FAQs

Membership Questions:

How much do I have to give to become a Member?

How do I give by check?

Is my Alaska Public Media contribution tax-deductible?

Why do you do so many fundraisers?

My renewal is not due for 8 weeks, yet I received a renewal notice today. Why so early? And, if I send in my renewal at this time, will I lose the two months from my current membership year?

When can I expect to receive my thank you gift?

My parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year, and I want to do something truly special to honor them. They listen to KSKA all day, every day; how can I have their day commemorated on KSKA’s airwaves?

Does Alaska Public Media exchange their contributors’ names with other organizations?

Does Alaska Public Media receive tax money? If so, why is it so important that I donate money to become a Member?

Can I pay my membership in monthly or quarterly installments?

Why am I receiving duplicate communications from Alaska Public Media?

Why am I not receiving any communications from Alaska Public Media?

How do I find out if my company has a matching gift program?

I am canceling my current credit card. How do I get the new credit card information to Alaska Public Media in order to keep up my monthly payments?

I am interested in a thank-you gift from a previous pledge drive. Is it still possible to get it?

Does Alaska Public Media offer program schedules and information online?

What is the Leadership Circle?

Underwriting and Non-Profit Announcements Questions:

Do you air advertisements?

How much revenue comes from the business community?

Government Support Questions:

How much revenue comes from the State and Federal Governments?

Overall Cost and Revenue Breakdown:

Do you have a summary of Alaska Public Media’s revenue sources?

How much do Alaska Public Media’s programs really cost to air?

Membership Answers

Q. How much do I have to give to become a Member?

Any level that is comfortable for you, is comfortable for Alaska Public Media. Sustainers must give at least $5/month ($60/year), but other than that, there is no minimum or maximum level for membership!

Q. How do I give by check?

Please make checks payable to Alaska Public Telecommunications, Inc. and address them to:
Alaska Public Media
3877 University Drive
Anchorage Alaska 99508
Thank you!

Q. Is my Alaska Public Media contribution tax-deductible?

Your contribution to Alaska Public Media is tax-deductible after subtracting the value of any thank-you gifts. We will mail you a confirmation of your contribution, which can be used for your tax records. For more information or to ask a question, please contact us – 907-550-8400.

Q. Why do you do so many fundraisers?

Your individual support pays for the programs you love and rely on, from the PBS NewsHour to Morning Edition to Talk of Alaska to MASTERPIECE! Membership support is also used to upgrade our equipment, pay for operating expenses and fulfill our public media mission by providing content that keeps our communities informed of current affairs as well as airing shows that inspire and delight. We utilize on-air pledge drives as well as digital and direct mail campaigns. Alaska Public Media is a 501(c)(3) organization registered in the State of Alaska. It is members like you who understand that your contributions are an essential part of fulfilling Alaska Public Media’s mission.

Q. My renewal is not due for 8 weeks, yet I received a renewal notice today.

Why so early? And, if I send in my renewal at this time, will I lose the two months from my current membership year?

The early renewal notice offers some flexibility for contributors. Many people prefer to pay their membership as part of their monthly bills, so the early notice can easily be incorporated into their household’s budget planning. When you submit payment, your membership benefits will be extended one year from the end of your current anniversary date.

Q. When can I expect to receive the thank-you gift I was promised when I contributed during a Membership drive?

Thank-you gifts generally arrive six to eight weeks after your payment has been processed. If it has been more than eight weeks since you contributed, then we will review your record to confirm and expedite its delivery, or offer a very good excuse.

Q. My parents will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary this year, and I want to do something truly special to honor them. They listen to KSKA all day, every day; how can I have their day commemorated on KSKA’s airwaves?

Personal on-air messages, or KSKA Days, are a benefit available at the Contributor Level of $500. A written message by the contributor is broadcast five separate times in a given time period on the date of their choice. For a more complete and detailed descriptions, along with messaging guidelines, check out alaskapublic.org/kskaday, or call the 550-8400 during business hours.

Q. Do KAKM and KSKA sell their contributors’ names with other organizations?

No, we don’t sell lists or names.

Q. Does Alaska Public Media receive tax money? If so, why is it so important that I donate money to become a member?

Alaska Public Media does not directly receive money from your taxes. When public broadcasting began operations, the federal government created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB receives appropriations from the federal government marked to support local television stations, programming and improvements to the public broadcasting system as a whole. APTI applies for funds to this organization every year and adheres to the guidelines established by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in order to continue to receive their support and continue affiliation with PBS. Distribution from CPB is determined by market size.

Alaska Public Media receives approximately 25 percent of our annual budget from the CPB, state, and other grants. This however leaves 75 percent of our budget to be acquired through the community and membership is the largest single source of revenue for this station and many others. Without the support of members, public broadcasting, in all its forms, would simply not exist. Additionally, local support is important for more than just the dollars needed to run the station; it provides a critical relationship between the station and the community we serve.

