Underwrite or Sponsor WGDR & WGDH
Support those who support the station. Below are our current underwriters or sponsors.
Interested in underwriting and sponsoring the station? We have all sorts of customizable options to meet any budget, short-term (events) or longer-term (get that word out!). Our standard starter package is just $273 for six months.
Learn more and get a deal started with our Underwriting & Sponsorship Coordinator Rachel[at]WGDR.org or Chris[at]WGDR.org or by calling the office at (802) 276-0365.
Thank you!
Queer Arts Festival
Fledge Fest
Front Porch Forum
Naive Melody Instrument Exchange
Walls + Design
Hunger Mountain Coop
Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation
Talmo Hair Co.
Hardwick Community TV
DDY Design
Northfield Savings Bank
Washington Electric Coop
Vermont Arts Council
East Hill Tree Farm
Green Mountain Film Festival
Center for Arts and Learning
Noyle Johnson Group Insurance
Black Bear Biodiesel
Minuteman Press
Beats for Good
Woodbelly Pizza
University of Albany College of Emergency Preparedness
Cabot Arts Festival
Onion River Campground
Frequently Asked Underwriting or Sponsorship Questions
Could we barter our goods or services in exchange for underwriting? A: In some cases, yes! If your business provides a service the station needs as part of our existing budget, such as printing or design work, we are open to bartering.
Does underwriting or sponsorship really work to bring in customers or supporters? Yup! 70% of public (or communty) radio listeners say that underwriting has a positive impact on their purchase decisions or actions. 80% of listeners say they have positive impressions of a company or organization that supports a station. Our live stream for online listeners gets hundreds of unique listeners a day and thousands a month. We have a large listening base who is ready to support those who support the station.
Do I have to produce my spot? No! We will help write the script and record it for you. Most underwriting announcements heard on WGDR/WGDH are read live by a programmer or recorded by members of the station.
What can be included in a spot and how long are they? Run time is between about 20 seconds, which is about two sentences of content. They can contain general information about your business or organization. They can’t include calls to action, costs, or qualitivie comparisons (“we’re the best!”). Here is an example script: "The following program is underwritten by Central Vermont Economic Development Corporation. CVEDC helps businesses and local organizations of all sizes work toward sustainability by offering loans, help with business plans, workforce training, and job fairs. Learn more at CVEDC.org."
Why do businesses or organizations underwrite or sponsor the station? What is the value?
This is a great way to get in front of a very loyal audience of thousands of Vermonters in the central and northern listening area. By supporting the station, listeners are more likely to patron you. And you get to write it off as a business or outreach expenses.
Station Reach
WGDR/WGDH broadcasts to over 70,000 households in our listening area. Using a National Public Radio estmator tool on actual broadcast listeners, we estimate at least 9,000 Vermonters tune into us on their radio regularly each year.
Our digital reach combines to directly connect with nearly 5,000 individuals each month: That’s 3,000 listeners and visitors on our website, largely from Vermont; 1,700 supporters get our station update emails in their inboxes, and thousands more reached across our social media platforms.
You have the chance to reachat least 14,000 listeners of the station by underwriting or sponsoring the station
We have a diverse array of over 50 locally-made shows and over 100 shows total that draw in listeners from across Central and Northern Vermont. Along with thousands streaming online each month, we reach at least 70,000 households and businesses in our broadcast area and thousands more online every month. By underwriting or sponsoring with us, you will reach a loyal base of Vermonters who are eager to support those who support the station.
We offer the most affordable rates, by far, of any media outlet in central Vermont (we checked! Scroll down for examples). You can get started with us for as little as $10.50 an underwriting mention.
Underwriting starts at $273 for a 6 month run. We have custom packages available and sponsorship opportunities for our events, digital platforms, or live stream preroll mentions.
What is Underwriting?
Underwriting is not advertising. It is a neutral, 20-second mention of your services or entity in exchange for on-air placement. It is a non-tax deductible way to financially support our community-owned station, with a big return for your generosity from our listeners supporting you back.
We welcome businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, schools and colleges, and sole proprietorships to underwrite the station.
What is Sponsorship?
Sponsorship is a promotion for your entity or services as part of a station event or as a pre-roll recording for our live stream to our 3,000+ streamers each month. Sponsorship is far more flexible than FCC rules for underwriting for scripts but also does not include on-air broadcast mentions.
To underwrite or sponsor, contact Chris Buckridge, Underwriting & Sponsorship Coordinator at Chris[at]WGDR.org or by calling the office at (802) 276-0365. Thank you!
Area Media Advertising Rates
We share these for comparison, not competition. We fully support the range of independent and non-profit media outlets in our state.
Weekly free Central Vermont newspaper: $65-$245 per issue.
Online community email forum: $900/week to reach our listening area.
Monthly free Central Vermont newspaper: $200-$1,450 per issue.
Public radio, $67/per mention vs. WGDR/WGDH’s $10.50 per spot. *They are statewide (445,000 Vermonters, but we cover a common 70,000 in Central and Northern Vermont).