Minimum monthly donation increasing from $5 to $8 on January 1, 2026 (or $96 annually)
What’s changing
The Passport streaming benefits, the required minimum donation will change from $5/month ($60/year) to $8/month ($96/year). This change will be applied automatically beginning January 1, 2026 for monthly sustainers and annual donors at the time of renewal. If you already give at a higher level, you will not see any change to your gift or Passport access.
Why this change
The Federal rescissions signed into law in July of this year reduced East Tennessee PBS’s annual budget by nearly 30%, placing real strain on the work we do for our community. We have tightened expenses across the station and sought out every possible efficiency, but we cannot close this gap without some help from those who value our service. Adjusting the Passport minimum — our first increase in almost ten years — is one of the difficult but necessary steps to ensure we can continue bringing you trusted programs, classroom resources, and local stories. We make this change reluctantly and with deep gratitude for your continued support, which makes everything we do possible.
Your options
- Lock in the current $60 annual rate by prepaying before January 1, 2026 — even if you are a current sustainer. We’re happy to help convert your gift.
- Remain a monthly sustainer, and your contribution will adjust to $8/month on January 1, 2026. Your Passport access will continue uninterrupted.
- Annual donors who give at the $60 minimum will automatically move to $96 at the time of their annual renewal.
- If you have questions about your giving level or Passport access, contact us.
We’re here to help
Contact Gary Ellis at 865-595-0239 or gellis@easttennesseepbs.org.
Our team can answer questions, assist in locking in the current rate, and make sure your Passport access continues smoothly.
Thank you
We are deeply grateful for your generosity. Your support keeps trusted programs accessible for everyone in East Tennessee—from classroom resources for teachers to local documentaries and community health information.
Thank you for standing with East Tennessee PBS.