“Support” Is Much More Than “Giving”
One of the nonprofits I support monetarily is Philadelphia’s WXPN-FM, a noncommercial, listener-supported radio station out of the University of Pennsylvania. One of the country’s best stations, ‘XPN has the freedom to play a uniquely diverse collection of music, including work by artists who are far out of the mainstream yet deserve to be heard. Even as a loyal member, though, I get tired of the on-air fundraising drives that the station engages in every few months; the music gets turned off and the DJs spend hours and hours petulantly noting how different ‘XPN is and how much it deserves one’s support. True though that is, I donate every year — I don’t need to be lectured to about why supporting the station is a necessity.
So I was very, very pleasantly surprised to see a list inside the station’s December newsletter indicating how listeners can support ‘XPN without opening their checkbooks. I think this is a great idea, one that more nonprofits should adopt as they try to connect with their publics in new and different ways and let them know they are valued beyond simply their ability to make a gift. Here’s the list:
- Join us. Attend the Free At Noon Concerts, the summer festival, and other XPN events with your family, friends and co-workers.
- Get involved. Volunteer for fund drives, events, or at the station. Contact us at volunteers@xpn.org today.
- Give feedback. Let us know when you hear something you don’t like, but especially when you hear something that’s wonderful!
- Keep us in mind. Refer a business associate, a friend, or a client to XPN for membership or business support.
- Exercise your rights. Contact your elected officials to voice your concern about the sometimes uncertain future of public radio funding.
- Praise in public. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper when you want to say “thanks to XPN.” If it prints, please send us a copy.
- Pass it on. Share your favorite station even with out of state friends now that they can listen online…forward our E-newsletters to friends who may be interested in an item or two.
- Stay tuned in. Keep your radio on 88.5, 88.7, 99.7 or wherever you listen, as much as you can. At work, tell colleagues and customers about that amazing station you’re listening to.
- Use XPN.org. Listen online when you can’t tune us in; take the polls and surveys; read and post to the blogs and bulletin boards.
- Show your pride. Wear your XPN T-shirts; use your XPNMemberCard frequently, and place that window sticker in your car already!
- If you are getting rid of your old car, consider donating it to XPN. Call 1-866-XPN-CAR1. | 501(c)
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POSTED IN: Fundraising, Musings
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