a Better Bubble™
KDHX Executive Director Kelly Wells, and Gary Pierson, the president of the board of directors will be answering your questions and concerns live on the air on Friday, September 29 at Noon CT.
KDHX knows that the listening audience and donors have questions about KDHX at the moment. Wells and Pierson will address as many questions as possible.
If you would like to ask a question, please click this link.
The KDHX Fall Drive is going on now and we are asking for your support.
Your financial support ensures that the power of music and connection is always available to you and to KDHX’s entire listening audience. Join us in deepening our connection within the St. Louis music scene and harnessing the power of music to unite individuals and communities for a better St. Louis. Visit Support.KDHX.org.
Individual support makes up the largest share of KDHX’s funding, keeps KDHX independent and available to everyone. Give as generously as you can today.
You can give a single or a monthly gift at Support.KDHX.org
If you are a current monthly donor, you can increase the amount of your monthly gift.
We also take donations of real estate and vehicles.
You can send a gift via check or through a Donor Advised Fund to:
KDHX
3524 Washington Ave
St Louis, MO 63103
Thank you for your support of KDHX’s independent programming!
As we welcome the fall season, we have a lot to be excited about at KDHX. Personally, I am excited for college football season to kick off and to cheer on my alma mater - the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
This fall at KDHX, we are excited to usher in a new season of opportunities. The shared love of independent, diverse, and local music bonds KDHX listeners, supporters, volunteers, and staff. KDHX is one of the country's most enduring and successful independent community radio stations because it unites us with the power of music and the joy of discovery.
Looking forward, KDHX continues to evolve and grow. We have taken steps to make the station welcoming and make sure the station showcases a wide variety of musical styles and genres. Off the air, here are some ways you can engage with us:
Community Events
This fall, we are excited to engage with listeners at community events like Music at the Intersection on September 9-10 and Tower Grove Pride on September 23-24. Visit our table to say hello and grab the latest KDHX sticker!
New Director of Volunteer Connections
Recognizing the vital role of volunteers in our 36-year history, we are enhancing the volunteer experience at KDHX. On August 15, Andrea Dunn, current Director of Donor Relations, took charge as the first Director of Volunteer Connections, proactively planning social events, gathering feedback, and hosting one-on-one meetings to ensure our volunteers are valued.
Currently Seeking New DJs
KDHX is welcoming new DJs to the airwaves. Apply now on KDHX.org. DJ Jackie T premiered her new show, “Full Circle” on August 13, and DJ Nick kicks off “Get Around Sound” on September 14. We have DJs in training that will be added to the airwaves soon, continuing KDHX’s 36-year history of increasing community participation in radio so that diverse and independent voices enrich our audiences' perspectives.
Listen Live & Local
Our monthly Listen Live & Local series, generously supported by our donors, shines a spotlight on local talent. Catch live in-studio performances and interviews with KDHX DJs on 88.1 and our YouTube Channel. Join us on September 12 for a session with Orangetree.
As we move forward, the power of music and the joy of discovery remains at the heart of KDHX. Your involvement, whether as a listener, donor, or volunteer, fuels our mission to keep independent programming free and accessible.
Excited to move into year 36 of independent and listener-supported community radio,
Kelly K. Wells
Executive Director
We are excited to announce that Ronnie Wisdom and Andrea Dunn will be taking on new roles at KDHX.
Both of these role shifts reflect priorities in our strategic plan around community engagement and volunteers.
Ronnie’s role will shift to Director of Community Connections. As the director of the community connections department, Ronnie will continue much of the work of his current department while adding two focuses: leading the continued development and implementation of our community engagement plan and leading the community advisory board.
Andrea will be leading a new department for KDHX: Volunteer Connections. Long in the works, the volunteer connections department will strengthen the connection between volunteers and each other, volunteers and staff, and volunteers and the community.
Andrea has chosen to take on this new role to fulfill her vision of creating a culture for volunteers in which they can thrive in their roles and to create a culture of belonging among all volunteers.
Read more from Andrea about the new volunteer connections department.
The community connections and volunteer connections departments will deeply collaborate to expand and engage audiences and community partners, support volunteers in their roles at KDHX, recruit new volunteers, and connect volunteers to KDHX partners and KDHX-supported community events.
