If you read just one post about this year’s fundraising drive, please make it this one.

As you’ve probably heard before, KCR runs on a very modest budget of $120,000 per year. This covers our mortgage, utility costs, taxes, wages, and a whole host of other expenses we need to cover. We’re lucky that we have nearly 100 committed volunteers who work hard to bring you 60+ hours of original live radio each week, meaning we can operate on such a small budget.

In order to hit this target of $120,000 each year, we rely on a mishmash of grants, sponsorships, and donations from listeners like yourself. Each of these funding pillars is crucial to our survival, and require considerable work to make happen. And of course, it mostly happens thanks to the work of volunteers who work behind the scenes. 

Membership income makes up almost one-third of the station’s operational budget, making the annual drive very important when it comes to maintaining the quality of broadcasting at the station, and this year’s drive is of particular importance.

Our year-end is June 30 and we are most definitely headed for a significant deficit.

Based on current projections our revenues for this fiscal year are expected to come in around $100,000. So we’re looking at a shortfall of about $20,000 – and that shortfall already assumes we will reach our fundraising goal of $25,000.

AND we expect some additional expenses related to the long-awaited new transmitter at Elephant Mountain. AND programmers can tell you the broadcasting board in Studio A is running on duct tape and borrowed time.

How did we get in this position?

In broad terms, the past year presented us with a number of challenges. We saw a complete turnover of our two-person part-time staff, which required considerable volunteer attention to support the transition to new staff. We also had a significant gap in the revenues we get from our sponsors. As a result, our current financial situation is far from ideal.

What does this mean for KCR and for you? We are not about to bounce cheques or go off the air. Yes, the path we’re on is perilous but we can change that with your help.

So what are we asking? First off, if you have already jumped in with your 2019 support — thank you.

If you’re a monthly donor, please consider increasing your support from your existing level by $5 per month – or whatever suits your budget.

As an option, consider a one-time donation in any amount.

Talk to friends and family. Encourage them to become a supporter of this unique voice in the Kootenays and beyond.

If you have let your membership lapse, or haven’t made a contribution in the past few years, please make this the year you renew, or make a one-time donation.

We are currently working to completely redevelop our sponsorship department, which should get us back in black soon, but for now, we need your help. We need your energy and advocacy this month and – to be honest – for the balance of this year to help us stabilize our finances.

Remember folks, we can’t do what we do without your support. If you value the unique sound of Kootenay Co-op Radio, please give us a hand. Any amount helps. You can donate by clicking on the button below.

Donate to KCR