When 2020 began, all of us at CHIRP Radio were excited to celebrate 10 years as a streaming station. We were planning events to commemorate the anniversary. We were also anticipating our best Record Fair yet, along with other improvements and many more new volunteers and DJs and such. So much for those plans. 

Starting in March, we had to figure out a way to deal with a pandemic-induced lockdown. How could we keep doing shows live? How could we keep everyone safe? How could we keep getting new music in our library when we couldn’t have our music staff gather at the station? And so on.
Well, we figured some things out. Thankfully, our general manager is a neat freak, so we also had a ton of cleaning/sanitizing supplies on hand. Everything is frequently wiped down. We instituted a protocol to make sure that other than when DJs were coming and going, only one person was in the station at a time. And our music staff came up with remote solutions that have turned out to improve things for DJs.

For a time, CHIRP was one of the few Chicago radio stations running live in the studio during the pandemic. And that’s when we really learned how we impacted our listeners. Folks really appreciated the effort we were putting on, and the personal touch of a radio station programmed by its volunteers, not algorithms or consultants. It has really strengthened our bond with our audience.

So that’s been great. The downside is that our spring fundraising drive was scuttled (although I was still able to raise $1000!), and neither our annual record fair nor our Pitchfork record fair happened, and those are our two biggest fundraisers. We’ve managed, but we definitely need to get some more money in the coffers.

We recognize that some folks can’t provide support, due to what’s happened for the past six or so months (and heading into the future). But we hope for those who can give, that they can consider giving to CHIRP, to help us pay the rent, pay streaming and broadcast fees, pay for equipment, and, of course, cleaning supplies.

We are hoping to raise $25,000 (our original goal was $12,000!) during the drive, which starts on September 9, with the drive going on air September 17-23. That’s about half our usual goal. However, my personal goal is higher than usual. I’m trying to raise more than 10% of that amount – $2700 (originally $1200). And to demonstrate how serious I am about that (and about CHIRP), I have matched the first $700 in donations to my fundraising page. 

So please consider a donation to CHIRP in my name, in any amount. If you donate $10, I'll dedicate a cool cover to you on one of my shows. Donate $30 or more, and I'll send you a musical surprise (and play one of those covers for you).

[BELOW: Our generic fundraising message for this campaign]

We've been here for you throughout this challenging year - now, we need you to be here for us!

This wasn't how we anticipated spending our tenth anniversary year. Instead of parties and open studio events, we've spent the last six months, one DJ at a time in a carefully disinfected studio, keeping you connected while we all worked to stay safe. We've worked hard to amplify the voices of local artists who can't play live and local venues who were first to close, and to help you feel less alone at a time when it's easy to feel distant from your community.

But we've been hanging in there, and we hope you have too. We're still here every single day, live and local, commercial-free, with great music brought to you by true music fans. If you believe in this work, and if you're able, we hope you'll support the station with a gift today.

If you would like to become a sustaining member by making a recurring donation (monthly or quarterly), or if you want to select a thank you gift, please visit CHIRP's main donation page to make your contribution (and don’t forget to enter the name of the CHIRP Volunteer or DJ in the “How did you hear about CHIRP” section so they can receive credit for your gift).