Andrea’s shift away from fundraising will open the position of Director of Donor Connections. Our fundraising calendar is in place for the rest of the year, and with the support of Ronnie, Kelly, and other staff, she will continue to guide our fundraising efforts until a new director is hired. We remain committed to the community-centric fundraising model and are excited to add new people to our staff team who align with those values.
In partnership,
Kelly, Andrea, Ronnie
Contribute to the joys of summertime listening by becoming a KDHX Sunshine Donor.
Sunshine Donors help provide the extra support the station needs during the summer months by giving their annual gift in June or July every year.
In addition to all the great music you’ll hear this summer, KDHX will also continue to connect you to your community and help to keep your calendar filled with events and live music in our region all summer long. Wherever you happen to be in the coming months – sitting poolside, out in the yard, on the road, or working hard – KDHX is here for you on the live stream at KDHX.org and at 88.1 FM.
Please give as generously as you can this summer! Listener support makes everything that KDHX provides possible.
Visit support.KDHX.org to give a monthly or a single gift, to donate a vehicle or to donate real estate.
You can also give a gift via Donor Advised Fund or an IRA Distribution.
KDHX
3524 Washington Ave
St Louis, MO 63103
You can reach Donor Relations at: 314-925-7529 or donate@kdhx.org
KDHX is a registered non-profit and is listed as Double Helix Corporation (DBA KDHX Community Media) with the IRS and the tax ID is 23-7170474.
How is KDHX doing financially?
KDHX has had a special focus on organizational financial health since 2015. In that time, KDHX has cleared over $2M of debt, established a cash reserve, had 6 “clean” annual federal audits, and invested resources back into radio programming. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the executive director and board to ensure the organization is financially healthy. KDHX went through a period of difficult financial times that called for direct action to re-establish financial health.
Can I see KDHX's financial statements?
KDHX's financial reports are made public on our website. Our annual audited financial statements and IRS 990 tax forms from the four years prior are posted.
Why did KDHX move from the building on Magnolia?
KDHX moved from 3504 Magnolia to 3524 Washington Ave in December of 2013. Magnolia had been the home of KDHX for more than 20 years. KDHX moved for several reasons.
What happened to The Stage?
The Stage at KDHX is no longer a venue operated by KDHX. KDHX owns the building and leases the first floor, which contains a venue and bar, to Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF), which programs and staffs the space, now called Central Stage. There are two main reasons that KDHX no longer programs The Stage.
What happened to the Folk School?
The Folk School, as a full-fledged music school, is no longer a program of KDHX. There are a few reasons for this.
When did Kelly Wells become Executive Director?
Kelly Wells has served as executive director of KDHX since September 2016. As executive director, Kelly works to cultivate the growth and transformation of KDHX to be people-centered, connected, and clear about collective vision and values.
How much money does KDHX spend on consultants?
KDHX partners with consultants in three ways. For specific projects like strategic planning. For expert guidance around specific priorities like building anti-racist capacity. For human resources support. In 2022, KDHX spent less than 1% of its operating budget on consultants.
Why does KDHX use 3rd party facilitators for difficult conversations?
KDHX began partnering with the Conflict Resolution Center (CRC) of St. Louis in 2021. CRC is a nonprofit dedicated to helping the St. Louis community resolve conflicts and disputes more peacefully. KDHX established the partnership for a variety of reasons.
What was the Station Renewal Project?
In 2007, KDHX received a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). CPB initiated a two-phase Station Renewal Project to assist a limited number of public radio stations that were considered “at risk” stations because they were not meeting CPB expectations for listenership or financial support from listeners. KDHX fell into this category and was at risk of losing CPB funding. KDHX applied for and was granted a Station Renewal Project Grant, which was a two-year, $234,000 capacity-building grant.
Why doesn’t KDHX use the term “member”?
KDHX promotes inclusivity. KDHX has donors and supporters rather than members because at KDHX, the amount of money or the amount of time a partner can contribute is not the only measurement of someone’s investment in or commitment to KDHX nor will it have undue influence on the direction of the station.
What benefits do Donors receive?
A financial gift to KDHX ensures independent programming is available for all listeners when tuning into 88.1 FM or KDHX.org. Additionally, every donor at KDHX is a part of the Fan Club. The Fan Club is a monthly email that connects donors to music discovery by highlighting songs and videos recorded at KDHX Studios.
What is Community-Centric Fundraising?
