Joseph M. Bryan Foundation Awards Local Public Radio Station $10,000 Grant

Winston-Salem , NC—88.5 WFDD, the Piedmont Triad’s public radio station, has been awarded a $10,000 grant by Greensboro’s Joseph M. Bryan Foundation. The grant will fund day-to-day operations of WFDD’s Greensboro office and studio, as well as the conversion of WFDD to digital broadcasting. This is the fifth grant awarded to WFDD by a Greensboro foundation since the station revamped its Greensboro studio operations and added a transmitter on a new frequency (104.7 FM) to supplement its full power broadcasts in central Greensboro.

WFDD established a major giving office during the fall of 2007, staffed by Jay Banks, the former general manager of the station and now director of major giving. WFDD general manager Denise Franklin said, “This new initiative is a first step toward ensuring a firm financial basis for 88.5 WFDD in the future.” Banks noted that the station is beginning rollout of the Public Radio Society, a giving initiative targeted at donors who wish to make sustaining gifts of a $1,000 or more.

Banks also stated that, “We have found that many people are aware of our need through our on-air drives, but do not realize the need and impact of larger gifts and pledges, often paid over several years.” The station generates substantially all of its own funding for capital support, technological change, replacement, program initiatives, and operating costs. In order to more effectively accomplish this, Wake Forest University recently authorized the station to seek major gifts from the public. Banks works closely with the university advancement division to ensure successful internal collaboration.

WFDD’s major giving office is also reaching out to alumni who were connected with WFDD or WAKE Radio, Wake Forest University’s student-run radio station. This effort is prompted in part by the broadcast of a program called the Best of College Radio in the Triad, which will air on WFDD-3, one of WFDD’s digital channels. Following its recent conversion to digital broadcasting, WFDD now operates its original analog channel, as well as three digital channels: WFDD-1, a clone of the analog channel; WFDD-2, a 24 hour classical music station; and WFDD-3, which features roots and traditional music, world music, and college radio. WFDD-3 will launch later this month.

Banks commented that encouraging and supporting student involvement is an important element to the station’s educational mission. “We are fortunate to have many students who have, over the years, been involved with WFDD as volunteers, interns, or employees. Now we are able to call upon those alumni for support and advice.”

88.5 WFDD, the NPR ® News and Triad Arts Station broadcasting from Wake Forest University, is the only public radio station of its kind located in the Piedmont Triad. It broadcasts news, information, and public affairs programming covering the arts, people, and institutions in the area from both its Winston-Salem and Greensboro studios. The state’s charter NPR ® member, 88.5 WFDD is the longest continuously broadcasting public radio station in North Carolina. It is a member of the North Carolina Public Radio Association.