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Meet Jennifer Armstrong, WGLT's Director Of Individual Giving

Jennifer Armstrong

One of our newest faces at WGLT is Jennifer Armstrong, our director of individual giving. Jennifer joined WGLT earlier this year, after Pat Peterson's retirement.

Jennifer's job is to form and strengthen relationships with individual community members who support WGLT—and to find new supporters who want to make their first contribution. She also plays a key role in our fund drives.

Jennifer has more than 20 years of experience working in arts administration and grants management at the local, state and national levels. We asked Jennifer to share a bit more about herself and what drew her to public radio.

Why did you want to work for WGLT?

Throughout my career, I have chosen to work within organizations and institutions that contribute something valuable to our world. I applied to WGLT because I wanted to be part of something that makes our community and our lives better. I appreciate that WGLT has a long award-winning history and reputation for quality, and that it is part of a larger strong educational institution. The entire team at WGLT is remarkable in their talents and dedication to delivering an important and unique service that contributes to the culture of the Bloomington-Normal area. The leadership has exciting forward-thinking visions for where we can go next, and I’m thankful to be part of making it happen.

Why is nonprofit journalism so important in Bloomington-Normal?

As a not-for-profit entity, WGLT is not serving shareholders or CEO salaries, but those who count on the service. We are not focused on profit, but on serving the public. WGLT is part of Illinois State University, a public institution, which also means we have a high degree of transparency. Our journalists’ in-depth investigative reporting is trustworthy. Our news team does not answer to commercial entities; they have editorial and creative independence. The stories are unbiased, nonpartisan and fact driven.

What is your favorite program on WGLT?

I really appreciate learning more about what is going on in Bloomington-Normal and around the state, so at the top of my list are The 21st and Sound Ideas. I also love the weekend NPR programs like the Hidden Brain and Wait Wait. To top it off, our music programming with World Café and Highway 309 provide me with my ideal playlists.

What have you learned about WGLT’s contributors—and why they give—in the past 4 months?

WGLT contributors are loyal fans. They value the quality and variety of service we provide. They like being part of a community of believers in commercial-free local journalism and want to expand their knowledge beyond the headlines via the NPR news programs. WGLT supporters enjoy smart NPR entertainment and our distinctive music programming. Our listeners and readers also appreciate the many ways they can access WGLT – radio, podcast, NPR One, streaming, social media, and website. Our supporters believe WGLT is an irreplaceable asset for our community, want to see it thrive, and demonstrate their commitment by making a contribution.

When you’re not at WGLT, what do you do for fun?

After a career in several other cities, I am finally back “home” and enjoying more time with my family. I have friends and family across central Illinois, Chicago and Milwaukee, so I make time for short trips to catch up with them. Travel and exploring new places are always enriching for my soul. Whether it is road trips to national parks out west, international cultural explorations, or quick escapes from winter, I crave moments of awe and wonder. I love watching live music, theatre and dance. I’m pleased to have a variety of cultural offerings here in McLean County and surrounding region. Let me know if there is something I MUST see or do!

You can contact Jennifer via email or (309) 438-3581.