That Spring Fundrive was no joke!

UPDATED: Wednesday, April 10, 2024

We not only crushed fundrive goals, we set records.

❤️ 226 total donors (our prior record last fall was 157)

❤️ 68 new donors (25 goal)

❤️ 12 new sustainers (5 goal)

❤️ 32 returning donors (didn't give last year) (25 goal) (a new record!)

❤️ 56 streamers/out of staters (25 goal) (our prior record last fall was 29)

$15,871 of our $15,000 goal (a massive new record!).

Monday, April 1, 2024

Friends of WGDR/WGDH -

At our fundrive celebration party yesterday at the station, I told programmers that fundrives are about three things: raising money (of course), raising friends, and raising spirits. As you can see from the photo from yesterday (above), our spirits are pretty darn high, thanks to our fundrive donors. We also just had a ton of fun on the air, doing special shows, bringing in live music, hyping each other, thanking donors live, and ringing the cowbell - a lot. Truly, thank you to the programmers for making this a fun listening experience.

A special shout out to Chris Buckridge, host of Saturday's "Predictably Unpredictable," for logging 18 hours of live airtime and motivating donors to get us to key benchmarks during each of those hours. He won our first "Fundrive MVP Cowbell Award" which will be proudly displayed in the studio all year.

Gosh y'all, these last two weeks were no joke! 🙃

WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF THIS FUNDRIVE AND SO GRATEFUL TO ALL OF YOU WHO GAVE.

You heard us talk about it on the air. 84% of our funding comes from individuals like you. That's far above the 20% average for most non-profits. It is because of fundrives like this one, that bring in over 200 donors with modest gifts averaging $66, that we are able to be funded in this way. Nearly half of our donors this drive were the folks who give every single year, every single drive. We see you and we love ya' for it!

Those 68 new donors, combined to bring in $4K. New supporters ensure that we are building our capacity from community support. We are also so glad to have 26 donors who haven't given in the last year, to come back to support us with $1,500 toward the drive. Together, new donors and returning donors keep us rolling.

Looking ahead, our 12 new sustainers now join with the rest of our monthly supporters (77 in total) to fund over $1,400 a month (that's about 15% of our whole budget) - a huge deal for still such a young non-profit like us.

Lastly, our listening audience has exploded online. We now have over 3,000 folks listening each month - from far and sometimes not so far away (Richmond, Colchester, White River Junction, and other places around Vermont). These folks are investing in the station just as much as our broadcast listeners. The 56 streamers together gave $3K toward the drive.

These stats are not just for the fundraising nerds. They reflect a community that is stepping up to fund the success of WGDR & WGDH. Thank you all!

If you missed your chance to give, you still can! Just know that you can’t be entered to win the prizes. Give securely at WGDR.org or by check to “CVCR” and mail to 123 Pitkin Rd. Plainfield, VT 05667.

We will now return you to our regularly scheduled programming this week. Phew! 😊

As always, thanks for tuning in and supporting the stations.

Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, Station Manager

Llu@WGDR.org, 802-276-0365

April Special Short-Run Program: Uplift Conversations

As part of April’s Sexual Violence Prevention Month, we will air a short, limited-run series podcast from the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence called “Uplift Conversations.” 

Over the course of the episodes, the Network discusses really big, overwhelming concepts with experts in domestic and sexual violence prevention across the state and beyond. Things like white supremacy culture, the patriarchy, and how can we support the survivors in our lives better. With the help of the experts, the co-hosts, Jess Barquist, and Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, attempt to break down these concepts into bite-sized nuggets of understanding that we can all integrate into our lives to make a big impact on ourselves and our communities. 

Tune in on Thursdays, 6-7pm, for the 6-episode series, starting April 4 and running until May 9. 

This series will temporarily pre-empt the rerun of Democracy Now on Thursday nights at 6pm. Listeners can listen to the Thursday show on our archives in the 8am slot at WGDR.org. 

Learn more about the Vermont Network at VTNetwork.org. 

April 8: Solar Eclipse Programming

Did you know the sun is going to “totally eclipse our Vermont hearts” on Monday, April 8? We’re expecting lots of folks to visit our totality path here in the state and we’re proud to offer a special program “Solar Soundtrack” for the actual eclipse, 2-4pm hosted by Sydonia of Theme Time Radio (first Mondays of the month at 7pm).

They will play a solar themed music show and have special guests, including an astrologer and famed, Mark Breen from the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium.

The eclipse will start at 2:15pm and go through 3:29pm, with about 1 minute and 25 seconds of totality by the moon.

Central Vermont Community Radio will also be part of the Montpellier Alive statehouse events that day from 12-2pm by providing live DJing by our very own Xav (Xav Wax). More details coming soon to: https://www.montpelieralive.com/eclipse

Spring Drive Donor Contest

We appreciate every single dollar and put it all toward keeping the station sounding great. WIth your help, we will meet every goal of the 2024 Spring FunDrive, especially that $15,000 big goal.

There are lots of ways to give:

• Go to the drive website and donate by credit card, venmo, PayPal or more.

