New England Public Radio Balances Annual Budget, Increases Underwriting Revenue

New England Public Radio (WFCR and all-news WNNZ) concluded its fiscal year on June 30 with a balanced budget. The station raised $1,754,960 from individual contributors, and $1,345,000 in underwriting from the local business community, up $118,000 from the previous fiscal year. Individual donations were level with the previous year.  

 "We're very encouraged by the increase in underwriting this year on both WFCR and WNNZ," said CEO & General Manager, Martin Miller. "Ninety percent of our operating budget comes from community support, and we rely on contributions from individuals to keep both stations on the air. We hope that our listeners see the value in the services we provide, and are compelled to contribute in support of their listening." 

 Three on-air fund drives over the course of the year helped the station seek contributions from listeners, including two unique community partnerships: the third "Feed Your Radio, Feed a Family," campaign (June 20 - 27), and "Root for Your Radio: Make a Pledge Plant a Tree" (February 24 - March 3).  "New England Public Radio is pleased to work with community partners to both raise funds for the station's operating budget, and leverage that support to do good in another area of the community," said Miller. "Both of this year's community campaigns were successful examples of how New England Public Radio can use its wide listener base to benefit the community in different ways."   

 In June, "Feed Your Radio, Feed a Family," which helps local food banks secure food for hungry families, returned to the airwaves.  For two years, New England Public Radio has partnered with donors to the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts to provide 20 meals to the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for each pledge to the station. In its third year, the partnership was expanded to include Foodshare of Hartford, and a group of Connecticut donors. Always popular with the station's contributing listeners, "Feed Your Radio, Feed a Family" raised $309,360 in support of WFCR and WNNZ and supplied 119,600 meals to The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and Foodshare.       

 Earlier in the year, "Root for Your Radio (February 24 - March 3), a partnership with The Connecticut River Watershed Council along with dozens of area environmental organizations, local nurseries and donors, helped to replant trees in areas effected by the damage caused by the tornadoes, tropical storm Irene and the historic October snowstorm in 2011. For every pledge made in support of New England Public Radio, a tree was planted by one of the area environmental organizations. A total of $261,150 was raised in support of WFCR and WNNZ and 2,667 trees were planted in Springfield, Holyoke, Amherst, South River, and Colrain, Massachusetts, Middletown, Connecticut and Bethel, Vermont this spring.  

 While many wait for an on-air drive, or a reminder to arrive in the mail, listeners can make their annual contribution to support New England Public Radio anytime of year by calling 1.800.639.8850, or visiting the station's secure pledge page, http://www.nepr.net/contribute 

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New England Public Radio

88.5FM WFCR | AM640 and 91.7FM all-news WNNZ

Hampshire House | 131 County Circle | Amherst, Massachusetts  01003
413.545.0100 |  nepr.net   

New England Public Radio is a premiere public broadcasting organization that delivers exceptional news, information, music, and cultural programming on air and online to listeners in New England and beyond.  New England Public Radio combines the best of NPR, other national public programming, and signature local programming to serve longtime News and Music devotees, and serious News and Talk consumers.

WFCR can also be heard in the Berkshires at the following frequencies: 101.1FM (Adams/North Adams); 98.7FM (Great Barrington); 98.3FM (Lee); 106.1FM (Pittsfield); and 96.3FM (Williamstown).