MPBN Surpasses One-Day Radio Drive Goal

(LEWISTON, Maine) – The Maine Public Broadcasting Network’s innovative Super Thursday One-Day Radio Pledge effort exceeded its spring membership drive goal on Thursday night, raising $374,000. During the 24-hour period, over 3,750 listeners donated by phone and online resulting in a pledge total that set a record for the organization. More than 18% of the callers were new members.

This was the single most successful radio pledge drive in the history of the organization and the largest ever raised in one day for MPBN.

More than 81 volunteers helped answer phones in both the Bangor and Portland studios, as calls came in steadily, and social media sites spread the word encouraging online pledges.

“I want to thank all of our generous listeners across Maine who helped make MPBN one of the national leaders with this concept,” said President & CEO Mark Vogelzang. “The amazing success of this drive reminds us all about the loyalty of public radio and our listeners’ willingness to step up during a challenging time for the organization.”

MPBN was threatened with a zero funding from the State Administration in the second biennial budget, which was overturned by the Joint Appropriations Committee of the Legislature. MPBN’s state appropriations are still slated to be reduced by 13.5% next fiscal year.

Membership and business underwriting revenue provide more than 60% of MPBN’s $11.2 million budget. MPBN receives approximately 17% of its funding from the State of Maine, and 15% from federal funding and grants.

With the overwhelming success of the past two one-day drives, MPBN announced they will continue this strategy this summer. Jennifer Foley, MPBN’s VP of Development stated, “The members have spoken and we heard them. Uninterrupted programming is what they want and really what we want too, so we are dropping plans for a 7-day radio fundraiser this summer, and instead will keep the momentum of another Super Thursday One-Day Radio Pledge Drive on August 16th.”

MPBN was founded by the University of Maine system, along with Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges, and can be heard on 90.9 Bangor; 90.1 Portland, 89.7 Calais; 90.5 Camden; 91.3 Waterville, 106.1 Presque Isle, and 106.5 Fort Kent, and 24 hours a day at mpbn.net. For more information, visit mpbn.net.

###