In the last several years, KDHX has adopted a new model of fundraising known as Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF). Community-Centric Fundraising is a fundraising model grounded in equity and social justice. The ten core principles of CCF serve as a starting point for organizations to begin their CCF journey. KDHX is adapting the core principles of CCF to reflect how they show up at KDHX.
What is the process for adding new members to the board of directors?
Board members are appointed by the board or elected by the associate members (active volunteers) of KDHX. The Board maintains Board Expectations to guide the board’s work and to consider new board members. The Board regularly reviews the Board Expectations to ensure that they serve the needs of the organization and its commitments to increased board diversity.
How is KDHX doing financially?
KDHX has had a special focus on organizational financial health since 2015. In that time, KDHX has cleared over $2M of debt, established a cash reserve, had 6 “clean” annual federal audits, and invested resources back into radio programming. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the executive director and board to ensure the organization is financially healthy. KDHX went through a period of difficult financial times that called for direct action to re-establish financial health.
Can I see KDHX's financial statements?
KDHX's financial reports are made public on our website. Our annual audited financial statements and IRS 990 tax forms from the four years prior are posted.
Why did KDHX move from the building on Magnolia?
KDHX moved from 3504 Magnolia to 3524 Washington Ave in December of 2013. Magnolia had been the home of KDHX for more than 20 years. KDHX moved for several reasons.
What happened to The Stage?
The Stage at KDHX is no longer a venue operated by KDHX. KDHX owns the building and leases the first floor, which contains a venue and bar, to Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF), which programs and staffs the space, now called Central Stage. There are two main reasons that KDHX no longer programs The Stage.
What happened to the Folk School?
The Folk School, as a full-fledged music school, is no longer a program of KDHX. There are a few reasons for this.
When did Kelly Wells become Executive Director?
Kelly Wells has served as executive director of KDHX since September 2016. As executive director, Kelly works to cultivate the growth and transformation of KDHX to be people-centered, connected, and clear about collective vision and values.
How much money does KDHX spend on consultants?
KDHX partners with consultants in three ways. For specific projects like strategic planning. For expert guidance around specific priorities like building anti-racist capacity. For human resources support. In 2022, KDHX spent less than 1% of its operating budget on consultants.
Why does KDHX use 3rd party facilitators for difficult conversations?
KDHX began partnering with the Conflict Resolution Center (CRC) of St. Louis in 2021. CRC is a nonprofit dedicated to helping the St. Louis community resolve conflicts and disputes more peacefully. KDHX established the partnership for a variety of reasons.
What was the Station Renewal Project?
In 2007, KDHX received a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). CPB initiated a two-phase Station Renewal Project to assist a limited number of public radio stations that were considered “at risk” stations because they were not meeting CPB expectations for listenership or financial support from listeners. KDHX fell into this category and was at risk of losing CPB funding. KDHX applied for and was granted a Station Renewal Project Grant, which was a two-year, $234,000 capacity-building grant.
Why doesn’t KDHX use the term “member”?
KDHX promotes inclusivity. KDHX has donors and supporters rather than members because at KDHX, the amount of money or the amount of time a partner can contribute is not the only measurement of someone’s investment in or commitment to KDHX nor will it have undue influence on the direction of the station.
What benefits do Donors receive?
A financial gift to KDHX ensures independent programming is available for all listeners when tuning into 88.1 FM or KDHX.org. Additionally, every donor at KDHX is a part of the Fan Club. The Fan Club is a monthly email that connects donors to music discovery by highlighting songs and videos recorded at KDHX Studios.
What is Community-Centric Fundraising?
In the last several years, KDHX has adopted a new model of fundraising known as Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF). Community-Centric Fundraising is a fundraising model grounded in equity and social justice. The ten core principles of CCF serve as a starting point for organizations to begin their CCF journey. KDHX is adapting the core principles of CCF to reflect how they show up at KDHX.
What is the process for adding new members to the board of directors?
Board members are appointed by the board or elected by the associate members (active volunteers) of KDHX. The Board maintains Board Expectations to guide the board’s work and to consider new board members. The Board regularly reviews the Board Expectations to ensure that they serve the needs of the organization and its commitments to increased board diversity.
How is KDHX doing financially?
KDHX has had a special focus on organizational financial health since 2015. In that time, KDHX has cleared over $2M of debt, established a cash reserve, had 6 “clean” annual federal audits, and invested resources back into radio programming. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the executive director and board to ensure the organization is financially healthy. KDHX went through a period of difficult financial times that called for direct action to re-establish financial health.
