Sonoma radio station pursues NPR-style membership

New outreach to support aims to sustain emergency capacity And increase community engagement|

KSVY Radio, Sonoma Valley’s locally-owned and -operated radio station, is launching a membership drive this month through June 1.

“We felt the impact of the intense connection we have to our community last fall during the wildfires,” said KSVY Station Manager Bob Taylor, “We were inspired to focus our effort on creating a sustainable funding source through a membership drive, so we can continue to be a state-of-the-art station, and a key service to our community, especially in times of disaster.”

KSVY broadcast continuously through the early October wildfires, keeping residents, concerned families and the community up-to-date with information about evacuations, road closures and updates.

As Taylor describes the experience, “There was so much misinformation during the fires, and we were dedicated to broadcasting factual and helpful information to our listeners.”

With more than 60 volunteer hosts from the Sonoma area, each with varying interests and life views, KSVY’s programming is free of commercials. KSVY regular programming includes an array of local voices and topics, including news, culture, music and health.

The two-week-long membership drive is designed to generate ongoing sustainable funding for the station, and especially to upgrade its emergency response capacity and equipment. KSVY will have live remotes scheduled at businesses throughout Sonoma Valley, including today, May 25, at Les Pascal in Glen Ellen at 10 a.m., the Tuesday night market on May 29, at 5 p.m., Thursday, May 31, at Picazo Café in El Verano at 10 a.m. and Friday, June 1, at La Michoacana in Boyes Hot Springs at 5 p.m. Listeners can meet the attending hosts and support KSVY community-based efforts.

Membership donations begin at $50, and include several additional levels, with a variety of member rewards, including shirts, shopping bags and special event attendance. To donate, supporters can log on to ksvy.org or call in to 933-0808.

KSVY has been broadcasting in Sonoma Valley since 2004. The station is licensed by Sonoma Valley Community Communications, which took over ownership in 2016. KSVY is not public radio and does not receive any government funding. The station is funded solely by community support via donations, sponsors, partnerships and fundraising.

KSVY is licensed to Sonoma Valley Community Communications (SVCC) by the FCC. SVCC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit under fiscal sponsorship with Inquiring Systems Inc.

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