We just raised the most fundrive money ever!
As of 10/22 we have met the $25,000 big, big goal! This is the most we have ever raised in one fundrive, in the history of the station (52 years!). You all came together to continue to fund the programming you count on and to keep radio accessible to all. Thank you so much!
Wow! That was one heck of a Fall Fundrive. Thank you to every single one of you who gave.
As of 10/22, we met our $25,000 big, big goal! That is the most we have ever raised in one fundrive, in the history of the station (52 years!). You all came together to continue to fund the programming you count on and to keep radio accessible to all. Thank you so much!
We also crushed all our other goals!
📻 21 new monthly, sustaining donors (most ever in a drive!). These folks have come together to add another $2,500 to our annual support. This means $15K of our total budget is supported by sustainers. Wow!
📻 41 returning donors, who haven't given in a few years - a record!
📻 57 donors who stream us live at WGDR.org - so close to a record!
📻 66 new donors - a record!
📻 Over 250 donors total
Community radio matters more than ever. Thank you for investing in us as we give it right back to you everyday on the airwaves!
Each Fundrive we give out a Fundrive MVP (Most Valuable Programmer) Award to thank the person(s) who stepped up in extra fun and drivin' ways. Congrats to our Fundrive MVPs, Alan LePage and Steven Farnham for crushing not one, but two matches during their three shows. These guys gave you 9 hours of Curse of the Golden Turnip and motivated $8K in total impact/giving during the drive. Their names are now sharpeed on the cowbell alongside our other MVPs - our highest honor. Thanks, Alan & Steven!
Central Vermont Community Radio continues to be 75% funded by individuals like you. This is why our fundrives - twice a year - are so critical to funding the station.
The addition of all our new sustainer will now help fund over $14K in expenses each year. A small monthly gift by these folks, adds up in a big way for the station.
Once again thank you to all our matching donors during this drive. This made a huge difference! Thanks to our many generous anonymous major donors, to Larry Kressley and George Kimmerling, our CVCR Board of Directors, and our underwriters East Hill Tree Farm, Galaxy Books, and VT Arts Council!
We are back to normal programming this week! Phew!
You didn't miss your chance to give either. We're still accepting donations to the station for the rest of the year. All our funds help us make budget adjustments across the year in other areas that are far less reliable than our listeners! Thank you for making us part of how you support your community.
As always, thanks for listening and for supporting WGDR & WGDH!
Llu Mulvaney-Stanak
Executive Director, Central Vermont Community Radio
p.s. Thank you to everyone who sent in fan mail to the station and left such great comments on the drive site. This powers the programmers for months to come, knowing there is such support out there for what they work so hard to do each week on the air.
WGDR Tower Fund Launched
In 2026 we will replace our 30-year-old WGDR antenna and move it to a new, higher location in Plainfield.
This is a once in a station lifetime moment, where we will go from just 88 square miles reached by our radio signal, to over 700 square miles.
It will cost us around $150K to fund the cost of of the WGDR Tower project. This includes the cost of the new antenna, installation and upfit at the new tower, and cover the new operational costs for the first three years (giving us time to adjust our budget to take on these new costs). Learn more about this project and how you can help make a significant impact on our success.
In 2026 we will replace our 30-year-old WGDR antenna and move it to a new, higher location in Plainfield.
This is a once in a station lifetime moment, where we will go from just 88 square miles reached by our radio signal, to over 700 square miles. The map below, in blue, shows our current tower reach. The yellow is the projected new reach. We are taking the tower from the valley to a mountaintop, and it will make a huge difference!
It will cost us around $150K to fund the cost of of the WGDR Tower project. This includes the cost of the new antenna, installation and upfit at the new tower, and cover the new operational costs for the first three years (giving us time to adjust our budget to take on these new costs).
We have raised a total of $91K (as of 10/9) toward a goal of $150K!
We have $25K secured to buy and raise the antenna from the state of Vermont.
As of October 9, we have raised an additional $66,000 from generous major donors. We are seeking investors and support from foundations we to help cover the combined costs of this new antenna, the install, and the increased costs we will incur while we build our new listener-donor base. Gifts of $5K or more, made annually, for three years, will help us make this a reality. But, we welcome gifts of any amount too!
If you are eager to support the future of community radio in Vermont with a legacy or significant gift toward the WGDR Tower Fund, please contact Llu Mulvaney-Stanak, our Executive Director at Llu@WGDR.org. Or make a gift by clicking the donate button below.