Q. Can I pay my membership in monthly or quarterly installments?

Yes, you can! Set up your Sustaining Membership to be charged on your credit or debit card online. Or, call the Membership department at 550-8400. Sustaining Memberships automatically renew.

Q. Why am I receiving duplicate communications from Alaska Public Media

You may have a duplicate record in our membership database. The first step to getting it fixed is emailing Melissa at mwalker@alaskapublic.org or calling the Membership Department 550-8400.

Q. Why am I not receiving any communications from Alaska Public Media?

There are a few reasons why you may no longer receive communications from Alaska Public Media. Our letters may have been lost in the mail, we may not have your current contact information, or your membership may have expired. To inquire about the status of your membership or to update your contact information call 550-8400 or email Melissa Walker, mwalker@alaskapublic.org.

Q. How do I find out if my company has a matching gift program?

Contact your Human Resources office. Many employers share your commitment to public broadcasting and will show it by doubling your pledge of support. Our pledge pages all include a partial list of employers who participate in matching employee charitable gifts – but, it is certainly not complete.

If your company has a matching gift program and is not listed, please email the name of the company to Melissa Walker, mwalker@alaskapublic.org.

Q. I am canceling my current credit card. How do I get the new credit card information to Alaska Public Media in order to keep up my monthly payments?

Call 550-8400 or email Melissa Walker, mwalker@alaskapublic.org to update your information.

Q. I am interested in a thank-you gift from a previous pledge drive. Is it still possible to get it?

Often times, yes. Contact Melissa Walker at mwalker@alaskapublic.org or call 550-8400 to inquire.

Q. Does Alaska Pubic Media offer program schedules and information online?

Yes! Visit our website TV and Radio pages for schedules and sign up for the weekly informational newsletter, ConnAKtivity, here.

Q. What is the Leadership Circle?

The Leadership Circle is Alaska Public Media’s major donor group – folks who contribute $1,000 or more during a calendar year. Learn more here. They even have their own frequently asked questions page.

Q. Why doesn’t KSKA give away more thank you gifts?

KSKA Members have, over the years, opted more and more to have the majority of their contributions go directly to supporting the station. KSKA Members can, however, opt to receive the MemberCard, which offers discounts on dining and entertainment in Southcentral Alaska – check out our list of participating venues around Alaska. Learn more.

Underwriting and Non-Profit Announcements Answers:

Q. Do you air advertisements?

No. While the FCC prohibits “advertisements” on noncommercial stations, we are required to identify those entities that financially support the station in exchange for an announcement. There are different kinds of announcements that must comply with FCC and Alaska Public Media rules.

Donors – A for-profit entity is considered a donor. If a donor gives the station money for an announcement, we are allowed to identify the business with general information. But, stations cannot include: price information, calls to action, inducements to buy, sell, rent or lease, comparative or qualitative language in donor announcements. A non-profit organization can support the station in exchange for announcements.

Non-Profit Announcements (NPAs) – government and educational organizations and entities in the tax status of 501(C) 3 are considered non-profit. The FCC allows non-profit announcements (NPA) that promote non-profit organizations and is more lenient with language, provided that it applies only to the promotion of the non-profit group itself. NPAs are also subject to the same restrictions regarding political and advocacy announcements.

Alaska Public Media is committed to protecting our accurate, uncluttered, non-commercial sound. In addition to FCC rules and regulations, Alaska Public Media also requires: announcements not be excessively long (maximum length: :14 seconds (donor) and :29 seconds (NPA)), announcements not be pre-produced for radio, and that announcements be accurate. The wording and delivery of the announcements should match the pacing and sound of the programming during which it airs. Alaska Public Media does not allow political announcements – those that promote candidates, political parties, political action committees or groups or issues appearing on the ballot before voters.

Q. How much revenue comes from the business community?

Underwriters account for over 20% of Alaska Public Media’s monthly income. Learn about sponsorship here.

Government Support Answers:

Q. How much revenue comes from the State and Federal Government?

Alaska Public Media does not directly receive money from your taxes. When public broadcasting began operations, the federal government created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB receives appropriations from the federal government marked to support local television stations, programming and improvements to the public broadcasting system as a whole. Alaska Public Media applies for funds to this organization every year and adheres to the guidelines established by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in order to continue to receive their support and continue affiliation with PBS. Distribution from CPB is determined by market size.

Alaska Public Media recieves approximately 1/3 of our annual budget from federally funded CPB, state, and all other grants.

Overall Cost and Revenue Breakdown:

Q: Do you have a summary of Alaska Public Media’s revenue?

Here is Alaska Public Media’s Annual Local Content and Service Report