• Or on the drive site pledge a check and then send it made out to “CVCR” and mail it to the station at WGDR, 123 Pitkin Rd. Plainfield, VT 05667.

  Every donor who gives by March 31 will be entered to win a prize or receive a perk!
  

• If you give $50 or more we will send you a limited edition 50th anniversary full-color sticker and a copy of our 2024 schedule.

• If you give $200 or more, we'll send you anything of your choice from our swag shop!

All donors who give during our two-week drive (March 16-31) will be entered to win prizes donated by Vermont businesses and organizations. 

Tickets to shows like:

• The Beatles Experience at the Barre Opera House on April 12

• Prairie Home Companion at the Flynn April 20

• Dave Keller Band at Highland Arts Center on April 27

• the Flaming Lips at Higher Ground's summer waterfront stage on July 26

• Cabot Arts Music Festival on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27

Or A Bread & Puppet banner.

We will also have individual show incentives for giving levels. Tune in to hear more!

CVCR Contest Rules
Anyone who donated online or by check dated during our Spring FunDrive, March 16-31, will be entered to win one of the incentive prizes donated from local businesses and organizations. You must donate during the two weeks to be eligible to win. Per station policy, no paid staff, programmers, volunteers, board, or contractors are eligible to win.

Any questions can be sent to the Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak at Llu@WGDR.org or at (802) 276-0365.

Thank you for supporting WGDR/WGDH!

Special Spring Drive Programming

We really make drives a fun time by going above and beyond with our regular programming and adding on special extra shows. This is our way of thanking drive donors who are helping us fund this mighty fine pair of community radio stations: WGDH & WGDR. For this spring drive, we have a little of everything! Live music, themed shows, special guests, extended shows, special shows teaming up programmers together. It is going to be a lot of fun to listen to (and make!). Below is most of what we plan to do. Thanks for tuning in and giving by March 31 to help us hit that $15,000 goal!

Week One: Saturday, March 16-Saturday, March 23

• Saturday, March 16

• 10am-noon: Predictably Unpredictable with Chris Buckridge - Special Programming: All soundtrack music!

• 4-7pm: Acoustic Harmony with Mark Michaelis - Live Music: Jim Rooney is a musician, producer, audio engineer, grammy award winner & author with more than a 60 year career in the music industry.  Some of his clients have included, Nanci Griffith, Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bonnie Raitt and many others.  Jim has lived in VT for over 40 yrs and will join Mark around 4:30pm for over an hour of music and stories related to his long career.

• 8-10pm: Special Extra Programming: DJ Llu Drive Kick Off Night Dance Party!

• Sunday, March 17

• 7am-10am: Curse of the Golden Turnip - Special Programming: 3 hour extended show, with a special guest.

• 7-9pm: The Revel Level with DJ EhMmAhhh: Special Programming: A giving themed set and legendary dance shows to kick it off FunDrive weekend!

• Monday, March 18 

• 6-7pm Special Extra Programming: Kevin Titterton and Chris Buckridge team up for a super duo co-host a music show!

• Tuesday, March 19

• 11am-2pm: Get Fresh with DJ Llu - Special Extra Programming: midday three-hour live dance party, including a special all vinyl set. 

• 6-9pm: Still Life with DJ Club Soda & Orange Peel - Special Extra Programming: A 3 hour, extended show with both hosts!

• Wednesday, March 20

• 4-6pm: Special Extra Programming: Hit That Perfect Beat, Boy: An hour of Bronski Beat and Friends with Barry Matthews, live in the studio!

• 6-7pm: Special Extra Programming: Suppertime Punk with Chris Buckridge: Punk Rock, ‘nuff said! 

• Thursday, March 21

• 6-9pm: Xav Wax w/ Xav - Special Extra Programming: A three hour special vinyl set with Xav!

• Friday, March 22

• 6-9pm: Barndance Bluegrass - Special Extra Programming: A three hour Grassers show, with live music kickin in at 7pm.

• Saturday, March 23

• 9-10am: Kitchen Permaculture w/ Rebecca Beidler - Donor Incentive: Give at least $20 during the show and be entered to win a free spot at the Peace of the Earth Farm mushroom log workshop in April.

• 4-7pm: Acoustic Harmony with Mark Michaelis - Live Music: Burlington based Patrick Fitzsimmons will make a return visit to Acoustic Harmony.  He has just released a brand new album and will be joining Mark live on air around 5pm to share new music and stories from his long career as both a solo artist and 

• 7-10pm: Special Programming! A special InCommon Sounds with Brother B: A special three hour, Saturday night episode of this iconic WGDR/WGDH show.

Week Two: Sunday, March 24-Sunday, March 31

• Sunday, March 24

  • 7am-10am: Curse of the Golden Turnip with Alan LePage and Steven Farnham - Extended three hour show, with special guest: Rose Friedman of the Civic Standard in Hardwick on March 24. Rose and her husband, Justin Lander gained fame before covid as Vermont Vaudeville. They are now Modern Times Theatre. The Civic Standard is a community space for performances community suppers and camaraderie.