New Show Application Window
Our fall new show application window is open now until the end of October. We are prioritizing shows that can help us build up our local news coverage, tell the stories of our community, provide listener interaction with call-in shows, and/or that captures the lives and experiences of our diverse community members. We are still accepting locally curated music shows, but they need to expand upon the music shows you currently already hear on the air. Please listen to what the station already sounds like and consider this as you apply! What could you add to the mix? Apply today!
New Show Application update as of September, 2025.
We are proud to have nearly 70 local shows on the airwaves. This means spots of new locally made programs are limited! We still welcome anyone to apply and pitch us a show. Landing a show still requires it to be a fit with our programming needs and values, and, now, if we can find a slot that works for you and the station.
All new shows are vetted by our Programming Committee. Going into the fall and 2026, we are prioritizing shows that can help us build up our local news coverage, tell the stories of our community, provide listener interaction with call-in shows, and/or that captures the lives and experiences of our diverse community members. We are still accepting locally curated music shows, but they need to expand upon the music shows you currently already hear on the air. Please listen to what the station already sounds like and consider this as you apply! What could you add to the mix?
We also have a running wait list, for local shows that are accept, but a schedule slot doesn’t fit, yet. These folks are also encouraged to join us as show subs or be involved in the station in other ways. Getting involved, beyond a show, is a great way to move you "up the waiting" list when a slot that works for you opens up.
For fall, 2025 applications here is the timeline:
Open apps September & October.
Programming Committee Review in November
New Programmer Training December & January
Call for CVCR Board Applicants
The CVCR Board is recruiting new members by the end of the year. The board is charged with setting strategy, ensuring our mission has the resources it needs to succeed, and providing overall leadership to the organization. In our next round of new board members, we are seeking folks with fundraising experience (or a willingness to learn!), board leadership skills, and past work with organizations undergoing big change (like a move!). We’re eager to also expand the board to more fully represent our diverse community of central and northern Vermont, especially folks from our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ circles, as well as folks to expand our gender representation beyond the binary and age ranges (under 50).
For more information contact Board@WGDR.org or to submit an application soon.
Thank you for your interest in serving on the Central Vermont Community Radio Board of Directors.
The board is made up of 8-10 members of the CVCR community and are charged with setting strategy, ensuring our mission has the resources it needs to succeed, and providing overall leadership to the organization. In our next round of new board members, we are seeking folks with fundraising experience (or a willingness to learn!), board leadership skills, and past work with organizations undergoing big change (like a move!). We’re eager to also expand the board to more fully represent our diverse community of central and northern Vermont, especially folks from our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ circles, as well as folks to expand our gender representation beyond the binary and age ranges (under 50).
The work of the CVCR board is centered around ensuring the right-sized capacity of the organization is in place in time, money, and expertise. We look to the board to be both strategy leaders, but also “doers.”
Members are expected to attend monthly board meetings (all on zoom still), participate on board committees (also on zoom), make personal financial contributions (if able), and participate in the organization’s fundraising campaigns (major donor cultivation, etc.).
We ask that interested folks submit an application soon for this next round of board seats.
All applications will be reviewed by the full board and qualified prospective candidates will be contacted to schedule an interview.
CVCR serves the communities of north central VT and beyond by providing a forum for cultivating social change, supporting the independent arts, protecting the environment, and celebrating diversity, creativity, and freedom. More information about CVCR and its mission is on our website under About Us.
For more information, contact CVCR's Executive Director, Llu@WGDR.org
Please address the following questions: Board@WGDR.org.
Get A Free CVCR Travel Mug
New for the Fall Fundrive, any new monthly sustaining donor will get our new travel mug as our thanks for giving. Plus, your new gift will be doubled by the CVCR Board for the drive. It’s a win/win/win! Give today!
New for the Fall Fundrive, any new monthly sustaining donor will get our new travel mug as our thanks for giving. Plus, your new gift will be doubled by the CVCR Board for the drive. It’s a win/win/win!
How to set up a monthly gift to CVCR:
Online: Go to WGDR.org, click donate, choose monthly donation, enter your amount and info. Consider covering processing fees, but skip the tip!
Via check: Ask your bank to send a check monthly (many do this for free), made out to CVCR, 123 Pitkin Road, Plainfield, VT 05667 or send it yourself!
From your IRA: Ask your financial advisor to set up a monthly check (like a bank) and send to the info above.
Sustaining donors are the game changes for the programming costs of the station. We can count on you, just like you count on us! Thank you for being one of the 25 new sustainers we’re welcoming to the donor team by October 12!
