Protecting programming, staff, building and donations
KPFA, We Have Your Back!
This election is critical to protect KPFA’s bank accounts, building, staff, and programming. Voters, please follow the money that Pacifica takes from KPFA, and VOTE with KPFA Protectors to keep KPFA strong.
KPFA: A Beacon of Independent Media
KPFA Protectors work with KPFA’s Staff, Diverse Management Team, listeners and Pacifica board members across the country to safeguard KPFA in a variety of ways. As we face global crises—economic, political, environmental, and social justice—KPFA's role in independent media has never been more crucial. Our mission is to protect KPFA’s programming, staff and building, ensuring that your donations go towards providing KPFA with the services and resources that it needs to flourish.
Vision for the Future
KPFA Protectors envision expanding KPFA's programming footprint across multimedia platforms, reaching out to youth and diverse communities throughout our changing Northern California demographics. As board members, we support the editorial freedom of KPFA’s staff in creating innovative and urgently needed content. With your support, KPFA can continue to be a beacon of independent news aligned with its peace and social justice mission.
Challenges Ahead
KPFA faces significant threats: from Pacifica’s financial instability and organizational dysfunction, opposition to change from Pacifica stations with low listenership, and pressures to adopt commercial underwriting. KPFA Protectors are committed to addressing these pressing issues and keeping you informed.
Projects KPFA Protectors Volunteers are Helping With
Making the KPFA Building an Historical Landmark
KPFA Protectors volunteers are working towards making the KPFA building an historical landmark to protect it from being sold and converted. The building with its 4 control rooms, 5 studios, full news department, training areas, meeting and administrative spaces is a treasured media resource, paid for by KPFA donors, and impossible to replace. Pacifica’s station buildings were held as collateral on loans for debt incurred at WBAI and by Pacifica. The loans have been in default and KPFA’s building is at risk. We send a big thanks to everyone supporting the landmark project.
Protecting KPFA Finances
KPFA Finances
KPFA Local Station Board Delegates review and vote on the preliminary KPFA fiscal year budget in open session in September. The draft budget is then sent to the National Finance Committee and on to the Pacifica National Board for final approval. KPFA Protectors advocate for a fair and reasonable formula for determining how much of KPFA’s revenue will go to Pacifica and what services are provided from Pacifica. These services include completion of past due audits, insurance and HR support. Audio recordings of these meetings, available audits and financial reporting are available on Pacifica Foundation Inc. websites.
Financial Autonomy and Accountability
KPFA Protectors advocate for more financial autonomy for KPFA by ensuring that KPFA’s revenue benefits KPFA and that Pacifica’s financial obligations are met responsibly. We’re pushing for all Pacifica stations to be self-sustaining, in line with the Foundation’s bylaws. We call for an emergency reorganization effort to free the network from its high and escalating debt that threatens the future of KPFA, all Pacifica stations and the over 200 affiliates that use KPFA and Pacifica programming.
Grant Writing Initiative
We’re helping organize experienced grant writers to secure funding for KPFA, focusing on news, public affairs, music, and climate emergency programs. Our goal is to establish restricted funds that benefit KPFA directly.
KPFA’s Property Tax Exemption
The building’s property tax exemption has been restored after it was lost due to documentation inconsistencies from Pacifica Foundation Inc. name changes. KPFA Protectors thank KPFA Management for their dedicated perseverance in working through the complicated process with Pacifica and Alameda County officials, saving the station hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Protecting KPFA’s Programming
Programming Integrity
We support programming decisions based on management and staff’s in depth analysis of KPFA listener surveys, statistics, and communications, donation patterns, breaking news, personnel concerns, and the demographics of our diverse multiracial Northern California communities. We oppose attempts to control KPFA’s content through a narrow focused Program Council or dogmatic board resolutions. We stand firmly against commercial underwriting, preserving KPFA’s independence from corporate influence.
Embracing Multimedia Expansion
We support KPFA’s technical development and expansion onto new media platforms, including podcasting and social media, to reach broader audiences. KPFA’s news department, the only full multimedia newsroom in Pacifica, will continue to provide progressive coverage and analysis.
KPFA Protectors help with Outreach
KPFA Protectors volunteers are helping to update the KPFA Program Guides, available at KPFA and community events, promoting programming, special coverage, and building membership.
Governance and Representation
Reforming Pacifica’s Governance
The current governance system is dysfunctional, with unbalanced representation that harms KPFA and other self-sustaining stations. We advocate for proportional representation and direct member voting for national board members.
Manager Evaluations
We are pushing for consistent, fair evaluations of KPFA’s management, based on labor law and HR best practices, to ensure accountability.
Diverse Community Advisory Boards
We support diverse Community Advisory Boards that reflect the needs and interests of KPFA’s audience, particularly youth and communities of color.
Stay Informed and Engaged!
KPFA Protectors are committed to keeping you informed with accurate information about KPFA and Pacifica’s finances, governance, and programming. Join us in protecting KPFA’s future by electing candidates who will advocate for transparency, accountability, and financial sustainability.