the three largest programs by expenseProgramming and content creationcascade Public Media produces, acquires, and distributes high-quality factual, cultural and community centered programming for people of all ages across the pacific northwest. Its non-commercial programming slate includes local, national, and international news science and nature history and culture arts and performance independent documentary, international drama and children's programming
Program information and promotioncascade Public Media provides updates and announcements about our local news, programming, and events through many communication channels including on-air, e-mail, social media, event listings, community partnerships and website postings. All of these outreach activities are intended to raise awareness, deepen engagement and maximize the impact of our programs and initiatives
Broadcastcascade Public Media offers 24/7 noncommercial program distribution services across four linear channels of programming - Cascade Public Media: general interest public television create: how-to and lifestyle shows world: non-fiction, news, science and documentary content and pbs kids: curriculum-based shows designed to build basic skills in subjects such as math, science and reading
Highest reported compensation
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section A · roles as filed; names are in the filing, not here| Role | From this org | From related orgs | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PRESIDENT/CEO Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $554,921 | $0 | $41,068 | $595,989 |
| SENIOR VP/COO Key employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $275,958 | $0 | $30,807 | $306,765 |
| VP OF MEDIA AND INNOVATION Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $218,077 | $0 | $19,955 | $238,032 |
| CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Key employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $188,688 | $0 | $17,537 | $206,225 |
| EXECUTIVE EDITOR Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $185,390 | $0 | $19,729 | $205,119 |
| VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $185,375 | $0 | $19,369 | $204,744 |
| VP/CFO Officer, 50.00 hrs/week | $173,600 | $0 | $18,290 | $191,890 |
| VP AND CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Highest compensated employee, 50.00 hrs/week | $167,292 | $0 | $12,505 | $179,797 |
24 people received more than $100,000 in reportable compensation from Cascade Public Media (Part VII, line 2). Compensation of current officers, directors and key employees totaled $1.4M (Part IX, line 5).
6 years of filings
Form 990, Parts I, VII, IX and X · each row is that year's own filing, linkedGovernance answers, as filed
FY2025 · the organization's own yes/no answers; explanations, if any, are in Schedule O of the filing · what each means- Voting board members, and how many are independent Part VI, lines 1a–1b22 · 22 independent
- Audited financial statements Part XII 2bYes
- Conflict-of-interest policy Part VI 12aYes
- Whistleblower policy Part VI 13Yes
- Document retention policy Part VI 14Yes
- Independent process for top executive pay Part VI 15aYes
- Board given the 990 before filing Part VI 11aYes
- Family or business ties among insiders Part VI 2No
- Aware of a significant diversion of assets Part VI 5No
- Excess benefit transaction with an insider Part IV 25aNo
- Loans to or from insiders outstanding Part IV 26No
- Lobbying, or a 501(h) election in effect Part IV 4Yes
- Over $15,000 of professional fundraising services Part IV 18Yes
- Over $10,000 of activity outside the U.S. Part IV 14bYes
- Employees Part I, line 5185
- Volunteers Part I, line 6170
Largest outside contractors
FY2025 · Form 990, Part VII, Section B · businesses only| ABBOTT CONSTRUCTION LLC General contractor | $3,556,760 |
| ALLEGIANCE FUNDRAISING LLC Printing and mailing | $925,050 |
| MEDIA MANAGEMENT Contract service | $232,439 |
| CONSOLIDATED PRESS LLC Printing service | $199,330 |
| DIRECT CONNECT GROUP Printing service | $118,373 |
Individuals listed as contractors are left out. 6 contractors were paid more than $100,000 in all.
Private foundation grants it received
28 private foundations reported grants to Cascade Public Media totaling $2.2M on their tax year 2023 Form 990-PF returns. See which foundations, on WHOFUNDS.
Source: WHOFUNDS open grant graph, matched from Form 990-PF Part XV.
Correct a figure or respond
Every number above is copied from Cascade Public Media's own Form 990. If one doesn't match the filing, that's our error and we'll fix it. If you work for Cascade Public Media, you can publish a response that is linked from this page.
Share or embed this breakdown
Of every $100 Cascade Public Media spent in FY2025, $70.24 went to programs. The full breakdown, from its IRS Form 990:
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Similar-sized charities in this cause
- National Trust for Local NewsBrighton, CO · revenue $53M · programs 96.6% · 2024
- Corporation of the Fine Arts MuseumsSan Francisco, CA · revenue $53M · programs 79.9% · FY2025
- Oregon Shakespeare Festival AssociationAshland, OR · revenue $53M · programs 72.2% · FY2025
- Walker Art CenterMinneapolis, MN · revenue $54M · programs 66.7% · FY2025
- WhyyPhiladelphia, PA · revenue $53M · programs 75.0% · FY2025
All arts, culture & humanities charities · Largest charities in Washington
Questions people ask
How much of Cascade Public Media's spending goes to programs?
In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, Cascade Public Media reported that 70.2% of its $31.7 million in expenses went to program services, 12.0% to management and general and 17.8% to fundraising (Form 990, Part IX).
How much does Cascade Public Media pay its top executive?
The largest total compensation Cascade Public Media reported for one person in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025 was $595,989, for the role of PRESIDENT/CEO (Form 990, Part VII, including compensation from related organizations and other compensation).
Where does Cascade Public Media get its money?
Of $53.1 million in revenue in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, 85.7% came from contributions and grants (including 0.1% from government grants) and 0.9% from program service revenue (Form 990, Part VIII).
Is Cascade Public Media a registered charity?
The IRS lists EIN 91-1221895 as a 501(c)(3) organization (publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(a)(vi))), and its records show contributions as tax-deductible. Form 990 filings on record here cover tax years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024. A filing shows what the organization reported; it doesn't by itself show whether a program works.
Sources
- FY2025: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, object 202610859349301666 · read the filing · XML
- FY2024: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, object 202540929349300039 · read the filing
- FY2023: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, object 202400729349301225 · read the filing
- FY2022: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, object 202340799349300019 · read the filing
- FY2021: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, object 202231329349303238 · read the filing
- FY2020: Form 990 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, object 202141309349303184 · read the filing
All filings for EIN 91-1221895: ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer · IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Figures are as the organization reported them; we have not audited them.