Underwriting & Business Support

Amplify your message — reach thousands of dedicated WRFI listeners!

Reach thousands of people across the Southern Finger Lakes while supporting community radio!

Share your message with our community-minded listeners.
Sponsor homegrown radio in your own backyard.

What is underwriting?

Underwriting is business sponsorship. WRFI will acknowledge your support by playing "spots" on the air that provide info about your business or organization. Underwriting is 100% tax deductible.

How does underwriting work?

Underwriting is the non-commercial version of advertising… an announcement that describes your business or organization, what you do and the services you provide, without promotional commercial language or calls to action. We use creative language to deliver your message to the listeners in a way that is compatible with the NCE (Non-Commercial Educational) license we hold. Underwriting is one of the ways in which the local business and non-profit communities support WMPG radio and the service we provide to the region.

Becoming an Underwriter is easy! Three steps: decide your budget, your message and your target audience. WRFI staff will guide you through the rest and make sure that what we read truly represents the message you would like our listeners to hear.

Underwriting budgets can range from $50-$350/month, it all depends on how often you want your announcement to air! We will work with any marketing and outreach budget to create a custom underwriting plan that works for you.

Event Blast - Spot airs every day for two weeks leading up to your event

Once Every Day (14 spots total)
Twice Every Day (28 spots total)

Discounts for returning underwriters! 5% off your next "Event Blast" package, booked within 6 months.

Daily Commuter - Spot airs Monday-Friday - Monthly purchase

Recommended for local businesses, community organizations, local opportunities, community resources etc.

Starter Pack - 10 Spots per month
Every Weekday - 20 spots per month

Pre-pay for 6 months and you get a 10% discount! Purchase our 'Community Sustainer' annual package for a 15% discount!

Weekend Planner - Spot airs Friday, Saturday, or Sunday - Monthly purchase

Recommended for weekend shoppers, venues, and ongoing event promotions (eg. theatre programs, concert series etc.)

Weekend Planner - 8 Spots per month (Saturday & Sunday only)
Weekend Planner Plus - 12 Spots per month (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday during peak listening hours)

Pre-pay for 6 months and you get a 10% discount! Purchase our 'Community Sustainer' annual package for a 15% discount!

Custom Cut - We make a custom package just for you!

Nothing above quite sounding right? Not a problem! We can work with you to create a custom package for your unique message, timeline, or budget, just reach out! Email connect@ithacaradio.org and we'll work with you.

All monthly packages include one social media spotlight on @wrficommunityradio, listing on WRFI.org, and credit in our "Local Sponsors" section of WRFI's monthly 'Tuning In' e-newsletter.

Underwriting WRFI delivers your message to listeners in homes and cars across the area. It also shows that your business or nonprofit supports local media in the public interest.

Our staff will work with you to construct a message that maximizes your reach to listeners and complies with public radio regulations.

Recent example:
“Support for WRFI comes from listeners, and from the Cornell Concert Series ——presenting Frank Vignola, guitarist in residence at New York's Birdland Jazz Club, and classical violinist and bluegrass fiddler Tessa Lark. Friday, November 10. cornellconcertseries.com”

Hear a sample spot:

Get started today! Contact our Director to learn more.

Nonprofits, co-ops, and B corps get 25% OFF!

We can create custom packages for your unique message, timeline, and budget - just ask!

“Creating a sense of belonging is a value we share with WRFI. Finger Lakes ReUse is proud to be a partner with WRFI Community Radio in getting important information to listeners.”

- Diane Cohen, CEO,
Finger Lakes ReUse

As a grassroots organization focused on culturally celebrating central New York and beyond, GrassRoots Festival would not be possible without the support of WRFI’s incredible programming and audience.”

- Russ Friedell,
GrassRoots Festivals

Why underwrite?

REACH NEW CLIENTS

Connect with thousands of engaged listeners.

BE LOCAL

We only work with local businesses.

Get the local edge!

BUILD YOUR BRAND

Support the community building WRFI does every day.

Popular Underwriting Packages

Event Blast - Every Day for 2 weeks

Daily Commuter - Monday-Friday 7am-10pm

Weekend Planner - Friday, Saturday, or Sunday - You Choose Two!

Custom Cut - We create a package with you to fit your budget!

In-Kind Underwriting Trades

Short on cash but flush on skills? We offer custom In-Kind Underwriting packages for needed skills and services that support WRFI.

In the past this has looked like an exchange of on-air underwriting spots to have WRFI listed as an community event sponsor; underwriting in exchange for printing of new items for the WRFI Swag Shop; underwriting spots in exchange for rent of a venue for a WRFI program (ie. movie theatre, or dance party); underwriting in exchange for skilled technical support in the studio; underwriting spots in exchange for items to be included in our annual Winter Basket Fundraiser and so much more.

We are a small station, with only one full-time staff member and intimately understand the financial limitations of small budgets. If you have services to offer that you think might support our work, please reach out to us to discuss possibilities!

Contact connect@ithacaradio.org for details or call the studio at 607-319-5445 M-F to connect with our staff.

What is WRFI Community Radio?

We are WRFI, your nonprofit, independent, community radio station. Our authentic, local voices share a wide range of music, culture, local news and events. We've been on airwaves near you since 2012!

Geographic radius

Our FM signals at 88.1 and 89.7 reach 300,000 people across 2,600 square miles.

Online reach

In addition to our FM listeners, our online stream gets over 8,000 hits per month.

Loyal community

WRFI has thousands of loyal listeners and members across Tompkins, Schuyler, and Cortland counties and beyond. Our listeners appreciate fact-based news,
our local DJs, and SUPPORT LOCAL.

Contact our Director to learn more and get started today!

Gratitude to our Underwriters & Business Sponsors for Supporting Community Radio

We encourage our listeners to see what our underwriters are all about, and to support them as they support this station. Most of our underwriters are local companies selling and producing local products, and local organizations discussing and resolving local issues. Thanks to all of our underwriters, and thanks to you for checking them out.

If you engage with a local business or organization, please let them know you heard their message on WRFI.

We will appreciate it, and so will they!

Independent Local Media IS THE GIFT OF THE SEASON – WRFI Winter Fund Drive – Giving Tuesday 12/2 through 12/8

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