WPR Membership Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for your interest in supporting WPR! Here are answers to frequently asked questions about WPR membership. If you don't find what you're looking for, please call Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or send an email to membership@wpr.org. Our staff is happy to help!
Membership Basics
Mail and Publications
Thank-You Gifts
General
Other Support FAQ
How do I become a member of Wisconsin Public Radio?
A donation of any amount makes you a member of the Wisconsin Public Radio Association (WPRA). The WPRA is the fundraising organization of Wisconsin Public Radio and by donating in support of the programs you listen to on WPR, you're becoming a part of that member organization.
There are nearly 50,000 members of Wisconsin Public Radio and 23% of them are sustainers.
What are the various ways I can donate to Wisconsin Public Radio?
When will my membership be due for renewal?
If you are a sustaining member who donates through automatic, monthly contributions, your membership will remain active for as long as you're a sustainer.
If you renew your membership each year, your membership expiration date (and time to renew) is usually about one year from your last renewal contribution. We'll send you renewal notices starting a few months before that time. The sooner you renew, the more money WPR saves in mailing costs and the further your renewal gift goes to support programming. Your renewal month generally stays the same from one year to the next, unless you ask us to change it.
If you have any questions, please contact Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or membership@wpr.org.
What is the recommended contribution for a basic membership?
At WPR we’re about inclusion, not exclusion, so your gift of any amount makes you a member! Some people find it best to break it down by day...is WPR worth $.30 a day to you? Then contribute $10 a month. Is it worth a dollar a day? Then contribute $30 a month.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Yes, your gift to WPR is fully tax-deductible to the extent allowable by the I.R.S., minus the fair market value of any thank-you gifts requested. We'll send you a thank-you letter for your contribution that can be saved for tax purposes. The Wisconsin Public Radio Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: # 23-7363536.
Why did I receive a call from someone with WPR asking me for a donation?
Occasionally WPR uses a telemarketing firm to make calls on our behalf, usually to members whose memberships have lapsed. This is one more way, in addition to mailings and on-air campaigns, to make sure that WPR has the funding it needs. If you don't wish to be solicited by phone, let us know by contacting Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or membership@wpr.org.
Why did I receive a renewal notice or pledge reminder when I already sent my contribution?
Sometimes your payment crosses paths with our mailings. If you sent us a donation in the last few weeks, please disregard the extra reminder and accept our apologies.
We do have several campaigns each year to bring in gifts that support WPR in addition to a member’s annual renewal, so it's also possible that your contribution was coded as an additional gift. To make sure your donation is documented as you wish (renewal versus additional gift), or to reduce your mailings from WPR, please contact Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or membership@wpr.org.
How can I change or update my credit/debit card or bank account information for my monthly, sustaining pledge?
Please fill out our sustainer adjustment form or give Membership Services a call at 800-383-9772 and we'll enter the new information into our secure database. Please don't email your credit/debit card number or bank account information to us.
Will WPR sell or share my mailing address, phone number or email address?
WPR does not sell or exchange your personal information with anyone.
Could you please send me less mail?
Yes! We generally send renewal notices, sweepstakes entries and end-of-year mailings. Please contact Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or membership@wpr.org and let us know how you'd like us to adjust your mailings.
How can I change my mailing address, phone number or email address with WPR?
Please contact Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or membership@wpr.org with both your new AND old information.
How do I get off your mailing list?
Please contact Membership Services at 800-383-9772 or membership@wpr.org and ask to have all mailings stopped or to cancel your membership.
When will my thank-you gift arrive?
If you requested a thank-you gift when you made a pledge during an on-air membership drive, it should arrive 4 to 6 weeks after the end of the pledge drive. We need that time to order, receive, and send out the gifts. We understand that 4 to 6 weeks is a long time to wait for your item and we truly appreciate your patience!
If you requested a gift during any other time of the year, we generally have those items in stock and they should ship a week or two after we have processed your donation.
Help! My thank-you gift arrived damaged, or I received the wrong thank-you gift!
Please give us a call at 800-383-9772 or email Susannah Michaels (michaels@wpr.org) on our membership team. We'll do our best to fix the problem, and thanks in advance for understanding.
Can I get thank-you gifts from past membership drives?
It is sometimes possible to receive thank-you gifts from previous pledge drives, depending on what we have left over. Please call Membership Services at 1-800-383-9772 to find out if a particular item is available and at what donation amount.
What are the tax implications to me if I take a thank-you gift?
Your donation to WPR is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the I.R.S., minus the "fair market value" of any thank-you gifts you request. We will send you an acknowledgement letter, stating the fair market value of any thank-you gifts.
Does all of my donation support WPR if I receive a thank-you gift?
Thanks for asking! Although WPR does receive some donated items to use as thank-you gifts, we do have to pay for most items as well as packaging and shipping. We generally get discounts on all the items we purchase, so about 90% of your gift supports WPR programming.
How can I contact WPR about my membership?
You can call us at 800-383-9772, send an email to membership@wpr.org, or send us a letter to: WPR Membership Services, 821 University Ave., Madison, WI 53706. We're generally available weekdays, between the hours of 8 am and 4:30 pm
How can I contact WPR about programming or with other questions?
You can call our Audience Services Department at 1-800-747-7444, or email listener@wpr.org. Their office hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Can I give a membership to someone else?
You can make a gift membership for someone else by calling 800-383-9772 or by visiting our gift donation page. You make the contribution in your name and let us know who the gift is for, their address and if it’s for any special occasion. We will send your gift recipient a letter to notify him or her of your gift.
How can I make a donation in memory of someone?
We are very sorry for your loss, and we are honored that you would consider donating to WPR in memory of this special person. Please visit our donation page and include a note in the comments section indicating the person’s name and if there is anyone we should contact to notify them of your memorial donation.
How can I include WPR in my will or estate plan?
Please visit our planned giving page, or call Connie Beam at 608-224-9722.
How can I find the other WPR stations around the state?
Please view our station maps for more information.
How can I get a program schedule?
To find out what’s airing on the WPR station near you, please visit our station maps and click on your station.
