Funding Facts

WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM

WEKU’s annual budget of approximately $1.2 million is funded by Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), our listeners, corporate underwriters, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).

The chart above shows the percentage that each source provides to keep WEKU on the air. Please note that next to EKU, listeners are our largest and most important group of funders. Back To Top

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

Of that $1.2 million -- $775,000 pays salaries and benefits for our 12 full-time and 4 part-time staff members; $375,000 purchases programming; and $50,000 covers general operating costs. Back To Top

ABOUT WEKU

WEKU is licensed to Eastern Kentucky University. In addition to the generous financial support listed above, EKU provides in-kind/non-cash contributions necessary to operate the station.

WEKU’s goal is to increase the amount of support we receive from our listeners and underwriters and decrease our reliance on EKU funding, because a more diverse funding mix makes for a stronger base of support. We’re here today because of the generosity of past contributors. If you have yet to give, please add your name to our list of funders and help insure our future.

If you would like to know even more about WEKU, please contact Station Manager Roger Duvall – Roger.Duvall@eku.edu or at 859 622 1662. Back To Top

FUNDING MYTHS

One of the harmful myths surrounding public broadcasting is that individual stations are funded almost entirely with federal taxpayer dollars. Not true! The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) receives an annual appropriation from Congress, and we in turn get a small portion of that appropriation, but as shown above, CPB only supplies 10 percent of our budget. The amount that any single taxpayer contributes in the course of a lifetime would keep our station on the air for much less than a minute.

Another widely held misconception is that WEKU, NPR, and CPB are all part of one organization. CPB is a private, federally-funded non-profit corporation authorized by Congress to provide funding and research support for LOCAL public radio stations. National Public Radio (NPR), Public Radio International and American Public Media are all separate program providers who get their funding from radio stations like WEKU and from corporate and grant funding. None of these program providers receive significant direct support from CPB. Most of the congressional appropriation for CPB goes directly to local stations. Back To Top

FUNDRAISING

The cost of programming is constantly rising, so we must attract new members and retain existing ones to meet that cost. Our on-air fund drives are not the only way we raise money, but they are the best way to help listeners become first-time contributors.

Faithful listeners renew their memberships through a variety of avenues: during the on-air drives, through our website, by telephone, and in response to mailed reminders.

If you find WEKU irreplaceable and want to give at an above-average level to help secure the station for the future, we have a number of major giving options. Please contact Carol Siler to receive more information on becoming a Leadership Circle donor or to discuss a planned gift to WEKU.

At whatever level you may choose to give, we appreciate your support!

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