CKUA, the only publicly funded radio station in Canada, is aiming to close its budgetary gap through its annual 10-day fall fundraiser. The 96-year-old broadcaster has set a goal of $1 million it hopes to raise with the support of listeners across the province.
In April, CKUA CEO Marc Carnes asked listeners to help raise $3 million by Sept. 30. The donor-funded radio station was struggling financially after a perfect storm of heavy loans, rising inflationary pressures, limited government support, a devaluation of the station’s real estate value, and a series of post-pandemic realities.
Although the station did not reach its target, it collected $1.8 million in 10 days and generated 1,800 new donors, said Carnes. He was speaking in a pre-recorded radio broadcast appealing for financial support on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
“While we did not meet our target by Sept. 30, we found cost-efficient means to bridge the gap in different ways,” he said. “We’ve also created a pipeline with donors down the road who will get us pas the $3 million goal if we meet certain conditions.”
They include negotiations with CKUA’s lender, matching donations from significant donors, securing federal and provincial funding, and holding a successful fall fundraising campaign. Carnes also spoke about the challenges arts organizations and community broadcasters face in finding new and flexible revenue streams.
“Listeners have been very loyal for almost 30 years, and they’ve shown they can rise to the challenge, like they did in April with the best 10-day fundraising in our history. So hopefully, they’ll come along with us over the next 10 days as well.”
Carnes said,” We need our community more than ever to support the station they know and love. We need our community to come out in record numbers. We’re not where we need to be yet, but we are cautiously optimistic we can get there with your help. Let’s show everyone what CKUA means to Alberta. We can’t stop. We won’t stop.
Listed below is a series of promotional media events CKUA is hosting during the fundraiser.
• A live broadcast as the Fall Fundraiser Kick-off with Traffic Jams LIVE with Lisa Witton and guests on Friday, Oct. 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The King Eddy, 438 – 9 Avenue, Calgary.
• Live broadcast and Fall Fundraiser Kick-off with Wide Cut Stew LIVE with Terry David Mulligan, Allison Brock and guests on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., King Eddy.
• Join morning show host Grant Stovel for a live broadcast of Alberta Morning on Friday, Oct. 15 from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at CKUA performance space at Alberta Hotel, 9804 Jasper Ave.
• Turne into Vinyl Dance Party with host Amy van Keeken and guests, and groove with Hot Wax, an all-LP Dance Party. It takes place at CKUA on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 9 p.m. until the late hours.