Kansas Public Radio sets new record during membership drive

Kansas Public Radio listeners powered the station to a record-setting membership drive.

At 8:56 a.m. April 3, pledges from KPR listener-members pushed the total donations past $235,000, the goal KPR set to conclude Campaign for Excellence 2009.

The membership drive began March 27 with more than $107,000 raised through a direct-mail campaign. Eight days later, more than $128,000 was raised through on-air appeals to new and renewing members.

“This was the most successful drive we’ve ever had,” said Development Director Sheri Hamilton. “I think it shows how vital our station has become in the lives of our listeners. They are loyal and generous and literally keep us on the air.”

The first day of the drive featured a “Power Breakfast,” in which an entire day’s fundraising was compressed into just 90 minutes. That raised more than $32,000. In an effort to give listeners more programming and less fundraising, KPR has trimmed on-air fundraising from 99 hours in the fall of 2006 to only 75 1/2 hours this spring.

All funds raised during spring and fall membership drives directly support programming services.

After the numbers were tallied, more than 2,100 listeners had pledged through direct mail, on-air appeals or at KPR’s Web site. That total does not include challenge grants, in which a company or individual will donate money if KPR can raise a certain level of funding during a show. More than $20,000 was raised through challenge grants.

Volunteers answered phones during the eight-day, on-air drive. Phones were staffed from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. by more than 100 volunteers. Area restaurants donated meals and beverages for volunteers’ breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.