How long has your station conducted on-air fundraising? Two of our stations at Iowa Public Radio, WOI and WSUI are celebrating 100 years of broadcasting this year. I’m not sure how long we’ve been conducting on-air fundraising, but I’m sure it’s been going on for awhile!
Have you been involved in the planning process? Since I was hired in Jan., we had our membership manager (who did the bulk of fundraising planning) leave the organization for another opportunity. My job since then has changed from when I was hired, so I am now more involved in the planning than I was in my first drive in the spring. I work with my team to decide premiums, sweepstake items, schedules, communications plan, pitch and producing schedule, etc.
What other elements of fundraising do you need to be aware of at your station as you plan your on-air campaign? Like many others, we do a lot of acquisition, lapsed and renewal campaigns through direct mail. I believe we do a good job at planning those around our on-air fundraising drives so listeners/members don’t get overwhelmed with asks.
-Alanna, Membership Communications Coordinator at IPR.
