March 4th, 2010

The March Fundraiser is our most important on-air drive each year.  This year we’re trying to raise $340,000 by March 28th, and we’ve committed to ending the drive as soon as we reach our goal.  Putting on the drive involves every department at KLRU.  It’s a busy month, but everyone at the station pitches in to make everything run smoothly.

Up to 30% of the donations we receive during the drive will come via the KLRU’s website.  That’s much higher than the national average of 10%.  We’re excited this year, because the March Drive coincides with the launch of KLRU’s brand new website.  You don’t need to wait to support a program, and get a thank you gift.  While you’re here, watch episodes of your favorite PBS programs using our new video player.

January 26th, 2010

The Kodosky Foundation, managed by philanthropists Gail and Jeff Kodosky, have provided $10,000 in funding for KLRU’s INCONTEXT series. KLRU is deeply grateful to the Kodosky’s for this generous gift to further Arts in Central Texas and broaden exposure to all that Austin ahs to offer in artistic expression. This series of specials in 2010 features Choral Arts, Jazz in Austin – which airs Thursday, January 28th at 8:00 PM – and specials on the visual arts in Central Texas, Ballet Austin’s The Bach Project and an exploration of classical guitar and the 2010 International Classical Guitar Conference in June.

January 25th, 2010

KLRU’s Producer’s Circle donor group is hosting a member’s breakfast with David Brancaccio, this February. David Brancaccio is host and senior editor of NOW on PBS, public television’s award-winning newsmagazine of investigative reporting and in-depth interviews. A broadcaster for 33 years, Brancaccio worked alongside the legendary journalist Bill Moyers at NOW, before flying solo beginning in 2005.  His journalism has won the three top awards in broadcasting: the George Foster Peabody, the duPont-Columbia, and the Emmy.

To learn more about how you can attend this and future Producers Circle events, visit the Producer Circle page or contact Sharon Guess at sguess@klru.org.

January 24th, 2010

KLRU was recently awarded a sponsorship by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to produce a public media “unconference” in Austin in 2010.  The meeting is expected to attract community organizers, bloggers, tech developers and public media staffers and will be called PublicMediaCamp Austin. KLRU’s Director of Development, Shane Guiter will organize the event on behalf of the station.

In addition to providing seed funding, CPB paid for KLRU to attend the original PublicMediaCamp in Washington, D.C. in October.  Over two days, more than 250 attendees discussed ways that technology can be used to strengthen the relationship between local communities and their PBS/NPR stations.  Attendees were encouraged to upload session presentations, notes, images and videos to the PubCamp’s wiki for future reference.

So what is an unconference? According to this post at the PBS Media Shift blog, the format creates a “blank slate” for attendees to identify shared issues, projects and learning opportunities.

December 14th, 2009

We did it together!  KLRU has reached its goal of $230,000 for the December Pledge Drive.  Our final total is $253,948.  If you were among the thousands of KLRU supporters who gave a gift this December, thank you.

Your pledge of support ensures the continued strength of PBS programs like the PBS NewsHour, Washington Week, Nature and Nova; engaging local productions like Texas Monthly Talks and Central Texas Gardener; a new series of arts specials highlighting the best in Austin’s performing arts community; events that enliven debate like the KLRU Community Screening Series and the KLRU Community Town Hall Series; and outreach programs aimed at educating Central Texas children like Ready To Learn and Teacherline.

December 1st, 2009

The development department at KLRU has created this blog to better communicate with our funders and supporters about what’s happening in fundraising at your PBS station.  We believe it’s important to raise money for KLRU in a way that is open and transparent.  Check back often for updates on fundraising news, upcoming events, and our take on trends and new technologies in public broadcasting philanthropy.