WAMU held its first on-air fundraising drive since its management change in December 2003.
The drive was held Feb. 27 through March 5 with a fundraising goal of $800,000. WAMU began the drive with the message: "We're still here, we're still producing great programming, and we still really need you," according to David Taylor, interim executive director of WAMU
"We think it was really successful," Taylor said. "We brought over 30 volunteers to answer phones and there was great spirit among staff and volunteers."
According to Walt Gillette, WAMU's director of individual giving, fundraising has been extremely positive lately. "There has been a nice turnaround from prior campaigns," Gillette said. "Our volunteer core has expanded as we are having more people answer phones for our fundraising campaigns."
Due to budget complications, staff cutbacks were made in December. Five employees were dismissed, including Ruth Thompson, senior director of marketing and communications, and Kevin Beesley, news director.
The final day of the campaign began with WAMU falling about $239,000 short of its goal. By the time "The Diane Rehm Show" went on the air at noon, $100,000 of that had been raised.
When the campaign ended, revenues totaled $756,000. WAMU is expected to receive $15,000-$30,000 in last-minute mail donations. According to Gillette, the January 2003 campaign had a goal of $750,000 and raised more than $900,000.
"The amount of money we raised is a great compliment to the staff who rolled up their sleeves," Taylor said. "Full credit goes to the staff who made the campaign so successful."
Gillette has the full confidence in Taylor serving as interim director. Taylor has kept the staff and management fair and balanced, Gillette said.
"David [Taylor] went to great lengths with the administration and the president to work out trust issues the station had."
He added, "So much work goes on behind the scenes for these fundraising events," Taylor said. "It was great to watch the staff come together and come close to our total goal."
Gillette feels that since the fall, things at WAMU have had a refreshing turnaround. "We've found that when we get back to members in a timely manner," Gillette said, "we have had more positive feedback and donations."
According to Taylor, as of March 6, AU has not yet begun the process of hiring a new executive director. Taylor will continue his current role as executive director for the foreseeable future.
More information on WAMU is available at its Web site, www.wamu.org.
Eagle Staff Writer Stokely Baksh contributed to this report.
