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KUAF Public Radio Surpasses $100,000 Fall Fundraiser Goal Thanks to Community Support

by | Oct 17, 2024 | Features, Gifts, Journalism

Staff members and listeners at KUAF’s open house held on the final day of the week-long on-air portion of the month-long fundraiser.

Thanks to overwhelming community contributions, KUAF 91.3 FM, the U of A’s NPR affiliate, raised more than $140,000 during its 2024 Fall Fundraiser. The station significantly exceeded its initial goal of $100,000 with support from listeners across Northwest and west central Arkansas, eastern Oklahoma and southwest Missouri.

“We are deeply grateful to our listeners and supporters who have shown such tremendous generosity,” said Clint Schaff, general manager of KUAF. “It had been nearly a year since our last fundraiser, and our community came through in a big way. This outpouring of support both meets our immediate needs and strengthens our ability to serve our diverse communities with the quality programming they’ve come to depend on for the coming year.”

The funds will be used to:

  • Maintain and expand local and regional news coverage,
  • Support diverse music programming,
  • Ensure continued access to national and international NPR content and
  • Invest in technology upgrades to enhance listener experience throughout the broadcast area.

This year’s fundraiser was particularly crucial as KUAF had not conducted its usual spring campaign.

“The success of this Fall Fundraiser is a testament to how much our communities value public radio,” Schaff said. “Our listeners understand the importance of investing in the programming they rely on daily, and their support allows us to bridge the gap and continue providing the high-quality content they expect from us.”

The fundraiser’s success is cause for celebration, and KUAF listener support remains vital year-round. As listener-supported nonprofit media, KUAF relies on these donations for more than three-quarters of its revenue. Community contributions allow the station to maintain its operations and high standards of broadcasting.

KUAF impacts tens of thousands of listeners weekly with in-depth local news, national programs, music and community events. In 2025, the station is set to celebrate the 35th anniversary of its flagship program, Ozarks At Large. KUAF is focused on improving member and listener engagement across the listening area and enhancing its digital offerings to better meet the needs of listeners.

“Every donation, regardless of size, plays a crucial role in keeping KUAF strong,” Schaff said. “We’re not just a radio station. We’re a valuable educational and cultural resource for all the communities we serve. Our listeners’ willingness to invest in KUAF ensures we can continue to provide the quality programming they’ve come to value across our broadcast region.”

The KUAF staff thanks all who contributed and invites those who haven’t yet had the chance to join in supporting public radio in the region. For more information about KUAF or to make a donation, visit SupportKUAF.com.

About KUAF: Owned by the University of Arkansas as part of the School of Journalism and Strategic Media, KUAF serves a 14-county area of west and Northwest Arkansas, parts of eastern Oklahoma and southern Missouri. It provides the only source of national and international news from NPR in the region, as well as a daily local news magazine, Ozarks at Large. KUAF reaches a potential audience of more than 600,000 people. The station also offers classical music during the nighttime hours and a variety of public radio programs on the weekends. Located across the street from the Fayetteville Public Library at 9 S. School Ave., KUAF is at the center of the intellectual and artistic hub of Northwest Arkansas.

About the School of Journalism and Strategic Media: The School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas offers full-time and part-time degree programs for undergraduates as well as a graduate master’s degree program. Students major in journalism or advertising and public relations, and they receive instruction, guidance and access to hands-on experience from seasoned, award-winning faculty and staff. The school is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and media literacy. The journalism program was established at the University of Arkansas by Walter J. Lemke in 1930. Visit the school’s website for more information. 

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.