Why does VPR need membership drives?
On-air membership drives are public radio's life blood -they continue to be the most effective way to raise money for this station and others across the country. A direct appeal for support over the airwaves reinforces the importance of VPR in listeners' lives, and allows us reach new members by educating them about the organization and our programming.

Why do you keep repeating the phone number?
Most people have to hear a message several times before it registers, and usually several more before they take action. We’re committed to fundraising in a way that balances VPR's financial needs with our obligation to maintain great programming, and that goes for pledge drives, too. You will likely keep hearing that phone number as well as VPR.net, but we’d be delighted to hear your thoughts and suggestions about what would inspire you to make a contribution. Email us anytime with your thoughts.

Why does VPR have to raise so much money?
About 90 percent of VPR's funding comes from the local community. As a community licensee, VPR is not affiliated with a public television station or a college or university from which we could receive funding, building space and other shared resources. This helps us control and maintain both broadcast and fiduciary independence, but the result is that VPR relies more on listeners like you to help pay for the programming you hear.

In the last several years we have been working to reduce the amount of time we spend fundraising on the air. One way we're able to do this is thanks to our sustaining members, who give to VPR on a monthly basis and account for a growing portion of our membership income. Click here to learn more about becoming a sustaining member of VPR.

VPR is dedicated to setting financial goals based on real needs as well as to spending our members' dollars wisely and efficiently. You can see a breakdown of how VPR receives and spends its funding here.

I have a question about making a pledge to VPR.
Check out our Membership FAQ for answers to common questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact us and we'd be happy to help you out.