KAOS Community Radio is turning its fall pledge drive into a group effort, opening its airwaves Tuesday, Nov. 10, to other nonprofits participating in this year's Give Local campaign.
The Olympia station at 89.3 FM will run the pledge drive from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to a blog post on the station's website. Along with seeking donations for itself, KAOS invited other Give Local nonprofits to reach listeners through pre-recorded messages and in-studio appearances throughout the day.
"This year, instead of just asking for support for our station, we liked the idea of sharing our platform with other interested nonprofits," said Jonny Hamilton, KAOS station manager.
Hamilton said the station's volunteer radio hosts are active in the community and support many of the nonprofits involved in the campaign.
Give Local is an annual fundraising campaign hosted by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound. The foundation has invited nonprofits and fiscally sponsored groups based in Lewis, Mason and Thurston counties to register since 2017. This year's campaign runs Nov. 9–20 at spsgives.org.
KAOS said last year's Give Local campaign raised over $1.6 million in donations spread among 154 participating nonprofits, including the station itself.
The station receives most of its operating support from The Evergreen State College and its students. It also seeks donations from listeners and businesses. Staff and volunteers decided to combine the fall pledge drive with Give Local this year, the station said.
KAOS has also offered to help participating nonprofits create public service announcements to air during the drive.
Mary Lam-Witcher, the Community Foundation's philanthropy and communications officer, said the station is "helping make sure every featured cause has a chance to shine" by offering airtime and PSA production to regional nonprofits.
Listeners who miss the Tuesday drive can donate to KAOS anytime at kaosradio.org.
