How WAMU’s fundraising strategy focuses on community over crisis

Rather than play up the defunding of CPB, the station in the nation’s capital focused on relationships with listeners who were dealing with unprecedented levels of destabilization.

“May you live in interesting times” hits differently when you raise over $1 million in an on-air fundraising cycle, setting a record when you blow past your goal by 30% — and it’s not the key takeaway.

We love seeing the CDP data and reports of station success. This year’s extraordinary donor response is not surprising, and we’re not the first to say it’s unlikely to stay at the current elevated level.

For the last year, WAMU has refined its approach to building deep community, audience and donor relationships. Our belief is that the path through these changes must include speaking in a loud, clear voice about the value of the work. We must acquire new skills to improve every part of our audience development and revenue-generating operations. And we must show up as leaders and connectors in our communities.