Public radio exceeds fund-raising goals

Hutchinson ? Fall pledge drives are paying better-than-expected dividends for the state’s public radio stations.

“We’re over our goal,” said Liz Willis, development coordinator for KMUW Wichita Public Radio. “Not all of our pledges are in yet, but we’re very pleased. We really thought in the present economy in south-central Kansas that we’d have to hope for the best. But we’re really pleased.”

Willis said the station’s goal was $100,000 — officials actually expected $85,000 — and the fall drive brought in at least $103,000.

High Plains Public Radio, which serves listeners in western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, had its most successful campaign to date, Executive Director Bill Combs said.

The station raised $121,220 in nine days.

And Radio Kansas, which serves communities from WaKeeney to Junction City and from Washington to Wellington, had already exceeded its goal by 5 p.m. Monday. The station’s goal was $300,000, and it had reached almost $302,000 with seven hours to go until the midnight cutoff.

Those pledging to the stations become members, who can request that their funds go toward programs of their choice. Patrons can donate anytime, and those who renew their memberships typically do so by mail before the on-air portion of the drive begins.

In a year where the economy has been down but has recently shown signs of picking up, those in charge of the membership drives were concerned that the stations wouldn’t receive the needed amount of money.

Willis said her station had more volunteers this year, who asked if they could give their time instead of money.

Kansas Public Radio, heard on KANU 91.5 FM, surpassed its $200,000 fund-raising goal. It raised $203,913 for the fall campaign.

Radio Kansas extended its fund-raiser by one day, General Manager David Horning said.

Combs said several listeners contacted the High Plains station to say they weren’t able to contribute at the level they used to.

But donors contributed more on average this year, and the number of new memberships increased.

Public radio is funded by a variety of sources, including the state, local colleges that play host to the stations and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The on-air fund-raisers are twice a year, typically in the last weeks of October and April.