Why did KDHX move from the building on Magnolia?
KDHX moved from 3504 Magnolia to 3524 Washington Ave in December of 2013. Magnolia had been the home of KDHX for more than 20 years. KDHX moved for several reasons.
What happened to The Stage?
The Stage at KDHX is no longer a venue operated by KDHX. KDHX owns the building and leases the first floor, which contains a venue and bar, to Kranzberg Arts Foundation (KAF), which programs and staffs the space, now called Central Stage. There are two main reasons that KDHX no longer programs The Stage.
What happened to the Folk School?
The Folk School, as a full-fledged music school, is no longer a program of KDHX. There are a few reasons for this.
When did Kelly Wells become Executive Director?
Kelly Wells has served as executive director of KDHX since September 2016. As executive director, Kelly works to cultivate the growth and transformation of KDHX to be people-centered, connected, and clear about collective vision and values.
How much money does KDHX spend on consultants?
KDHX partners with consultants in three ways. For specific projects like strategic planning. For expert guidance around specific priorities like building anti-racist capacity. For human resources support. In 2022, KDHX spent less than 1% of its operating budget on consultants.
Why does KDHX use 3rd party facilitators for difficult conversations?
KDHX began partnering with the Conflict Resolution Center (CRC) of St. Louis in 2021. CRC is a nonprofit dedicated to helping the St. Louis community resolve conflicts and disputes more peacefully. KDHX established the partnership for a variety of reasons.
What was the Station Renewal Project?
In 2007, KDHX received a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). CPB initiated a two-phase Station Renewal Project to assist a limited number of public radio stations that were considered “at risk” stations because they were not meeting CPB expectations for listenership or financial support from listeners. KDHX fell into this category and was at risk of losing CPB funding. KDHX applied for and was granted a Station Renewal Project Grant, which was a two-year, $234,000 capacity-building grant.
Why doesn’t KDHX use the term “member”?
KDHX promotes inclusivity. KDHX has donors and supporters rather than members because at KDHX, the amount of money or the amount of time a partner can contribute is not the only measurement of someone’s investment in or commitment to KDHX nor will it have undue influence on the direction of the station.
What benefits do Donors receive?
A financial gift to KDHX ensures independent programming is available for all listeners when tuning into 88.1 FM or KDHX.org. Additionally, every donor at KDHX is a part of the Fan Club. The Fan Club is a monthly email that connects donors to music discovery by highlighting songs and videos recorded at KDHX Studios.
What is Community-Centric Fundraising?
In the last several years, KDHX has adopted a new model of fundraising known as Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF). Community-Centric Fundraising is a fundraising model grounded in equity and social justice. The ten core principles of CCF serve as a starting point for organizations to begin their CCF journey. KDHX is adapting the core principles of CCF to reflect how they show up at KDHX.
What is the process for adding new members to the board of directors?
Board members are appointed by the board or elected by the associate members (active volunteers) of KDHX. The Board maintains Board Expectations to guide the board’s work and to consider new board members. The Board regularly reviews the Board Expectations to ensure that they serve the needs of the organization and its commitments to increased board diversity.
The success of KDHX is dependent on more than just financial support.
KDHX continues to thrive because of the remarkable community of listeners who support this station with generous gifts and also through meaningful actions and words. Please take a moment to take a look at the many ways that you can support the power of music and the joy of discovery on KDHX.
– You can support KDHX with a monthly or a single gift. Every gift makes a difference and has a huge impact at KDHX. Visit Support.KDHX.org. You never have to wait for one of our on-air Drives to give.
– You can donate a vehicle you no longer need. Donate a car, truck, RV, riding mower, motorcycle, scooter, tractor or boat. Our vehicle donation partner, CARS, can answer any questions you have and get the process started.
– You can make an impact by donating Real Estate. You can donate land, second homes, rental property, commercial real estate and estates.
– Include KDHX in your will or other planned giving. Contact your tax or legal advisor to find out how you can leave a lasting impact at KDHX and ensure that KDHX’s independent programming is here for years to come.
– Record a testimonial that we can use on the air to share why KDHX is important to you. If you’ve recently donated a vehicle, record a Vehicle Donor Testimonial or if you want to share with others why KDHX is important to you, record a Donor or Listener Testimonial. Contact donate@kdhx.org for all of the details.
– Spread the word about KDHX with a bumper sticker on your car, share our content on social media and tell your friends and family to tune in at 88.1 FM or at KDHX.org.
