I am pleased to present the Foundation’s Annual Report for 2023 and 2024. As those of you who follow NRPF already know, we have gone through a period of transition and renewal over the past few years, and this report discusses some of the Foundation’s changes and strategies going forward. I am excited to introduce this and look forward to sharing more news as we continue our mission to promote and preserve unique, at-risk audio collections that are significant to America’s history!
You can read the full report here, or just continue below to read the Executive Summary!
The National Recording Preservation Foundation (NRPF) promotes and preserves America’s audio heritage—by raising funds and distributing grants to archives, libraries, museums and other non-profit collecting organizations. In 2023 and 2024, the Foundation undertook a strategic re-start and planning, revamped its communications, and supported significant American audio archives through critical preservation grants.
The Foundation receives support from the private sector, academia, and a range of performers and public figures who value NRPF’s continued work to safeguard America’s rich audio history.
Every sound tells a story, and with your help, we can ensure they endure.
Funding Impact
- Distributed $28,350 in preservation grants to support unique and at-risk audio recordings from culturally significant radio stations, to historic recordings of culturally significant American performers and composers, to disaster recovery at repositories of American cultural recordings
Communications and Engagement - Launched the Sound Files podcast to share archived audio collections and spotlight the work of audio preservation professionals
- Expanded support for education and training, including a grants webinar, fiscal support of the 2024 international conference of the International Audiovisual and Sound Archives association (IASA) and new advisors
Strategic Planning and Organizational Refresh
- Ushered in new leadership, welcoming seven new members to the Board of Directors, and the appointment of Dr. Jesse A. Johnston as the Secretary and (pro bono) Executive Director
- Identified strategic goals and updated the Foundation’s bylaws
Looking ahead to 2025, NRPF will focus on three strategic priorities:
- Expanding Audio Preservation Grantmaking: Building resources to increase grants support for critical, basic preservation activities
- Supporting Education and Training: Investing in training and education for current and future audio preservation professionals
- Raising Awareness: Continuing the Sound Files podcast and developing public programming to highlight the importance of audio preservation
About the Foundation
NRPF is an independent non-profit organization with the mission to support and coordinate audio preservation in the United States through preservation grants and related activities. The Foundation’s board of directors is appointed by the Librarian of Congress.
Credits
Photo of the west entrance of the Library of Congress’s Jefferson Building by Vincent Yuan on Unsplash.
