2008 Woodie Awards
KUAF's spring fundraiser raises money for operational costs
Anna Nguyen
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Life & Style
For the past seven days, KUAF 91.3, a public radio station licensed to the UA, has conducted its annual spring fundraiser in hopes of raising an eight-day goal of $140,000 and 500 new members. The campaign began on Saturday, April 5 and will end at 9 p.m. tomorrow.
The station has been broadcasting since 1973, and KUAF became a National Public Radio affiliate in 1985. The station has been at maximum power at 100,000 watts since 2001, according to the brochure.
KUAF is comprised of 3,500 members and local underwriters who provide about 70 percent of the station's total operating budget. To maintain the stability of the funding and operation costs, the station seeks the aid of listeners by hosting two fundraisers every year.
"We depend on listeners for our annual budget," said Rick Stockdell, the station manager. Stockdell, who has been working at KUAF for 28 years, said the station has experienced financial difficulties, such as the cut of federal and local money, but the "listeners never disappoint," he said.
Combined with the $140,000 raised last year, the funds will provide almost one-quarter of KUAF's $1.2 million annual budget, Stockdell said in the press release.
"Because it is a public radio station, there are no commercials from companies," said membership director Leigh Wood. "It is completely funded by listeners."
During the eight-day event, the station asks listeners to donate money. If they agree to provide a donation, they make a pledge and remit payment in the form of a check or a credit card, Wood said.
Wood also hopes to recruit new members "who are going to give [the station] their first gift," she said.
At the time of the interview, the fundraiser has raised $51,000 and recruited 170 new members, Wood said.
Volunteers of about 75 people help the station with the campaign by answering phones and taking payments and pledges. Many area restaurants have contributed food and refreshments to feed volunteers throughout the campaign, according to the press release.
KUAF has a weekly audience of more than 50,000 and broadcasts throughout northwest Arkansas, and into southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma and the River Valley, according to the press release.
NPR is the only kind of media that has an increase in listeners, said Wood. The main listeners are between the ages of 35 to 65, she said.
"I think when people begin to be more aware of news, they'll listen to NPR," Wood said. "[NPR] keeps it independent and [provides] unbiased news, and we do not rely on corporate businesses.
In addition, the station is also launching a capital campaign for a new building, which will cost $1.5 million, Stockdell said.
"[The capital campaign] will be separate from this fundraiser," he said. "This is an extra challenge beyond normal fundraising for operations."
The station has been broadcasting since 1973, and KUAF became a National Public Radio affiliate in 1985. The station has been at maximum power at 100,000 watts since 2001, according to the brochure.
KUAF is comprised of 3,500 members and local underwriters who provide about 70 percent of the station's total operating budget. To maintain the stability of the funding and operation costs, the station seeks the aid of listeners by hosting two fundraisers every year.
"We depend on listeners for our annual budget," said Rick Stockdell, the station manager. Stockdell, who has been working at KUAF for 28 years, said the station has experienced financial difficulties, such as the cut of federal and local money, but the "listeners never disappoint," he said.
Combined with the $140,000 raised last year, the funds will provide almost one-quarter of KUAF's $1.2 million annual budget, Stockdell said in the press release.
"Because it is a public radio station, there are no commercials from companies," said membership director Leigh Wood. "It is completely funded by listeners."
During the eight-day event, the station asks listeners to donate money. If they agree to provide a donation, they make a pledge and remit payment in the form of a check or a credit card, Wood said.
Wood also hopes to recruit new members "who are going to give [the station] their first gift," she said.
At the time of the interview, the fundraiser has raised $51,000 and recruited 170 new members, Wood said.
Volunteers of about 75 people help the station with the campaign by answering phones and taking payments and pledges. Many area restaurants have contributed food and refreshments to feed volunteers throughout the campaign, according to the press release.
KUAF has a weekly audience of more than 50,000 and broadcasts throughout northwest Arkansas, and into southern Missouri, eastern Oklahoma and the River Valley, according to the press release.
NPR is the only kind of media that has an increase in listeners, said Wood. The main listeners are between the ages of 35 to 65, she said.
"I think when people begin to be more aware of news, they'll listen to NPR," Wood said. "[NPR] keeps it independent and [provides] unbiased news, and we do not rely on corporate businesses.
In addition, the station is also launching a capital campaign for a new building, which will cost $1.5 million, Stockdell said.
"[The capital campaign] will be separate from this fundraiser," he said. "This is an extra challenge beyond normal fundraising for operations."
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