April 14, 2011

 

Contacts:
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

Alicia Lee, Yellowstone Public Radio, 657-2979
Dan Carter, University Relations, 657-2269

 

Staff, volunteers work on raising $180,000

 

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES — Yellowstone Public Radio (YPR) staff and volunteers are in the midst of the Spring 2011 Fund Drive, one of two weeks each year set aside for on-air fundraising. YPR receives more than 65 percent of its annual funding from individual listener support and business underwriting.

 

“We wouldn’t be here without generous financial support from our listeners,” says YPR General Manager Ken Siebert. “These on-air fund raising events are the best way to reach out and make the case for that support.”

 

Federal funding for public broadcasting is being questioned this year, making listener support all the more critical, he said.

 

“We need the spring drive to be successful, plain and simple,” says Siebert. “We’re feeling the pressure perhaps a bit more than in the past.”

 

On-air fundraising began earlier this week and ends Sunday afternoon, April 17. The minimum fundraising goal for the week is $180,000. YPR is accepting pledges of support online at www.ypradio.org  and through the mail to:

 

Friends of Public Radio
1500 University Drive
Billings, MT 59101

 

YPR is a network of 9 transmitters and 26 translators, licensed to Montana State University Billings and located throughout north-central, central, and eastern Montana, and northern Wyoming. YPR is a public service of MSU Billings, in partnership with Friends of Public Radio, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. YPR receives support from its listeners, Montana State University Billings, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

 

For more information, contact Alicia Lee, public information manager at KEMC/Yellowstone Public Radio at 657-2979 or by email at alee@ypradio.org.