KRCU tops goal in fall campaign drive

KRCU, the Public Radio affiliate station at Southeast Missouri State University, raised slighlty more than $30,000 in its fall fund drive, the most ever raised in its semiannual fund drives.

Dan Woods, the station's general manager, said he was happy with the amount of money raised, which slightly exceeded the station's $30,000 goal. The fund drive raised money from 251 donors including 91 new donors.

"Considering the current economic climate, that is just great," said Woods, whose station also raised over $29,000 in March to help fund programs and operations.

The fall campaign began with "Cyber Days" online pledging Oct. 19-20, and followed up with live, on-air pledging from Oct. 21-26. This was the first time for online pledging. Woods said it generated 23 pledges of financial support.

Boosting the signal

The station's signal at 90.9 FM can be heard throughout 50- to 60-mile radius of Cape Girardeau. Prior to boosting the signal in March, the station could be heard in about a 30-mile radius.

"We went from reaching 70,000 people to reaching 102,000 people in the region," Woods said.

KRCU has been a Public Radio station for a dozen years, but only started its fund drives in 1995. "We really are still a young Public Radio station," Woods said.

Woods said KRCU plans to continue to set its fund-drive goals at $30,000 for now.

The station also hopes to attract new listeners to its classical music and public affairs programming. "We need to continue to let people know we are here," he said.