Building Your Passport Action Plan: How to raise Passport eligibility thoughtfully—without unintended donor disruption

Many stations are feeling pressure to move toward a higher Passport eligibility amount—but aren’t always sure what actually needs to change and what doesn’t.

Join Public Media experts Debbie Merlino, EVP, Client Relationships and Sarah Tron, Staff Augmentation Manager, where they’ll offer practical guidance on this change.

This session is designed to help you take the necessary steps to put this change in motion in a thoughtful, logical way, and minimize any disruptions.

We discussed and provided guidance on:

• How to market Passport and the higher entry amount
• What to ask for on your donation pages
• What you change (or don’t change) in the Gateway

We walk through common scenarios stations are navigating today and help you choose a path that aligns with your stations’ goals, donors, your systems, and your internal capacity—without creating unnecessary risk.

This is not about “one right answer.” It’s about making an informed one. Watch the recording to build a Passport action plan that works for your station—not against it.

Hosted By

Debbie Merlino

EVP, Client Relationships

Debbie Merlino serves as Executive Vice President of Client Relationships at AGP, bringing decades of experience helping nonprofits identify growth opportunities and navigate complex challenges. A trusted strategist and advisor, Debbie is known for pairing high‑level vision with practical, hands‑on execution to deliver programs that are measurable, actionable, and sustainable. She brings deep expertise in the public media as well as arts & culture space and a collaborative, mission‑first approach that makes her a valued partner to both clients and colleagues—along with a well‑known sense of humor.