– If you have recently given a gift to KDHX or if you give a monthly gift, check with your employer to see if they offer a Charitable Matching Gift program for their employees. You can double the impact of your support with a match.
If you have questions about anything listed above, please get in touch with Andrea in Donor Relations. Email donate@kdhx.org or call 314-925-7529.
This October KDHX is celebrating 35 years of broadcasting.
Thanks to listener-support, KDHX continues to provide joy, stimulation, inspiration and connection through our independent and commercial-free programming.
There are many ways to support KDHX and we want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed their time, shared their appreciation of KDHX with others, helped spread the word about the station with a KDHX T-shirt or a bumper sticker or given a financial gift with the donation of a vehicle or through individual giving. The partnership we have with you is why the station is here today. Thank you!
We would love your help to celebrate this KDHX milestone by asking you to “sign” the KDHX Birthday Card. Please take a moment to share any birthday wishes, special messages or anything else you would like to share about your history with KDHX.
Thank you!
Andrea
Donor Relations Director
(314) 925-7529
donate@kdhx.org
Thanks to listener-support, KDHX continues to provide joy, stimulation, inspiration and connection through our independent and commercial-free programming.
There are several ways that you can help during the Fall Drive:
You are welcome to give a financial gift by mail via check or with a gift from a Donor Advised Fund. Please send to:
KDHX
Donor Relations
3524 Washington Ave
St Louis, MO 63103
During the Drive–September 26 to October 2–you can also call 314-925-7514 to give a gift during the hours of 7am to 7pm. Please contact Andrea in Donor Relations with any questions or if you would like to give a gift before the Drive begins. Call 314-925-7529 or email donate@kdhx.org
KDHX is a registered non-profit and is listed as Double Helix Corporation (DBA KDHX Community Media) with the IRS and the tax ID is 23-7170474.
Every week at our KDHX staff meeting, we begin by reading our mission, purpose, and values statements.
The mission of KDHX is to build community through media. The purpose of KDHX is to use the power of music to engage and unite individuals and communities. Our values are responsible stewardship, unwavering independence, intentional partnership, unyielding integrity, boundless discovery, contagious passion, and unbridled joy.
Each value is followed by a “we believe” statement.
Week after week, we read through these statements together, even when we think we know exactly what they mean. Even when we are tired of reading them. Even when it’s difficult to remember why it’s important that we read them or why it’s important to have them.
Having a mission, a purpose, and a set of values is nonprofit 101. We all have them and we all put them front and center in our strategic plans and annual reports. We trot them out when we want to show that we’re doing something.
But what does it mean to have values? What does it look like for an organization? What does it look like for KDHX?
A dictionary would define values as “principles or standards of behavior. One's judgment of what's important in life.” Author and researcher Brené Brown defines them as “a way of being or believing that we hold most important.”
If values are not only principles or standards of behavior but also a way of being or believing that we hold most important, then our mission, purpose, and values shouldn’t sit on a shelf gathering dust. They can’t be something we just check off a list. Our values have to be something we actively seek to deeply understand and demonstrate.
At KDHX our mission is what we do, our purpose is why we do it, and our values define the kind of people we want to be.
And so, we read our mission, purpose, and values every week so that they become our way of being. So that they are the lens through which we view every decision, project, goal, and even personal behavior.
We are anchored to these statements. What do we do? We build community. Why do we do it? To unite individuals and communities through the power of music. Who do we want to be while doing this work? We want to be aligned with our people-centered values that create connections and belonging, foster passion and joy, and cling to integrity and independence.
Every week as we read our mission, purpose, and values together, there is a deeper understanding and a sharper awareness of not only what these values mean, but how we can use them to guide us and define us. Being present with our values sets the tone for everything we do. Our goal at KDHX is to remain intensely curious and open as we continue to learn our way of being within our community.
The KDHX on-air Drives are when the partners of KDHX–the listeners, the staff, the volunteers and donors–demonstrate that they are united in their passion to ensure that there is always an abundance of diverse, unique and entertaining music to be experienced every minute of the day on KDHX. Together, we make KDHX possible.
Every gift has an impact and makes a difference. Please give as generously as you can. Support.KDHX.org
You are welcome to give by mail via check or with a gift from a Donor Advised Fund:
KDHX
3524 Washington Ave
St Louis, MO 63103
During the Drive, you can also call 314-925-7514 to give a gift during the hours of 7am to 7pm. Please call Andrea in Donor Relations with any questions. 314-925-7529.
