KU News Release

Kansas Public Radio sets fundraising record with more than $220,000

LAWRENCE — Kansas Public Radio listener-members helped the station set a fundraising record this week.

At 7:59 a.m. Oct. 20 pledges from Kansas Public Radio listener-members pushed the total donations past $220,000, the goal KPR set to conclude Fall Fanfare 2006. That donation total is the highest the station has ever raised during a membership drive.

The membership drive began Oct. 13 with more than $75,000 raised through a direct-mail campaign. Eight days later, more than $145,000 was raised through on-air appeals to new and renewing members.

“I can’t thank our listeners and listener-members enough,” said Janet Campbell, KPR general manager. “Their generosity never ceases to amaze me. We promise to make good use of these funds and continue to provide the high-quality programs they expect and demand.”

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

After the numbers were tallied Friday morning, 370 new members had pledged their support, 1,441 listeners had renewed their membership and $220,350 had been pledged through direct mail, on-air appeals or KPR’s Web page. 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. Almost $30,000 was raised through challenge grants.

More than 100 people volunteered to answer phones during the eight-day on-air drive. Phones were staffed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Area restaurants donated meals and beverages for volunteers’ breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

KPR, licensed to the University of Kansas, broadcasts on KANU 91.5 FM in Lawrence, KANH 89.7 FM in Emporia, KANV 91.3 FM in Olsburg-Junction City and K210CR 89.9 FM in Atchison. KPR can be heard on the Internet at kpr.ku.edu. KPR also operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on HD Radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on an HD receiver or on KPR’s Web site.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.