FREQUENTLY asked questions
WHY ARE LISTENER DONATIONS VITAL?
Fundraising is a constant effort for an independent nonprofit radio station. We rely solely on individual donations and corporate sponsors to cover the costs of being on the air. Commercial radio stations sell advertising to cover their costs. Other independent radio stations may be part of a network (like Public Broadcasting stations) and supplement listener donations with government funds. We don’t get government funds, we’re not part of a university program, and we don’t have a benefactor. Which is why we depend on your donations. But like you, we think the payoffs are worth it – like a deeper play list, local programming, and the ability to provide free air time to our fellow local nonprofits.
WHAT IS THIS FUND DRIVE ALL ABOUT?
Fundraising is business as usual for an independent radio station. This Fall Pledge Drive is one of only two pledge drives we will have in 2023.
That makes our goal for each a little bigger, and vitally important to reach for cashflow purposes, yet interrupts the music only half as often.
Like many others, we are still feeling the economic effects of the pandemic and dealing with increased costs. Our need is $165,000 in this pledge drive and reaching that goal is vital to the health of this station.
HOW DO YOU SPEND THE MONEY?
The short answer is – very carefully! We are a lean operation dedicated to the music and the mission. We keep costs low. Our board of directors are unpaid volunteers. We operate with only a few employees and a handful of volunteers. They are a busy and dedicated group, and like our listeners they donate to the station too!
Still, there are many costs to getting an independent radio station on the air. For example, just leasing the towers and the utilities to power them cost more than $80,000 a year.
Delivering The Avenue to your radio also requires production costs, maintenance, repairs, software, licenses, insurance, streaming software and licensing, website maintenance and updates, broadcast lines, music licensing, and more. We carry no “fluff” in our budget. Your gift goes directly to keep the music playing.
DONATE NOW VS PLEDGE NOW, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
New in the pledge drive is the option to DONATE (pay immediately) or PLEDGE (pay at the end of the pledge drive).
DONATE NOW BUTTON:
Choose an amount to give in this pledge drive and pay immediately. You asked for a more streamlined process for those preferring to pay immediately, and we listened!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I MAKE A PLEDGE?
Your pledge is your promise to make your donation at the end of the pledge drive. Immediately after making your pledge, you will receive an email confirmation. In the pledge confirmation email there will be an option to fulfill your donation immediately for those who prefer to do that. Otherwise, when the pledge drive ends, we will send you a notification reminder with instructions to fulfill your donation at that time (effectively deferring your payment for a month.)
CAN I PAY BY CHECK?
Yes. If you prefer to make your donation with a check you may do so by mailing it to:
91.1 The Avenue
PO Box 2577
Appleton WI 54912
CAN I MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS?
Yes. You can choose to make regular monthly donations to sustain The Avenue by clicking the “Make My Donation Monthly Recurring” option on the online donation form. If you need any assistance with your donation you may contact Scott at stritt@avenueradio.com
CAN I CALL MY PLEDGE OR DONATION IN?
Sure! Just call 1-877-508-9191 and one of our team members will be happy to help you pledge or donate over the phone. Note, we maintain a lean operation so you may need to leave a message for callback if we are speaking to other listeners at the time of your call.
IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes, 91.1 The Avenue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization so your donation is tax-deductible. In some cases, the value of the thank you gifts you receive can affect the tax-deductible amount (please consult your tax advisor). The acknowledgment email or letter you receive can be used for tax purposes and includes more detail.
I THINK MY EMPLOYER OFFERS MATCHING FUNDS - HOW DO I HANDLE THAT PROCESS?
Matching gifts are an easy way to maximize your support. We encourage you to take a copy of your donation acknowledgment letter to your HR department and request a match for your contribution. Thank you for taking the extra step to make your gift go even further!
DO YOU GET GOVERNMENT FUNDING?
No. We are not a national public radio station and receive no government funds. The Avenue is an independent radio station that is not part of any network or group. We are sustained only by the generosity of the community.
WILL THE AVENUE GIVE OUT MY INFORMATION?
91.1 The Avenue is committed to securing your trust and assuring your security during the donation process. As a result, we will not give, sell, or trade any of your information with anyone, ever!
