Uncertain Funding Calls for Higher Fundraising Goal at Utah Public Radio
Utah Public Radio, an affiliated service of Utah State University based in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, launches its spring on-air fundraising pledge drive beginning with Web Pledge Day Tuesday, April 12, and continuing Saturday, April 16, through Saturday, April 23.
The pledge drive theme of “Hit and Quit” comes with a larger fund-raising goal than ever before: $120,000.
With the uncertainty of future federal funding, which provides nearly 58 percent of UPR’s annual program costs, the statewide radio station has raised the goal to preserve and expand quality programming, according to UPR’s Development Directory Bryan Earl.
“Each year we evaluate the cost of producing programs,” Earl said. “UPR must purchase programs, including NPR’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered. We help pay the cost of having NPR reporters on location worldwide while fully funding the cost of producing programs from Logan to St. George.”
A bill cutting federal funding for public broadcasting, including radio, waits to be reviewed by the U.S. Senate. The measure has been passed by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Earl said it is important to understand that financial support for public broadcasting also helps provide funding for programs distributed by public radio networks American Public Media and Public Radio International as well as independent producers — programs like Performance Today, A Prairie Home Companion, BBC News, This American Life, To the Best of Our Knowledge and the Beethoven Satellite Network.
UPR must consider possible cuts and secure program funds through pledges from listeners who enjoy and benefit from UPR programming since listener support remains UPR’s most reliable source of funding, Earl said.
“If we don’t receive federal funding, our ability to expand programming will be curtailed and some of our listeners’ favorite programs will be severely affected,” said Victor Hogstrom, UPR’s general manager. “We aim to keep up our on-air appeals until we reach our goal. As soon as we reach it, we’ll return to regular programming. The drive is in our listeners’ hands.”
Pledges support costs associated with program production and broadcast delivery, including UPR’s news coverage and Access Utah.
“We want to become what our name says — ‘Utah Public Radio,’” Earl said. “We want to cover the news and events happening throughout the state, and that is hard without money.”
Those who make financial contributions become UPR members.
“We want listeners to know their pledges make a big difference,” Earl said. “Financial pledges help public radio continue to grow and improve.”
Pledges can be made through the UPR website or by telephone, 435-797-3138. Listeners who make a pledge may receive “thank you” gifts, such as a membership card with state dining and shopping discounts, a UPR art coffee mug, a digital HD radio with docking station and more. For more information about making a financial pledge or the pledge drive, contact Bryan Earl, 435-797-3107 or bryan.earl@usu.edu.
Related links:
USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Source: Utah Public Radio
Contact: Bryan Earl, (435) 797-3107, bryan.earl@usu.edu
Original artwork graces the UPR mug for the spring 2011 drive.
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