Thanks to local artist Diana Clark for this great sticker design!
Fall Fundrive September 26-October 12
Two weeks of extra great local programming is coming up, with special guests, live music, and surprises - it's our Fall FUNdrive, September 26-October 12!
With your support, we will raise the most ever—$25K in just 15 days! If you have yet to give to the station this year, this is a really fun way to do it. Learn more and how to give here.
Two weeks (and a couple of extra days) of extra great programming is coming up starting Friday, September 26 running through Sunday, October 12! We’ll have special guests, extended shows, live music, and surprises!
With your support, we will raise $25K in a little over two weeks!
Fundrive donor perks!
A gift of $52 or more gets you a limited edition WGDR/WGDH sticker. Show it off!
A gift of $250 or more will snag you anything of your choice from our swag shop!
All donors who give during our two-week drive will be entered to win tickets to upcoming concerts or a Bread and Puppet banner.
Cowbell Ringing Fundrive Goals:
Raise $25,000 (or more!) to keep the great programming you love and rely on going.
Meet our Matches! Across the fundrive we will have $8,000 in special "match" days. On a match day, if you give $25, it becomes $50. Thanks to our many generous anonymous major donors, our CVCR Board of Directors, and our underwriters East Hill Tree Farm, Galaxy Books, and VT Arts Council! Tune in for the match days on:
9/26-9/28: Kick Off Weekend Match. Up to $1,700 will be matched from our underwriters! Thanks to Galaxy Books, East Hill Tree Farm, and the VT Arts Council.
New Donor & New Sustainer Match. Up to $1,450 will be matched from our fabulous CVCR board for any new donor or new sustainer until we run out of the match!
Sundays, Curse of the Golden Turnip Show Match from 7-10am. Up to $2,500 from our generous major donors. Please note, other matches don’t apply during this show, we can’t double match!
10/10-10/12: Last Weekend Match. Up to $2,500 from a major donor gift from Larry Kressley & George Kimmerling.
Show Goals! Tune in for our programmers will be setting their own show goals to encourage listeners to give during their show. Help make their day (and ring that cowbell!) by giving during the shows you love. A dozen of our local shows are doing special show pages to raise $200 each. Check those out on the Give Butter site if you want to make your gift count toward their goals. Please note, we are trying this out, not all shows are doing this!
25 new sustaining donors. Think of it as one of your many streaming services. What monthly value do we provide to your listening needs? $10/mo? $15/mo? $25/mo?
50 streamer donors. We see you, streamers! Thank you for listening from near and far online.
50 new donors. We love first-time donors! You build our capacity across our listening area.
50 returning donors. Not given to the station yet this year? This is for you! Not given in a few years, this is for you too! We miss you and appreciate your support.
There are lots of fun goals to hit (and ring that cowbell) that you can be part of helping us reach. If you have yet to give to the station this year, this is a really fun way to do it. Learn more and how to give here.
Make a gift today!
Give securely by either:
When you give or pledge a check online you can leave us a message about your favorite shows or why you love WGDR & WGDH. This is what you hear programmers read on the air as part of our gratitude for you all!
Give online by credit card, PayPal, Venmo, or other digital wallet options. Click the box on the upper right donate button. Pick an amount or enter your own. Look for the tab at the top for "one-time" or "monthly." For digital gifts, when you complete the donation, you will be asked if you want to cover the credit card processing fee or us (optional!) and a tip (to GiveButter, the platform), that tip is optional and does NOT come to us. Click the drop-down box for that and choose "$0." to skip this tip!
Give by check, you can pledge on this online platform (so we know it is coming). Choose "check" and enter your information. Then, send that check made out to “CVCR” and mail it to WGDR/WGDH, 123 Pitkin Road Plainfield, VT 05667. Thank you!
Text to donate: WGDRDONATE. A link will pop up and you can give securely.
After you donate, your donation will show up in the community donor scroll at the side of this page. Thank you so very much.
CVCR Contest Rules
Anyone who donated online or by check dated during our Fall Fundrive, September 26-October 12, will be entered to win one of the incentive prizes donated from local businesses and organizations. You must donate during the fundrive dates to be eligible to win. Per station policy, no paid staff, programmers, volunteers, board, or contractors are eligible to win.
Any questions can be sent to our Executive Director, Llu Mulvaney-Stanak at Llu@WGDR.org or at (802) 276-0365.
Thank you for supporting WGDR/WGDH!
Central Vermont Community Radio (CVCR) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations are tax-deductible under state and federal law.