WEKU, based at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), launched the 1850 Campaign in March 2025 as an effort to generate 1,850 new supporters donating at least $10 per month.
WEKU Executive Director Mike Savage says the 1850 Campaign was developed to increase new station donors to specifically cover the loss of federal funds.
“WEKU donors have always been generous to the station, making up the largest portion of our $1.6 million annual budget,” said Savage. “But we didn’t want to ask our existing donors for more money to solve this funding gap. Instead, we chose to appeal to listeners who were not donors to the station to join us and give at least $10 to the station every month. We made the appeal for new support over the air, and listeners responded.”
Over a 16-month period, the long-term campaign increased WEKU’s donor base by 40% to roughly 4,000 donors. Savage says most donors were new supporters giving monthly to the station. Those donations every month, Savage says, have stabilized the station’s finances. Existing donors also increased their support for WEKU, further bolstering the station’s finances.
EKU President David McFaddin says he is proud of WEKU and its public service to Central and Eastern Kentucky communities. “WEKU ensures Kentuckians have access to quality news and public radio programming. We are grateful for the staff’s unwavering efforts in fundraising and the donors who support the station’s excellent operations.”
The station operates 10 transmitters serving much of Central and Eastern Kentucky with a format of news and information. The station also operates a Classical stream on weku.org and the WEKU mobile App. In Richmond and Lexington, WEKU can be heard at 88.9 FM. More information on WEKU is at www.weku.org.
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