Notice: The KDHX live stream player is offline due to an equipment issue.
This also means that the archives will be out of service until it is fixed.
We are working to remedy the situation as quickly as possible.
Thanks for your patience and we apologize for the inconvenience.
-The KDHX Staff
You can help power every inspired moment of independent music you’ll enjoy on KDHX in the new year by giving a Year-End gift today! Visit Support.KDHX.org
Every gift has an impact at KDHX. Please give as generously as you can to support the world of discovery that can only be experienced on a commercial-free and independent station.
KDHX is committed to sharing independent music with everyone every day. Your support today will help ensure that the power of music and the joy of discovery continues in 2022.
Please also consider donating a vehicle you no longer need this holiday season.
In addition to using Support.KDHX.org to donate, you can also give a single gift or start a monthly gift by calling 314-925-7529.
Individual donations and gifts from a Donor Advised Fund can be mailed to:
KDHX
3524 Washington Ave
Saint Louis, MO 63103
All gifts are tax deductible and our Tax ID is 23-7170474
For questions or more information please reach out to:
Andrea Dunn - Donor Relations Director:
Email: donate@kdhx.org
Phone: (314) 925-7529
In October of this year, I observed my 20th anniversary as a KDHX volunteer and eight years in my current staff position as the Donor Relations Director. Over the last two decades it has been an honor and a privilege to be part of this organization that so many people hold dear and consider to be one of the best things about living in St. Louis.
In 2020, the pandemic had a great effect on the nonprofit world. Some nonprofits flourished and others suffered great losses in funding. KDHX saw growth both in the number of donors, in the amount of funding we received from individuals and from vehicle donations. Why did the station do so well during the pandemic? We believe it is because we offer the much needed service of music that continues to serve as a refuge and a place of joy for so many during extremely hard times. And, as a radio station, we have the advantage of the airwaves to encourage people to donate and to form connections with the communities we serve.
As 2021 began, we were unsure if the growth we experienced in 2020 could be maintained. The projection in the public media sector was that funding would return to pre-pandemic levels. We are happy to report that the gains we saw in 2020 continue to be maintained and even exceeded. One of the goals of our Strategic Plan is to increase revenue by 5% each year over the next three years and we are already above our goal for 2021. The funding from our vehicle donation program this year is double what it was in 2020 and income from businesses, organizations and nonprofits that contribute to KDHX is rebounding from the hit it took during the lockdown phase of the pandemic.
As we prepare for 2022, we are excited to continue the work that is laid out in our Strategic Plan and to maintain the growth we have experienced over the last two years. As a staff, we continue to evaluate all facets of KDHX to ensure that we are a truly equitable organization and that includes the Donor Relations department. I am currently immersed in learning more about a relatively new fundraising philosophy known as Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF). There are several principles of this fundraising approach, many of which are a natural fit for KDHX. Here are a few of the CCF principles that we have begun to employ:
One of the other tenets of CCF is that every donation, no matter the amount, is equally valued and that is why, earlier this year, we removed the minimum donation amount to be a member of the KDHX Fan Club. While we will continue to offer suggested donation amounts, we will also ensure that all of our donors know that their support is valued and has a true impact no matter how much they can give.
Even before the idea of CCF was introduced to us, the belief that all gifts have an impact has always been part of KDHX’s foundation. This station has an incredibly wide-ranging audience that is very socioeconomically diverse. We have donors who gave us their stimulus checks in 2020 because they could afford to do so and we have donors who live from paycheck to paycheck and some whose sole income is from their social security or disability checks. They all give to KDHX because this station plays an important part in their lives and they want to be part of its success. Everyone who donates should receive the same degree of gratitude and recognition.
We also recognize that not everyone can support KDHX financially and we are exploring ways to redefine what it means to be a “donor.” For instance, we have many listeners who are unable to give a gift of cash but they are able to donate a vehicle. How can people contribute to the success of KDHX in ways outside of giving a gift or even volunteering? We want to encourage and define “ambassadorship” and are developing ways of measuring the impact of listener participation outside of traditional metrics.
You may have noticed that I do not hold the title of Director of Development, rather I am the Donor Relations Director. The emphasis here being that my focus is building relationships with our donors rather than seeing them only as a source of funding. Gifts from our donors are much more than just a donation—they are a declaration of commitment to commercial-free and independent radio. Our donors’ incentive to give is not because their gifts are tax-deductible but because they appreciate and value what this station stands for and offers.
