The Ryan Foundation donated $150,000 to VSS Catholic Communications Inc. in June of 2021.
VSS Catholic Communications operates the Spirit Catholic Radio Network, which is a listener-supported 501(c)(3) Catholic radio station with studio locations in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska. Their network broadcasts throughout Nebraska and parts of western Iowa. Programming heard on Spirit Catholic Radio is a mix of locally-produced shows and national Catholic radio programs.
Spirit Catholic Radio went on the air in Omaha in January 1999 with limited resources and a mission of evangelization. Today, the radio station continues to evangelize through its studio location in Omaha, remote studio in the Diocese of Grand Island office, a professional staff and nearly 300 volunteers. Spirit Catholic Radio reaches over 75 percent of the state of Nebraska’s population with six network signals, nine affiliate signals and the entire state through live online broadcasting and a free smartphone app.
The donation will support the new programming initiative at the Spirit Catholic Radio Network in Omaha. The new programming would have a national impact (distributed by the EWTN Network to over 400 stations across the US). The funds will be used to hire a Chief Programming Officer to oversee the development of this endeavor.
The Spirit Catholic Radio Network was a favorite of Eileen Ryan. She would regularly tune in to pray the rosary and listen to other programming. When she moved to West Omaha, she began having trouble getting a proper signal from her favorite station, so she contacted the organization to offer help in expanding their reach. Dr. and Mrs. Ryan shared a belief in the values and teachings of the Catholic Church and always gave back to those Catholic organizations that helped them or that needed their help. The Ryan Foundation previously donated $36,000 to VSS Catholic Communications in 2020.
To learn more about VSS Catholic Communications, and the Spirit Catholic Radio Network, please visit their website.