Grant Support for WRFI Community Radio

WRFI began as an all-volunteer operation. We received our FCC license for 88.1 FM in 2012, and have been dedicated to being a haven for local voices, independent news, and music you might not find anywhere else. We have received significant operating support since 2012 from The Park Foundation, and have pursued some of our most innovative programming through grant funds with a number of funding partners.

Explore some of those successes, and even re-listen to our past Feature Series and Limited Run Specials.

If you are interested in connecting with our Director about grant funded opportunities please call 607-319-5445 or email gm@ithacaradio.org.

Support for Specials, Limited Series, and Features

2025 - Neighborhood Mini Grant - Sustainable Finger Lakes
- WRFI received a Neighborhood Mini-grant to run a six month series of on-air announcements connecting listeners with resources and community organizations to reduce their carbon footprint, and commit to sustainability.
2024 - 'Expanding Local News Reporting Capacity with WRFI and the Cornell Daily Sun' - Engaged Opportunity Grant - Einhorn Center for Community Engagement
- The goal of this project was to build a collaborative working relationship with the Cornell Sun and other Cornell partners (particularly the residents of the Alice Cook House) to build on the news reporting capacity at WRFI. 22 students were involved in producing the FLX News Exchange from 2024-spring 2025.
2024 - The Undiscovered Country Limited Series - Humanities New York
- "The Undiscovered Country" is a partnership between WRFI, show host Michael Rhynes, Prisoner Express, the Cornell Prison Education Program and Civic Ensemble's Re-Entry Theatre project and supported by a grant from Humanities New York. The Undiscovered Country series explores the role of poetry and literature in the lives of people affected by the carceral state.
October 2021 - August 2022 - 'Grassroots Transnational Networks Fortifying Salvadoran Rural Communities: From Santa Marta to Ithaca' - Community Engagement Grant - Cornell Migrations Initiative
- Funds received supported a collaboration with Dr. Sofia Villenas and Moviemientos de Mujeres to train and support area immigrant and migrant media makers to investigate and document their experiences in the Finger Lakes and in El Salvador.

Operational Support for WRFI Community Radio

2024-2025 - The Park Foundation
- Funds received over two years to provide general operating support.
2024 - 'Expanding Access to Community Radio' - Community Foundation of Tompkins County
- Funds received to support efforts to recruit and train new show hosts, station volunteers, and to improve the diversity of programming and on-air DJ voices. Number of local show hosts increased from 47 in 2023 to over 70 through the support of the outreach and training initiatives supported by this grant.
2022 - 2023 - The Park Foundation
- Funds received over two years to provide general operating support. New transmitter facility built to broadcast 89.7FM, greatly increasing the range and listenership of WRFI radio. Hired two staff members to focus on local news operations.
2020 - 2021 - The Park Foundation
- Funds received over two years to provide general operating support. As part of this support WRFI was able to acquire 501(c)(3) status, install major equipment upgrades to both studios in the Clinton House, and relocate our transmitter with FCC approval to improve the range and continuity of the broadcast signal.
2019 - The Park Foundation
- General operating support enabled the station in increase staff hours, and pursue the finalization of 501(c)(3) status.
2019 - Community Capital Assistance Program - New York State
- Funds received supported major upgrades to aging equipment in the Clinton House studio. Including two new broadcast consoles, and creation of Studio B in the Clinton House.
2016 - The Park Foundation
- WRFI was able to hire Felix Teitelbaum as the first paid staff member for the station, beginning at 20 hours per weeks as General Manager. WRFI.org was launched which encouraged a 60% growth in online listeners.
January 2013- March 2015 - The Park Foundation
- Significant funds received were dedicated to general operation support made possible construction and improvement to Studio A. Near tripling of our hours of live local programming, increasing from 29 hours a week, to 80 hours weekly in 2013, and the training of 90 on-air hosts, increasing locally hosted shows from 10 per week to 48 per week. In addition the installment of our transmitter to a new site at Eco-Village, and the installation and construction of a tower and a transmitter shed.

There are many ways to support YOUR community radio station! We are sustained by YOU our listeners. Become a member and keep independent radio on-air!

Become a Sustaining Member

Amplify Your Message with Business Sponsorship

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

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.

LEARN MORE

Get Cool WRFI Stuff

Donate Your Car, Truck, Boat, or Motorcycle!

Include WRFI in Your Estate Plans

Volunteer at the Station