New England Public Radio Closing in on Fiscal Year End Goals

[Thursday, June 16, 2011] AMHERST, MA. New England Public Radio will make a final push to balance its budget by the end of its fiscal year which concludes on June 30, 2011. The station aims to raise $258,000 during its year-end fund drive, in order to hit a projected goal of $1,750,000 in individual contributions for the year (July 1, 2010 - June 30, 2011). The on-air fund drive, which begins tomorrow, will wrap on June 25.

Local business underwriting revenue is expected to meet its projected goal of $1,285,000 for the year. Over 300 businesses from across western New England support New England Public Radio each year. "It's critical that New England Public Radio balance its budget by June 30 every year, in order to continue to serve the region with the best in public radio programming," said CEO and General Manager Martin Miller. "We're constantly working to improve the services we offer, and that takes money," he continued. "We count on the generosity of thousands of listeners who make financial contributions to ensure
that WFCR and WNNZ remain strong."

A Special Partnership Helps Tornado Victims

During the nine day June Fund Drive, New England Public Radio will partner with The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and PeoplesBank to raise funds to support relief efforts in the wake of the June 1 tornadoes. For the duration of the drive, PeoplesBank will match every pledge made to WFCR and WNNZ with a $10 donation to the Community Foundation's Tornado Relief Fund, up to $25,000.

Funds raised will support local organizations that have either been directly impacted or are providing services to tornado victims.

"New England Public Radio reaches over 170,000 listeners each week on 88.5FM WFCR and AM 640 all-news WNNZ," said Cathy Ives, Executive Director of Development at New England Public Radio. "This partnership gives our listeners a very simple way to make a big impact in our community, while at the same time, ensuring the future of WFCR and WNNZ as the region's premiere public radio service."

"The Community Foundation is pleased to be able to partner once again with New England Public Radio, and is grateful to PeoplesBank for their generosity in supporting Pioneer Valley tornado victims with these matching funds. We know from our previous partnerships with New England Public Radio that their listeners are concerned members of their community who have been very generous in helping their neighbors in western Massachusetts," said Ron Ancrum, President of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.

Supporting New England Public Radio with a pledge

Ninety percent of New England Public Radio's operating budget comes from the support of the community through underwriting and individual giving. To make a contribution, visit the station's secure pledge page at https://secure.publicbroadcasting.net/wfcr/default/form.pledgemain or call 1-800-639-8850. Listeners are encouraged to make their contributions by credit card in order to ensure that the gift is received before the close of the fiscal year.