The Economy and WFCR

A conversation with WFCR's General Manager, Martin Miller

How is the economy affecting WFCR?

WFCR ended fiscal year 2008 with a balanced budget. WFCR also had very successful on-air fund drives in October of 2008 to begin FY'09 and again this past February. Both drives went over goal! But, there have been some warning signs. Overall individual contributions are down as is revenue from business underwriting support.

As a result, WFCR is projecting a FY'09 shortfall in revenue from individual giving and business underwriting that may be as much as $300,000 below expectations.

What is WFCR doing to offset this shortfall?

We're working to reduce WFCR's expenses this year and the station has prepared an FY'10 budget which includes cutting and reducing some part time staff hours and leaving the bilingual news reporter position unfilled. The news department's freelance budget has been cut, along with travel, the station's special events budget, and other administrative expenses. Revenue projections for FY'10 have also been significantly reduced.

The WFCR Spring Fundraising Campaign is designed to head off a potential 2009 fiscal year shortfall. It includes tele-fundraising, direct mail, web, and on-air appeals starting in late May and running through the end of June when WFCR's fiscal year concludes.

What is the long-term outlook for WFCR?

No one knows how much worse the economy will get, but we are confident that WFCR will weather this storm. The station has strong programming, a talented staff, a dedicated board, and a very loyal and supportive audience.

How will this affect programming?

The station will avoid major program cuts for now. However, 88.5FM WFCR HD2 will become an all classical service on July 7, 2009 saving the station several thousand dollars. In addition, 88.5FM WFCR's weekly Sunday classical programming from 10am-2pm will be hosted by Walter Carroll. All other programming on 88.5FM and 640AM will remain unchanged.

The station must continue to make strategic choices and investments to move the station forward and keep listeners tuning in as best it can, while at the same time being realistic about revenue expectations during this economic crisis.

What can I do?

More than 14,000 listeners, nearly 250 local businesses, the Five Colleges (including WFCR's license holder UMass), and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting support WFCR. This broad base of financial support not only allows WFCR to maintain broadcast and fiduciary independence, but we believe it can help us weather this economic crisis. Please support WFCR with a financial contribution that is right for your budget. Encourage your friends and family who listen to WFCR to donate, or renew their annual giving, or to make an additional gift if they can.

If you own a business, we hope you'll consider becoming an underwriter. We have special packages for 640AM WNNZ, and a new website at wfcr.org where your business can show support for public radio and reach the thousands of visitors our website sees every week. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to reach over 200,000 listeners a week to WFCR and WNNZ and on-line at wfcr.org.