KPR wraps up spring membership drive with $376K in pledges


Fri, 04/27/2018

author

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

LAWRENCE – Kansas Public Radio ended its spring membership drive with $376,000 in listener pledges, surpassing the typical spring goal of $280,000. In addition to listener pledges, KPR received $60,000 in challenge grants, which are provided by an individual, company or foundation.

Funds from KPR’s 10-day fundraising campaign, which began April 4, will go directly toward providing programming for KPR’s 118,000 listeners. This is the largest listening audience in the station’s history, and it comes during a fiscal year when the station has had to adjust to a $200,000 budget cut. KPR must now rely on private support for 72 percent of its operating budget. 

The station received pledges from 1,205 listeners, including 416 new and/or sustaining members. On-air fund drives are the only way that the station can acquire the new members that are crucial to the station’s longevity and health. 

During each membership drive, on-air hosts and community guests ask listeners to pledge their donations. 

More than 70 volunteers answered phones from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. during the drive. Area restaurants donated meals and beverages for volunteers’ breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

Although the drive has concluded, listeners can still donate online at kansaspublicradio.org.

Dan Skinner, KPR director, said he is very happy with the outpouring of listener support. “Listeners continue to rally around the station, and we are so grateful. We hope to continue this momentum in the coming fiscal year.”

KPR, a 16-time Kansas Association of Broadcasters Station of the Year, licensed to KU, broadcasts on 91.5 FM and 96.1 FM in Lawrence, 89.7 FM in Emporia, 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City, 89.9 FM in Atchison, 90.3 FM in Chanute, and 99.5 FM and 97.9 FM in Manhattan. KPR can be heard online at kansaspublicradio.org. KPR also operates KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s website, or at 96.1 in Lawrence and 97.9 in Manhattan. 

Fri, 04/27/2018

author

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

Media Contacts

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

Kansas Public Radio

785-864-5968