All the station fund drives so far (KPFK is in the middle of one) have improved in performance over the winter drives. Although WPFW and KPFT came in 10-13% under budget from last reports, that is still a lot better than the 20-25% shortfalls in the winter drive for those stations.
According to LaVarn Williams, interim CFO of Pacifica and acting General Manager of WBAI, the WBAI fund drive that just concluded May 30th raised over $839,000! The goal for this drive in the Fiscal Year ‘09 Budget was $672,000, according to James Ross, Chair of the National Finance Committee.
The budget goal was actually $672,000, so BAI beat that by $160,000. For comparison, the winter drive did $545,000, and last spring did $608,000 (in two fewer days). This has been the best WBAI drive in over two years. KPFA has been finalizing details for its restructuring plans. KPFA has also successfully completed the hire of a new Information Technology Director. They also replaced their website director with an interim hire and are going to be filling the position with a regular hire within 6 weeks.
Lemlem Rijio reported that she is "shopping around a couple of proposals for funding---small proposals for training and projects ($10k-$50k) and just yesterday we got a $15k award from the San Francisco Foundation. Our May drive is about 70% fulfilled; our summer “friendraiser” is in the planning process. The fall drive is budgeted to begin in mid Sep. but it might be moved to the last week of Sept so KFPA and KPFK can bring our drives in sync and hopefully raise more money.
Three students from the UCB school of business will be doing an internship in our development department this summer working on three projects to plan and implement a membership expansion campaign; a plan and materials to increase the percentage of renewal of new members; and conducting market research for new programs and strategies (they have developed 4 sets of really good surveys).
KPFA has a shortfall this year of about $250,000-$300,000. $150,000- $200,000 of this is due to payroll cuts that have not been made and from a shortfall in off air fundraising that is about $100,000 underbudget.
The Pacifica Archives just signed a contract and is moving forward with a book project with CityLights that is very promising. KPFK held an on air 'Gay Pride Day' on June 14th from 9:00 am-Midnight. Featured were live reports from the LA Gay Pride Parade and Festival, rallies, protests, demonstrations, teach-ins, forums and gatherings; etc.
The interim Human Resources Director has been helping with HR matters related to WBAI, KPFK, WPFW, the Pacifica Archives, etc. He has also researched on-line anti-discrimination and sexual harassment training. The final logistics are being worked out and that training will be starting in a week or 2. He has also begun working with the Personnel Committee on the ongoing CFO and ED hiring processes.
The National Office, in conjunction with volunteers from WBAI and the PNB Coordinating Committee, are working to secure a venue and accommodations for the next PNB in-person meeting to be held in New York next month.
Tony Riddle, National Development Director, has been researching federal stimulus funds and CPB grants we may be eligible for. Elections are going well at all of the stations due to the increased frequency of on-air promos, except at WBAI.
Grigsby Hubbard has been appointed interim General Manager of WPFW. Mr. Hubbard was one of the founders of WPFW and has maintained a commitment to the station for over 35 years. His involvement actually began before the station even went on the air. He is well known and respected by virtually all stakeholders of WPFW. Mr. Hubbard has decades of managerial experience in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. WPFW will now begin a search for a permanent General Manager.