WBFO Sets Record for Spring Membership Drive

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- WBFO 88.7 FM, the National Public Radio affiliate operated by the University at Buffalo, has recorded its best spring membership drive, raising $150,955 in the drive that ended on March 23.

That amount included $43,290 pledged online, also a record amount, noted Jennifer Roth, WBFO general manager. Roth said 520 pledges were made online, a 26 percent increase over the 412 recorded in last fall's membership drive.

More than 500 new members joined the station during the drive.

"We're grateful that the community has come through once again for UB's public radio station, and we're thrilled to see the family of WBFO members continuing to expand," Roth added.

"'Thank you' to our listeners for caring enough about WBFO to help make programming possible with a financial contribution."

David Benders, WBFO program director, said: "It was another wonderful team effort -- our programming and development staffs working along with a valiant volunteer crew to raise essential operating funds for WBFO.

Noting that "online pledging has really taken off," Benders added: "It was great fun to hear from Web listeners as far away as Kalamazoo and Honolulu who pledged for WBFO."

Revenue obtained through fundraising comprises 56 percent of WBFO's operating budget, Roth noted, with membership contributions making up 38 percent and local business contributions 18 percent.

WBFO 88.7 FM reaches nearly 100,000 listeners weekly in Western New York and southern Ontario with its 50,000-watt signal. It has two repeater stations, WUBJ 88.1 FM in Jamestown and WOLN 91.3 FM in Olean.