  • 9-11pm: Spiral Galaxy: Tribute or Rip-off? Tom will play two songs and a special live panel will vote on whether they think the latter song was a tribute to the original or an uncredited rip-off. FUNdrive indeed!

• Monday, March 25

• 6-9pm: Borderlands with DJ Tenderman - Special Extra Programming: A special three hour show!

• Tuesday, March 26

• 11am-2pm: Get Fresh with DJ Llu - Special Extra Programming: A three-hour tribute show to all the wonderful local programming we have on the air. Tune in to hear all 50 shows highlighted by a curated soundtrack of tunes.

• 6-9pm: Still Life with DJ Club Soda & Orange Peel - Special Extra Programming: A 3 hour, extended show with both hosts!

• Wednesday, March 27

• 12-2pm: Get Fresh with DJ Llu - a fundrive hype up show, full of the usual new music, to get our midday listeners to kick in.

• 6-7pm - Special Extra Programming: Suppertime Funk with Chris Buckridge: Funk Rock, ‘nuff said! 

• Thursday, March 28

• 4-6pm: Get Fresh with DJ Llu - a fundrive hype up show, full of the usual new music, to get our afternoon listeners to kick in.

• 6-9pm: Xav Wax w/ Xav - Special Extra Programming: A three hour special vinyl set with Xav!

• Friday, March 29

• 6-9pm: Barndance Bluegrass - Special Extra Programming: A three hour Grassers show, with live music kickin in at 7pm.

• Saturday, March 30

• 9am-noon: Predictably Unpredictable with Chris Buckridge,  Special Extra Programming: A special three hour episode, details coming.

• 4-7pm: Acoustic Harmony with Mark Michaelis  - Live Music - The West Townsend, VT duo Hungrytown will make their first appearance on Acoustic Harmony.  Rebecca Hall & Ken Anderson have been touring across the country and worldwide for nearly 20 years and will be releasing a brand new album later this year.  They will join Mark on air around 5pm so share new & old music and regale listeners with tales of many their travels.

• 7-10pm: Special Programming! A special all-request show with Savannah!

• Sunday, March 31

• 7am-10am: Curse of the Golden Turnip - Special Programming: 3 hour extended show, with a special guest.

• 7-11pm: A Spring Drive Wrap Party across the Revel Level & Spiral Galaxy.

Spring FunDrive 2024

We want to make the WGDR & WGDH spring fundrive a great listening experience for you. You won't hear boring pitches, you will hear special programming, themes, special guests, live performances, and more. We will give you our best on the air and ask that you show the station how much it means to you by donating between March 16-31.

We appreciate every single dollar and put it all toward keeping the station sounding great. Together, we can raise our goal of $15,000 this spring.

You can give online via credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and more or pledge a check online, then send it our way.

Drive donor perks!

If you give $50 or more we will send you a limited edition 50th anniversary full-color sticker and a copy of our 2024 schedule.

If you give $200 or more, we'll send you anything of your choice from our swag shop!

All donors who give during our two-week drive will be entered to win prizes donated by Vermont businesses and organizations. See the list of all prizes.

Help us meet our drive goals this spring:

• Raise $15,000 (or more!) to pay the everyday bills that keep the station rolling.

• 5 new sustaining donors. Think of it like one of your many streaming services. What monthly value do we provide to your listening needs? $10? $15? $25? 

• 10 out-of-state donors. We see you streamers! Thank you for listening from near and far online.

• 25 new donors. We love first-time donors! You build our capacity across our listening area.

• 25 returning donors. Did you forget to give to the station last year? Make this drive the one you return to giving with us. We missed you and appreciate your support. 

  Make a gift today!

  1. Give or pledge a check securely online (credit card, PayPal, venmo, etc.) by clicking the box on the upper right. Pick an amount or enter your own. Look for the tab at the top for "one-time" or "monthly." You can also pledge a check to the drive online. Simply choose "check" and enter your information. Then, send that check made out to “CVCR” and mail it to WGDR/WGDH, 123 Pitkin Road Plainfield, VT 05667. Thank you!

  2. Leave us a message about your favorite shows or why you love WGDR & WGDH.

  3. Complete the donation and choose if you want to cover the credit card processing fee or us (optional!) and a tip (to GiveButter, the platform), the tip is optional and does NOT come to us. Click the drop-down box for that and choose "$0." to skip this tip!

  4. After you donate, your donation will show up in the community donor scroll at the side of this page. Thank you so very much.

CVCR Contest Rules
Anyone who donated online or by check dated during our Spring FunDrive, March 16-31, will be entered to win one of the incentive prizes donated from local businesses and organizations. You must donate during the two weeks to be eligible to win. Per station policy, no paid staff, programmers, volunteers, board, or contractors are eligible to win.

Any questions can be sent to the Station Manager, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak at Llu@WGDR.org or at (802) 276-0365.

Thank you for supporting WGDR/WGDH!

Central Vermont Community Radio (CVCR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations are tax-deductible under state and federal law.