The Joy, Adventure, Challenge & Reward of KWMR by Board President Nancy Vayhinger
One of our most committed and enthusiastic listeners and volunteers, Board President Nancy Vayhinger reflects on what it takes to run an independent, people-powered community radio station in uncertain times.
The Joy
Walk into KWMR at any given time and you will find JOY!
100 programmers are busily creating radio shows that reflect their heart and soul. Tune into KWMR for one whole day and you will be delighted, amazed, informed, entertained, uplifted.
With inspired leadership, Executive Director/Station Manager/Development Director Amanda Eichstaedt is at the helm creating competence at all levels, positive esprit de corps, while also reading entire books to us on Turning Pages, and conducting groundbreaking interviews with news-making leaders on The Lowdown.
Dedicated Program Director Jeff Manson is consistently creating new shows, training programmers, and keeping good variety on the airwaves, while also developing local events and in-person community on the ground for all!
Outreach Coordinator Jordan Bowen tirelessly supports our valuable Underwriters, develops successful, vibrant online content, and develops crucial connections between real world, online, and radio worlds at all KWMR levels.
Mia Johnson-Martinez organizes volunteers and works behind the scenes to build and improve communications with all of our volunteers including radio hosts, event volunteers, and station ambassadors.
Our engineering team—Richard Dillman, James Mohri and IT Director Ian McMurray— collectively have not only added the whole town of Tomales to our radio broadcast listenership last year, but have also created 100% KWMR broadcast-capacity offsite in case of emergency, all the while keeping KWMR running smoothly 24/7.
The Adventure
KWMR has always had a strong will to survive-thrive-amaze since its broadcast inception 27 years ago on May 2, 1999. This past year was no exception. When the US Congress abruptly cancelled 60 years of Public Broadcasting support in July 2025, ignoring the law that calls for a two-year notice of such cuts, KWMR lost $165,000 annually: 25% of its annual funding lost overnight!
KWMR did not miss a beat. Listeners called in from all directions with new ideas and overwhelmingly enthusiastic financial support. Calendar Club monthly donations increased by over 30%. A strong wave of financial support in late summer of 2025 raised $140K, and an Amazing-End-of-Year appeal just exceeded our goal of $100K.
KWMR’s dynamism attracted the attention of The Public Media Company, a privately-funded organization. KWMR applied for and received a one-time grant of $152,000, along with an offer to join a cohort of stations redefining public media. The Public Media Company is dedicated to developing private/public systems and alternatives, with the goal of keeping public radio and television alive.
The Challenge
Only now, as we approach our 27th Anniversary on May 2, 2026, do we need to raise that 25% of the annual funding we lost: Our Spring Pledge Drive goal is $150,000.
HERE WE GO! Time to kick into high gear and prove that KWMR can continue to survive-thrive-amaze with listener-supported funding!
That means us. That means you, me, and every listener who cares about KWMR: to contribute what we can to keep KWMR alive and well.
The Reward
What will we receive in return for our financial support and generosity??
In addition to ensuring the continued existence of KWMR, and being delighted, amazed, informed and uplifted by KWMR’s broadcasts, you will join a community—in person, online, and on the radio—dedicated to building positive connections and meaningful dialogue to meet the challenges of negativity all around us.
Join us in this positive effort, and know that your generosity helps to preserve, grow and sustain one of the most dynamic and highly-developed community radio stations in the USA!