Fundraising is a constant effort for an independent nonprofit radio station. We rely solely on individual donations and corporate sponsors to cover the costs of being on the air. Commercial radio stations sell advertising to cover their costs. Other independent radio stations may be part of a network (like Public Broadcasting stations) and supplement listener donations with government funds. We don’t get government funds, we’re not part of a university program, and we don’t have a benefactor. Which is why we depend on your donations. But like you, we think the payoffs are worth it – like a deeper play list, local programming, and the ability to provide free air time to our fellow local nonprofits.
WHAT IS THIS FUND DRIVE ALL ABOUT?
Fundraising is business as usual for an independent radio station. This Fall Pledge Drive is one of only two pledge drives we will have in 2023.
That makes our goal for each a little bigger, and vitally important to reach for cashflow purposes, yet interrupts the music only half as often.
Like many others, we are still feeling the economic effects of the pandemic and dealing with increased costs. Our need is $165,000 in this pledge drive and reaching that goal is vital to the health of this station.
HOW DO YOU SPEND THE MONEY?
The short answer is – very carefully! We are a lean operation dedicated to the music and the mission. We keep costs low. Our board of directors are unpaid volunteers. We operate with only a few employees and a handful of volunteers. They are a busy and dedicated group, and like our listeners they donate to the station too!
Still, there are many costs to getting an independent radio station on the air. For example, just leasing the towers and the utilities to power them cost more than $80,000 a year.
Delivering The Avenue to your radio also requires production costs, maintenance, repairs, software, licenses, insurance, streaming software and licensing, website maintenance and updates, broadcast lines, music licensing, and more. We carry no “fluff” in our budget. Your gift goes directly to keep the music playing.
DONATE NOW VS PLEDGE NOW, WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
New in the pledge drive is the option to DONATE (pay immediately) or PLEDGE (pay at the end of the pledge drive).
DONATE NOW BUTTON:
Choose an amount to give in this pledge drive and pay immediately. You asked for a more streamlined process for those preferring to pay immediately, and we listened!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I MAKE A PLEDGE?
Your pledge is your promise to make your donation at the end of the pledge drive. Immediately after making your pledge, you will receive an email confirmation. In the pledge confirmation email there will be an option to fulfill your donation immediately for those who prefer to do that. Otherwise, when the pledge drive ends, we will send you a notification reminder with instructions to fulfill your donation at that time (effectively deferring your payment for a month.)
CAN I PAY BY CHECK?
Yes. If you prefer to make your donation with a check you may do so by mailing it to:
91.1 The Avenue
PO Box 2577
Appleton WI 54912
CAN I MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENTS?
Yes. You can choose to make regular monthly donations to sustain The Avenue by clicking the “Make My Donation Monthly Recurring” option on the online donation form. If you need any assistance with your donation you may contact Scott at stritt@avenueradio.com
CAN I CALL MY PLEDGE OR DONATION IN?
Sure! Just call 1-877-508-9191 and one of our team members will be happy to help you pledge or donate over the phone. Note, we maintain a lean operation so you may need to leave a message for callback if we are speaking to other listeners at the time of your call.
IS MY DONATION TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes, 91.1 The Avenue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization so your donation is tax-deductible. In some cases, the value of the thank you gifts you receive can affect the tax-deductible amount (please consult your tax advisor). The acknowledgment email or letter you receive can be used for tax purposes and includes more detail.
I THINK MY EMPLOYER OFFERS MATCHING FUNDS - HOW DO I HANDLE THAT PROCESS?
Matching gifts are an easy way to maximize your support. We encourage you to take a copy of your donation acknowledgment letter to your HR department and request a match for your contribution. Thank you for taking the extra step to make your gift go even further!
DO YOU GET GOVERNMENT FUNDING?
No. We are not a national public radio station and receive no government funds. The Avenue is an independent radio station that is not part of any network or group. We are sustained only by the generosity of the community.
WILL THE AVENUE GIVE OUT MY INFORMATION?
91.1 The Avenue is committed to securing your trust and assuring your security during the donation process. As a result, we will not give, sell, or trade any of your information with anyone, ever!
