KPR fall membership drive exceeds expectations


Wed, 10/12/2016

author

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

LAWRENCE —More than 2,040 KPR listeners helped Kansas Public Radio raise $288,000 during its fall membership drive, the most successful fall drive the station has had to date. This event happened soon after the public radio station received a $100,000 budget cut as a result of state cuts to higher education.

A typical fall fund drive raises $250,000 for the station. News of the budget cut, and a goal set by KPR for 1,000 new and upgrading members, inspired thousands of dollars in new donations and increased donations from existing members.

By the end of the drive, KPR had received 396 new pledges, and 382 existing members increased their gifts. A typical fund drive results in 290 new members

The membership drive began Sept. 20 with more than $81,000 raised through a direct-mail campaign.

“Going into the drive, we knew that it had to surpass previous fall drives by a considerable amount in order to ensure the health of the station,” said Feloniz Lovato-Winston, KPR development director. “Fortunately, our listeners came out in droves to contribute. We are so grateful for their incredible support.”

The overall total does not include challenge grants, in which a company, foundation or individuals will donate money if KPR can raise a certain level of funding during a specific time period. A little over $44,000 was raised through challenge grants. Several challenge grant donors increased their gifts, and KU Endowment employees pooled their funds for a generous challenge grant, which was used on the last morning of the drive.

Even though the on-air portion of the drive is over, listeners can donate anytime at the KPR website: http://kpr.ku.edu/support.

More than 100 volunteers answered phones from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. during the drive. Area restaurants donated meals and beverages for volunteers’ breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.

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 http://kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR2, a news-talk programming stream, which can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s website.

 

Wed, 10/12/2016

author

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

Media Contacts

Feloniz Lovato-Winston

Kansas Public Radio

785-864-5968