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Clean-Up Our Remaining Spring Goal

Many listeners hands make light work of the WKMS spring fundraiser goal!

“Public radio continues to prove its undisputed relevance in the modern world by providing up to the minute news, music, educational programming, and emergency communications when all other systems fail.” - Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear

See a list of Giveaways and Thank-You Gifts

Click here to make a pledge

Mail checks made payable to WKMS/MSU Foundation to: 
WKMS, 2018 University Station, Murray, KY 42071

Your gift makes it possible for WKMS to:

  • Broadcast the most comprehensive source for news in the Four Rivers Region ( international, national, state, and regional). A recent addition to the news line-up is the audio of 3 award-winning public affairs programs of Kentucky Educational Television.
  • Broadcast many kinds of music and music news (nearly 1300 hours of locally produced music programming in 2011, including recorded concerts of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and Lovett Live, and live performances in studio).
  • Broadcast calm, practical, and reliable information in case of emergencies or disasters.
  • Broadcast National Public Radio programs that make travelers and “transplants” feel welcome. 
  • Stream online two weekly schedules and on-demand playback of news and selected music.

See a graph of WKMS Expenses and Revenues for FY 2011
(Murray State and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting review your gifts annually to budget appropriations and grants. WKMS raises about 50% of its budget in individual gifts, underwriting and grants each year.)

WKMS Recognitions that your gift helped make possible: 

  • 2012 Finalist - Paducah Sun Readers' Choice Radio Station 
  • Kentucky Associated Press Awards for Excellence in News Reporting every year except one since 1990.
  • Murray Calloway County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award, 2008-2009.
  • A Gubernatorial Tribute for services during the January 2009 Ice Storm affirming WKMS was the ”sole means of communication and information on emergency services for many communities.”
  • Letter of Recognition: Outstanding coverage during community ice storm - Awarded on February 11, 2009 by the Murray State University Student Government Association.
  • Certificate of Appreciation: Distinguished service award for contributions to the student programs and activities at Murray State -Presented by Murray State University Multicultural Center on May 5, 2008.
  • Certificate of Appreciation: Outstanding Public Service during community Ice Storm of 2009 -Presented by Glendale Place Retirement Community.
  • Outstanding public service during the Ice Storm 2009 - Presented by Murray-Calloway Economic Development Corporation.
  • District Case III, Council for Support of Education - 2002 Advancement Awards Special Merit AwardFor Radio Programs and Announcements.
  • Governor’s Award in the Arts 1992 Media Award - Presented by Governor Brereton Jones.

Click here to make a pledge

New Members

Be a WKMS "Insider"

Be a WKMS “insider” with a $60 New Member Gift. Pay $5 a month. We’ll send you the latest new member kit including: a WKMS pen and bumper sticker, and an I “heart” NPR bumper sticker. You may also choose to receive our program guides, e-newsletters, and a station tour. We simply can’t do without new members!

Thank You Gifts:
Contributions to WKMS are tax-deductible, minus the fair market value of any thank you gifts received.

The Grand Supper Club Experience
Donation Amount: $1,000+
Fair Market Value: n/a; tax-deductibility not affected
Enjoy a special evening with other leadership contributors, live music, and an outdoor under-a-tent dining experience with the Drs. Dunn at Oakhurst, the official MSU Presidential Residence.

An On-Air Flight of WKMS Professional Underwriting Mentions 
Donation Amount: $500+
Fair Market Value: n/a; tax-deductibility not affected
Receive on-air announcements that identify your support (no dollar amount given), business, service or product and location.

Lunch & Station Tour 
Donation Amount: $365+
Fair Market Value: n/a; tax-deductibility not affected
Enjoy a tour of the station. Go to lunch with Station Manager Kate Lochte and learn more about how your wonderful gift becomes the foundation for everything you hear.

An On air Flight of TEN MESSAGES one Special Day
Donation Amount: $250+
Fair Market Value: n/a; tax-deductibility not affected
Say Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary or Congratulations to a friend or loved one. We'll announce your message 10 times on the special day you choose. For example, "Today’s WKMS Day Sponsors are Sid and Melissa Easley, celebrating the opening day of Murray State Normal School 88 years ago today, on September 24, 1923."

An Eton Crank Radio for your Preparedness Kit 
Donation Amount: $200+
Fair Market Value: $50
The Eton Emergency Crank Radios get power from alternative sources when you don’t have electricity (remember the Ice Storm!). Features include NOAA Weather Alert, AM/FM Weather Band Radio, and more.

A Classy New WKMS Coffee Mug 
Donation Amount: $120+
Fair Market Value: n/a; tax-deductibility not affected 
Thanks to Etcetera Coffeehouse in Paducah whose logo is also on this pretty mug. They made this gift possible. 

The Beyond the Edge Superfan T-Shirt & Quailbones CD Gift
Donation Amount: $75+
Fair Market Value: n/a
We have a special thank you gift... It's the new Beyond The Edge t-shirt designed by local artist (and Juke Joint Shuffle co-host) Rick Nance. As well as... a CD recording of the Murray band Quailbones live performance on BTE from February!

A Subscription to Either Newsweek Or Wine Spectator Magazine
Donation Amount: $50+
Fair Market Value: $40
This basic membership gift is available to both first time and returning contributors. 

Click here to make a pledge

The station maintains a secure web pledge site at wkms.org where contributions are welcome. The station also accepts donations by mail. Checks should be made payable to WKMS/MSU Foundation and mailed to WKMS, 2018 University Station, Murray, KY 42071. For further information, call 800-599-4737 or e-mail msu.wkms@murraystate.edu.

See information on Planned Giving

See information on Volunteering

Chad Lampe, a Poplar Bluff, Missouri native, was raised on radio. He credits his father, a broadcast engineer, for his technical knowledge, and his mother for the gift of gab. At ten years old he broke all bonds of the FCC and built his own one watt pirate radio station. His childhood afternoons were spent playing music and interviewing classmates for all his friends to hear. At fourteen he began working for the local radio stations, until he graduated high school. He earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Murray State, and a Masters Degree in Mass Communication. In November, 2011, Chad was named Station Manager in 2016.