Why do WFIU and WTIU need to raise money?
WFIU Public Radio and WTIU PBS are public broadcasting stations licensed to Indiana University. A broad base of support comes from Indiana University, area businesses and the government. But individual members provide a critical source of funding every year. These funds help pay for programs, broadcast equipment, staff and operating expenses.
Do WFIU and WTIU receive tax money? If so, why is it so important that I donate money to become a member?
Neither WFIU or WTIU receive money from your taxes. When public broadcasting began operations the federal government created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). The CPB receives appropriations from the federal government marked to support local television stations, programming and improvements to the public broadcasting system as a whole. WFIU and WTIU apply for funds to this organization every year and adhere to the guidelines established by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in order to continue to receive their support and continue affiliation with NPR and PBS. Distribution from CPB is determined by market size.
How do I decide how much to contribute?
The amount you contribute is entirely up to you. With an annual contribution of $40 or more to WFIU or WTIU, you will receive a full year’s subscription to that station’s our monthly program guide. The MemberCard, which provides valuable discounts at participating restaurants, museums, wineries, arts and cultural attractions, and lodging venues, is available with a gift of $75 or more. Contributions at higher levels often qualify for special thank-you gifts.
If I give to WFIU Public Radio, does it also make me a member of WTIU Public Television?
Many of our WFIU members also support WTIU, but they do so with separate contributions. Each station has its own budget and pays for programming separately. Both stations are licensed to Indiana University.
Why am I getting a renewal or reminder notice after I paid my pledge?
The most likely answer is that your payment and our notice just crossed in the mail. If you believe your account is in error, please contact the Membership Department at 812-855-6114 to verify that we received your contribution and have posted it to the correct membership account.
Where can I use my MemberCard for discounts?
There are a variety of restaurants, museums, arts and cultural attractions, wineries, lodging venues and online merchants that accept the WFIU MemberCard. To view the list of benefits, visit MemberCard.com.
How can I get help accessing my WTIU PBS Passport account?
WTIU PBS Passport is a member benefit available to those giving at least $5 monthly or $60 annually to WTIU. When you make your donation, you’ll receive instructions on how to activate your account. If you currently have a WTIU membership, you can check to see if you're an eligible member here or activate your account here.
If you need help logging into your account on your streaming device, troubleshooting your account, or anything else, you can visit the PBS Passport Help page. For phone support, please contact PBS at 844-532-9848, M-F 10am-11pm EST.
Your WTIU Membership Department is also happy to help at 812-855-6114.
What if I'm missing my program guide or thank-you gift?
Your program guide and MemberCard will arrive to you within a few weeks of your contribution. If you don’t receive one of the monthly program guides at any point throughout the year, give us a call at 812-855-6114. We’ll confirm your address and account are up to date and send you a new copy.
Thank-you gift delivery takes about four to six weeks. If your gift is taking longer, we will try to notify you with updates. If you discover your gift is wrong or damaged upon receipt, we will gladly replace it or offer an alternative in most cases*. Tickets to events are mailed separately from thank-you letters and are usually mailed closer to the event date. If you have any questions about your gift or tickets, call us at 812-855-6114.
* Tickets are nonexchangeable, and we do not give refunds for ticketed events if the event is occurring at the scheduled date and time. Wheelchair accessible seat requirements should be requested at the time of pledge due to limited availability.
Why are the thank-you gifts WFIU offers during pledge drives so expensive?
As public media stations, WFIU and WTIU rely on community support for a large amount of our funding. The CDs, books, tickets, or other items we offer during our on-air fundraising campaigns are intended as a “thank-you” gift for supporting the station with a contribution, not as a retail transaction. To encourage listeners and viewers to become members of the station, we suggest various pledge levels and offer the individual items or packages as special perks for contributing at that level.
Can I make a donation in memory of someone else or gift a membership to a friend?
You can make a fully tax-deductible memorial or tribute gift and we’ll send a personal note to the person of your choosing. You can also gift someone a WFIU or WTIU year-long membership and all its benefits. For help with either, please call the Membership Department at 812-855-6114.
Is my contribution tax-deductible?
Yes, but under current tax laws in the United States, only the amount of your contribution that exceeds the amount of any goods provided to you is tax-deductible as a charitable contribution. So if you requested a thank-you gift such as a CD, book, tote bag, or any other item, the fair-market value of that item is not tax-deductible. The tax receipt you receive from the IU Foundation will detail your contribution, the fair market value of your selected gift, and the resulting deductible amount. Visit our Tax Benefits page for more details on potential tax benefits.
Do WFIU and WTIU exchange or sell my contact information?
No. We may, however, purchase mailing lists from other sources in a continuing effort to bring in new members. Sometimes duplications do slip through, so please forgive us if this happens to you, and disregard any further duplication notices.
How can I include WFIU or WTIU in my will or give a gift of stock?
There are many ways to give to WFIU and WTIU outside of your annual contribution. Visit our Gift Planning Options page for more details and a contact to answer more of your questions.
How do I find out if my company has a matching gift program?
Contact your Human Resources office. Many employers share your commitment to public media and will show it by doubling your pledge of support. Visit the IU Matching Gifts page to search for your employer and begin the match.
If you do not find the answer to your question here, please contact us:
WFIU/WTIU Membership
1229 E. 7th Street
Bloomington, IN 47405-5501
812-855-6114 or 800-662-3311
For your security, please do not email any financial account numbers.