WASHINGTON, D.C. — The noncommercial media organization devoted to covering the activities of the U.S. Congress created by Brian Lamb has creating a new senior leadership position focused on expanding philanthropic support.
Now in the position of Chief Development Officer at C-SPAN is Adele Hixon-Day.
The appointment, C-SPAN says, marks an important step in its strategy to diversify its sources of financial support and strengthen the organization for the future.
Since its founding in 1979, C-SPAN has been funded primarily through license fees paid by cable, satellite, and streaming companies that deliver its networks to consumers.
“As the media and distribution landscape rapidly changes, C-SPAN is building a broader base of philanthropic support to complement that longstanding industry funding and sustain its public-service mission for decades to come,” C-SPAN said.
C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist elaborated, “For decades, the cable and satellite, and recently the streaming industry has made C-SPAN’s unique public service possible, and that support remains vitally important. At the same time, we need to broaden the community of individuals and organizations invested in C-SPAN and its future. Adele has the experience, energy and vision to help us build that next chapter.”
As Chief Development Officer, Hixon-Day will lead C-SPAN’s philanthropic strategy, building relationships with foundations, major donors and individual supporters who share C-SPAN’s commitment to providing Americans direct, unfiltered and nonpartisan access to their government and the political process.
She will also help develop philanthropic support for priorities including C-SPAN’s journalism, civic education, digital innovation and preservation and modernization of its extensive video archive.
Hixon-Day’s prior roles include serving as Chief Advancement Officer at the Smithsonian Institution and as Vice President of Development at the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
“C-SPAN occupies a truly unique place in American civic life, and I’m excited to help strengthen that public service for the future,” said Hixon-Day. “There is a tremendous opportunity to connect people and organizations who care about democracy, civic education and access to trusted information with C-SPAN’s mission. I look forward to expanding the community of supporters who will help C-SPAN continue to serve the American people.”
C-SPAN receives no government funding.
