Public Radio KMST received $63,500 in membership investments during the station’s spring membership drive, which concluded on April 17. While KMST did not reach its $72,000 goal, staff of the station consider it a success.

Pledges are still accepted by calling 573-341-4386 in Rolla, toll-free at 888-776-5678 or online at kmst.org.

According to KMST Station Manager John Francis, the membership drive model of using promotional announcements starting three weeks ahead of the live portion and urging listeners to pledge online, through the mail or by phone prior to the live portion of the drive is gaining more support.

“Most of the members I speak with are excited about the prospects of more program time and less fundraising time during our membership drive periods,” says Francis. “We look forward to growing this fundraising model for years to come.”

KMST had 69 new members join during the drive and Francis believes the station’s $72,000 goal is in sight.

“Thanks to the success of our fundraising efforts, and the loyalty of our listeners nationwide, we will continue to see membership funding come in over the next several weeks, and I’m comfortable that we’ll reach our $72,000 goal,” he says.

As part of its mission to support other community projects, KMST and Phelps County Bank partnered to raise $2420 for “Take A Stand Against Child Abuse.” For each membership pledge KMST received during the drive, Phelps County Bank pledged $20 toward the “Take A Stand” program. KMST’s past joint fundraising drives includes partnerships with the Rolla Animal Shelter and the Tri-County Humane Society, the Friday Backpack Program, the Smile Mobile, Wounded Warriors, Fill-A-Ford for the Holidays and others.

In addition to financial support, KMST gained valuable information from members about programming preferences and received several business inquiries about underwriting. This information is reviewed and programming decisions are based on the findings. Follow-up calls will be made to prospective underwriters.

KMST held several business-sponsored drawings this spring. Christine Smith and George Fuson of St. Louis won a $50 gift certificate to Sybill’s Saint James and a $50 gift certificate to Leach Theatre. Kelvin and Francilda Erickson of Rolla won a canvas photograph titled “Sunrise on the Farm,” by Joel Goodridge and Jesse Singleton. Mark and Erika Boyle of St. James, Missouri, won a Kindle Fire sponsored by Avalon Photography Studio. Kathryn and Cameron White of Newburg, Missouri, won a family membership to Vessell’s Fitness Complex. Richie and Luce Myers of Rolla won a Bose Wave Radio, sponsored by Public House Brewing Co. and St. James Winery. Don and Ginger Priest of Rolla won an Apple iPad Mini, sponsored by the S&T Store. Max and Susan Trueblood of Rolla won an Apple Watch sponsored by Public House Brewing Co. and St. James Winery.

A drawing was also held for a member-donated item. John Jacobs of Waynesville, Missouri, won a limited edition numbered print donated by local artist Dan Woodward.

KMST is a 100,000-watt non-commercial public radio station licensed to the Curators of the University of Missouri System. The station’s funding comes from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Missouri University of Science and Technology, the Missouri Arts Council, membership investments and underwriting.

KMST offers a mixed format of news from NPR, nationally and locally produced talk shows, and a wide range of music, including classical, jazz, acoustic folk, blues, big band, Celtic, bluegrass and Caribbean. KMST is located at 88.5 FM in and around the Rolla area, 96.3 FM in Lebanon, and is live-streamed online at www.kmst.org. Listeners can also follow the station on Facebook.