WASHINGTON, D.C. — NPR has received $113 million in charitable gifts to fund digital innovation and support public radio stations following the elimination of federal funding for public media. The two donations rank among the largest in the public media network's history.

Connie Ballmer contributed $80 million toward ensuring NPR transforms its technology to meet the needs and serve the interests of public media audiences on any platforms or devices. A separate anonymous donor gave $33 million to build and acquire tools and services that will be shared with public media organizations across the nation. Ballmer and her husband, former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, have given away more than $3 billion in recent years.

The gifts come after the Republican-led Congress voted along party lines last summer to rescind $1.1 billion in federal funding that had already been approved for public media, under pressure from President Trump. The vote ended a tradition of bipartisan support for public broadcasting that had lasted more than a half-century.

The loss of federal funding affected public media organizations unevenly. The average public radio station lost about 10% of its annual budget, while the average public television station and PBS lost about 15%. NPR itself lost about 1% to 2% of its annual budget. The elimination of federal funds forced widespread layoffs across the public media system.

NPR does not own any radio stations but has more than 240 full NPR News member stations, with hundreds of other stations carrying some NPR content. In response to the financial strain on local broadcasters, NPR eased the fees it charges stations to carry its major news programs and offered assistance in fundraising, marketing, and other endeavors.

A separate venture called Public Media Infrastructure was also launched to provide related services and compete with NPR's support offerings. That initiative includes New York Public Radio, the American Public Media Group, the National Federation for Community Broadcasters, and the Station Resource Group.

The $113 million in new funding is designated to fuel innovation in NPR's digital technology, increase its connection with audiences, and ensure the viability of public radio stations after the loss of federal support. NPR announced the gifts after the federal funding cuts took effect.