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SESSION D.4: (d) TRAINERS NOTES

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

COMMUNITY RADIO INCOME CHECKLIST

Objective:

  • To decide on an appropriate funding policy.
  • To devise strategies to secure such funding.

In essence, a Community Radio station has to make a policy decision in relation to funding. It can target advertising strongly, but should be aware that advertising in an ideology and can have a subtle influence on programming. Or it can seek to develop what has been termed ëSocial Fundingí, where they realise that the relationship between the station and its funder's, is as important as the finance.

They could develop a funding strategy along the following lines;

PUBLIC: Statutory bodies would be encouraged to provide core funding for the broad community development remit. Also, to provide programme-related grants and to contract the station to deliver training services locally to eligible recipients.

COMMUNITY: To develop the community/listnership support by encouraging individuals and community organisations to support the various station fundraising events.

PRIVATE: To seek local business Sponsorship, which is compatible with the Community Radio Charter. Caring organisations can also be encouraged to fund relevant projects, for example, training programmes for people in their particular sector.

Such an approach to funding ensures that the community station faces towards its community, is firmly bedded in the community and depends on the community for its financial viability. This too is an ideology, but one that is more compatible with the Community Radio Charter.

  • Having read the exercise explanation, you should take the participants through it to ensure that they understand it.
  • If you judge the mood to be right, add a competitive element in that
  • 'Dams' can only be placed in someone's stream if someone in the general crowd thinks of an obstacle that the streamers did not include on their paper.
  • And for the group to break into at least five smaller groups of at least two persons each.
  • This exercise asks the facilitator to start with a drawing of a pool on the flip chart. (Explain that they will return to this pool to add their stream of money later.)
  • Ask participants to select at random from five or six slips of paper lying face down. These are potential funders.

Materials:
Writing materials.

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