[NFCB] How can local NPR station do this? [Meals on Wheels]

[Ginny Z. Berson]

The FCC regulation says that you cannot interrupt your regular
programming to raise funds for another nonprofit.  So, for example,
after Katrina, we had to get a waiver from the FCC so that you all could
raise funds for WWOZ and other stations.  Without speaking to a lawyer,
I would guess that KUHF can argue that they are not interrupting their
regular programming; they are giving their listeners a choice about a
premium or a donation to Meals on Wheels. I would further guess that if
the mentions are short and relatively infrequent, they would point to
that as further evidence that they are not interrupting regular
programming.  

Ginny Z. Berson
Vice President and Director of Federation Services
National Federation of Community Broadcasters (NFCB)
510 451-8200 ext. 305
1970 Broadway, Suite 1000
Oakland, CA 94612
www.nfcb.org



-----Original Message-----
From: nfcb-bounces at mailman.lmi.net [mailto:nfcb-bounces at mailman.lmi.net]
On Behalf Of Wendy Schroell
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:16 AM
To: nfcb
Subject: [NFCB] How can local NPR station do this? [Meals on Wheels]

The fund drive at KUHF Houston ended today - one minute before 9am it 
was $5000 away from the $800,000 goal (just at 7pm the day before it was

$100,000 away and they don't seem to pitch much at night) - at 9am it 
was suddenly at $811k, then one or two minutes later they were at 
$833,000.  Yay for them, but how?

None of that is the reason I write, although I would love to know more 
about the stuff that is lined up ahead of time.

I am asking about this:  "If you pledge to the station and decline the 
thank you gift, we will send those funds to Meals on Wheels"  "your XXX 
dollars that you decline in thank you gifts can buy XXX number of meals 
for needy people"

I understood it to be against FCC law to solicit funds for other 
entities on the air of our non-profits.  Can anyone tell me how it's OK 
in this case?

wendy


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