I am honored to work with all of the partners that make this station possible—our listeners and donors and my fellow staff members along with our dedicated group of volunteers. Together, we will strengthen the role of public media and deliver the power of music and the joy of discovery to every one.
Just about the same time as KDHX turned 34 this October, I marked 20 years as a staff member and volunteer. It has been a wild ride, and I can say with fondness that I have seen many different faces in this wonderful community resource, and feel today as warmly and proud to be a part of it as ever.
It strikes me that the now mainstream language related to equality in our communities is aligned with KDHX’s long standing ideals. Terms such as “equity,” “inclusion,” and “diversity,” now standard in the modern workplace, are the very concepts that drew me to leaving my corporate agency job for that “odd little non-profit community radio station on the South Side that plays everything, and does a healthy amount of live music.” (In fact, the first band I joined as a new musician in St. Louis played on air, on Stumble in the Dark at least twice in the late 90’s.)
Providing training and access to broadcast tools and to the airwaves, and thereby enabling our skilled and unskilled volunteers to participate at a professional level is one of the great tenets of the KDHX legacy, and one of my greatest joys in practice. The production department assumes direct responsibility for maintaining the systems and culture of learning that allow our volunteer producers to entertain and inform you on our platforms with near autonomy. The department’s team of advisors rely upon principles of responsible stewardship of resources, both technical and human, and partnership with our volunteers in order to consistently provide great content to our audience, while maintaining the highest possible quality standards for content that represents and aligns with our mission of building community through media.
At times, our most responsible stewardship of resources is the “pivot,” redirecting existing volunteer, intern and organizational resources into more practical or sustainable programs and systems, based on ever-changing needs and industry parameters. Here are some examples of recent department pivots in action.
The Pandemic and Production: We directed resources from regular live audio and event support, hands-on internship programs, and in-person new volunteer training, to offsite recording support for our DJs and producers, and in support of the media department. We began conducting lots and lots of training online. All DJs/show hosts and short feature content producers were given the option to handle their shows from home, and to be advised on how to do their regular KDHX volunteer production responsibilities from home. As Zoom became more universal, we began working with our talk programming/podcast hosts to record and produce their programs with guests online. Eventually we were able to bring calendar and short feature producers back to regular weekly production in house with staggered schedules and strict studio reservation policies. Our long-standing “Live at KDHX” series, in which we’ve invited musical artists to perform live on our airwaves in order to connect with new audiences, has endured despite the shutdown situations related to the pandemic. We have maintained this tradition and special feature of our resources by finding safe ways to produce our Listen Live & Local programming, which has continued monthly throughout these very strange past few years.
Infrastructure Investment: A current standard in the Radio industry for content delivery, our automation system allows content scheduling and detailed reporting. This is the system we use to broadcast short pre-recorded announcements and features, and with a recent upgrade, we have created new content delivery options for our producers. This represents an investment in stability and reliability for a critical system that has many benefits to our production team and volunteer producers. Among the most important of the new features is a health/safety conscious option to broadcast from any studio in the building, helping to avoid cross-over studio occupation between transitioning volunteer DJs and content producers.
Pivoting with Innovation: Somewhat incredible to me, a person who has been working with A/V production technology since well before Y2K, I am frankly blown away by the way that Zoom and other online video conferencing technology has revolutionized our industry. I find it particularly interesting in terms of increased access during an isolated time. While access to communication tools and tech are at an all time high, artists and musicians find themselves more hungry for audience connection opportunities, and are more accessible than ever. The difficulties presented by studio production technique and physical presence to conduct an interview, conversation, story or even a full-on performance are no longer prohibitive in ways they once were (very recently!). Our team has quickly identified the training opportunities and basic needs for our producers and guests to learn how to produce broadcast-ready content with these revolutionary tools. We look forward to the incredible opportunities that these trends offer us as story producers, content and context creators, and how it will certainly benefit our audience and our programming. Cool stuff!
KDHX leadership and the volunteer and audience partnerships that have been our lifeblood are in a great place to be able to maintain our programming, as well as increase stakeholder communication and engagement, and to achieve the many other goals set forth in our 2021-2024 Strategic Plan. The production department along with the other staff teams have the great responsibility for the very practical parts of that maintenance, but also, the tested systems and tools to support unflinching anti-racist capacity, desired growth of audience and community partnerships, and a more diverse volunteer base. I look forward to witnessing that growth, and working to facilitate KDHX realizing its full potential as an exemplary leader in practice in independent broadcasting.
