KU News Release

Kansas Public Radio spring membership drive nets $220,000 in pledges

LAWRENCE — Kansas Public Radio earned more in pledges in less time this spring than in any other membership drive in the past 10 years.

At 6:02 p.m. March 29 pledges from KPR listener-members pushed the total donations past $220,000, the goal KPR set to conclude the Campaign For Excellence 2007.

The membership drive began March 23 with more than $106,000 raised through a direct-mail campaign. Eight days later, more than $114,000 was raised through on-air appeals to new and renewing members.

“This has been the most successful and the shortest drive we’ve ever had,” said Janet Campbell, director of KPR. “We couldn’t have done this without the great KPR staff, our guests, volunteers and business supporters, but it’s our listener-members who really power the membership drive.”

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

After the numbers were tallied Friday morning, 268 new members had pledged their support, 1,480 listeners had renewed their memberships and $220,190 had been pledged through direct mail, on-air appeals or 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 $21,000 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.-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 also can be heard on its Web site. KPR also operates KPR-2, a news-talk channel on high-definition radio. Those broadcasts can be heard on a high-definition 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.