Wertzes' Legacy Fuels Local KCUR Programming
Endowed fund supports programming experienced by more than one million users monthly
Anita and Tom Wertz decided to include KCUR in their estate planning in 2017. They would provide for an endowment fund to support local programming. As a way for them to see the impact of their support before their passing, they were invited — and agreed — to create the endowment at that time with a minimum gift of $25,000.
To be closer to their children and grandchildren, the Wertzes left Kansas City for Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2018. Since then, they have continued to make gifts to their endowment fund increasing both the corpus and annual earnings.
A variety of local programming was supported by the endowment in 2022–23, including KCUR’s three long-running broadcast programs: Up To Date, hosted by Steve Kraske for 22 years; Night Tides, hosted by Renee Blanche, in its 30th year; and The Fish Fry, hosted by Chuck (Haddock) Haddix, now in its 40th year.
Anita and Tom Wertz
The endowment also supports digital content from KCUR Studios, KCUR’s podcast arm, including A People’s History of Kansas City, Kansas City Today, Overlooked and Seeking a Scientist. More than 12,000 episodes were downloaded by 53,138 podcast users.
Their support also helps make possible two digital newsletters: Early Bird and Creative Adventure with 30,000+ subscribers. The content supported by the Wertz Endowment consistently sees a monthly audience of more than one million users.
“Once I found the station and began exploring its offerings,” says Anita, “I discovered poignant, personal stories, wildly funny entertainment and a community of supporters. We chose to focus our giving on local news reporting — a critical asset for any city. KCUR offered me a lifeline. I'm still holding on.”
Chuck Haddix and Renee Blanche at KCUR studio