KDHX is celebrating 34 years of broadcasting this October!
Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the success of this station for more than three decades. Whether you have contributed your time, your efforts, or your financial support, all of us thank you for collaborating with the staff and volunteers to make KDHX one of the most successful independent stations in the country.
We would love your help in celebrating KDHX by asking you to “sign” the KDHX Birthday Card. Please take a moment to share any birthday wishes, special messages or anything else you would like to share about your history with KDHX.
Thank you!
The KDHX Team
Thank you for thinking of KDHX for your vehicle donation.
Our partner CARS, will handle the entire process for you from start to finish. You can contact our KDHX representative there at: 1-877-534-9876. You can also start the process online and find answer to your questions at: https://kdhx.careasy.org/home
Our vehicle donation partner, CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), is also a non-profit located in San Diego. Since 2005 they have helped generate over $200,000,000 in revenue for public media. Through its car donation program, CARS supports On the Go, a local program providing affordable transportation solutions and delivery services to San Diego seniors. Every year, they reinvest in their community through meals and transportation solutions. They also have several additional programs through their parent organization, Jewish Family Service of San Diego. During the pandemic they provided over 1.5 million warm meals and access to a food pantry for San Diego residents in need.
Find out more about CARS and the work they do:
The past decade at KDHX can be characterized by tremendous transition, growth, and obstacles. I recently shared that we have undergone a strategic planning process to guide us through a journey of (un)learning and leading. At the center of the process was the question, “How must KDHX boldly adapt and grow in order to advance its important mission-- to build community through media?”
Based on engagement with staff, donors, funders, volunteers and other KDHX community members, we committed to three key priority areas. To enact change within these priority areas, the Board of Directors and staff have identified and agreed to action steps.
You can read about the first and second of these priority areas here.
The third of those three priorities is to increase financial stewardship and management. Like any nonprofit organization, diversifying funding streams and ensuring that fundraising practices are sustainable is a key ongoing consideration. In particular, we are interested in more fully aligning our funding strategy to our organization values. This will mean shifting a community-centric model of fundraising to create greater sustainability and ability to grow. (Community-centric fundraising is a fundraising model that is grounded in equity and social justice, which prioritizes community over individual organizations, fosters a sense of belonging and interdependence, presents work as holistic, and encourages mutual support between nonprofits. You can learn more at communitycentricfundraising.com.)
Here is our plan for this priority area over the next three years:
Increase Financial Stewardship & Management
The goal:
By 2024, KDHX will increase fundraising by 15% by diversifying fundraising streams and implementing sector best practices for stewardship and financial management.
KDHX has experienced great financial support from its listeners over the past years. By adopting a Community-Centered approach to fundraising efforts, the organization can diversify and expand its existing donor base and increase financial income. Diversifying channels of financial support and seeing a culture of philanthropy will create a strong foundation of funding for building capacity and program growth. Developing processes and procedures around donor communication, stewardship, and financial management will allow for transparency, efficiency, and advancement of resource development.
Achievement of this goal will be attained using the following action steps:
1: Adopt Fund Development Standard Operating Process & Procedures
-Increase efficiency and ensure transparency in fundraising practices
-Adopt community-centric donor communications and develop timeline
-Draft/update policies as needed
2: Adapt resource development activities to reflect Community-Centric Fundraising (CCF) practices
- Create a fund development plan to increase organizational fundraising by 15% over three years
-Set short-term and mid-term strategies for existing and new revenue streams
-Obtain board approval
3: Engage Fund Development Committee
-Align committee with CCF principles; rewrite committee description & expectations
-Obtain buy-in, roll-off and/or recruit
-Prepare for/communicate intensive engagement to build committee culture
4: Board Development and Training
-Strengthen board leadership and commitment; review and update Board Policies to align with strategic plan goals
-Obtain buy-in and/or roll-off
-Redefine board roles & responsibilities (Governance Committee)
-Adopt a Board Matrix & Standard for Representation
-Develop & Implement Board Orientation and ongoing training series
-Practice mission engagement and Board fellowship
To learn more about our strategic plan, click here.
Kelly Wells
Executive Director
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