WAMU 88.5 Day Sponsor Policy

Description of Day Sponsorship Program

Donors who contribute $500 and greater are entitled to sponsor one day of programs on WAMU 88.5. The donor will receive three on-air credits on a single day. Donors may choose the date of their Day Sponsorship, provided other donors have not already reserved all available Day Sponsorship slots on that day. Please note, donors who contribute $1,000 and greater are entitled to sponsor two days of programs on WAMU 88.5.

To ensure adequate schedule and production time dates must be requested at least 14 calendar days in advance.

Donors who are eligible for more than one Day Sponsorship are requested not to reserve consecutive days, but such requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility for Day Sponsorships

Day Sponsorships are a form of special recognition available solely to individual donors. Persons interested in sponsoring a day through a contribution from their individual family foundation are encouraged to contact WAMU 88.5's Member Service Department at 202-885-8874 or lgulley@wamu.org prior to their contribution.

Day Sponsorships are non-transferable and may not be donated to a third party.

WAMU 88.5 does not accept anonymous Day Sponsorships.

Day Sponsorships must be used within one year of WAMU 88.5's receipt of the qualifying contribution.

Requirements for Sponsorship Messages

Messages must conform to WAMU 88.5's Day Sponsorship format. All messages must begin, "Today's programs are made possible in part by" followed by the first and last name of the person or persons who made the contribution.

Credits may be a simple statement of sponsorship, e.g. "Today's programs are made possible in part by Thomas Jones" or may include a dedication line, e.g. "Today's programs are made possible in part by Thomas Jones, in celebration of the birthday of Elizabeth Jones."

Day Sponsorships must be personal in nature. They may not include promotional, commercial or controversial messages of any kind. Language referencing political campaigns, candidacies or legislation will not be accepted.

Individuals may recognize non-profit organizations, but their message may not be promotional in nature. Messages may generally support an organization's work, or recognize its staff or volunteers, but may not provide descriptive or qualitative language about the organization. For example, the following would be acceptable, "Today's programs are made possible in part by Mindy Crabapple, in recognition of the staff and volunteers of the American Red Cross."

Because Day Sponsorship messages are intended to be personal, messages may not include any information that implies a "call to action" from our listening audience. Therefore, Day Sponsorships may not include contact information any kind (for example: addresses, phone numbers, or web addresses) or the dates, times or locations of any event. Individuals who desire to promote nonprofit, community, cultural events are encouraged to submit a Public Service Announcement. WAMU 88.5's Public Service Announcement policy is available online.

Day Sponsorships may not be used to promote businesses. Businesses interested in sponsoring WAMU 88.5's programs are encouraged to contact WAMU 88.5's Corporate Marketing Director at 202-885-1248 or ahayes@wamu.org.

Day Sponsorship messages may be a maximum of 15 seconds long when read in an even and unhurried manner.

WAMU 88.5 reserves the right of final approval for all Day Sponsorship messages.

Any questions regarding WAMU 88.5's Day Sponsorship Program should be directed to the WAMU 88.5 Member Service Department at 202-885-8874 or lgulley@wamu.org.

The following are examples of acceptable Day Sponsorship messages:

Today's programs are made possible in part by...

...John Allen and Susan Brown, in celebration of their 10th wedding anniversary.

...Bob and Judith Carlton, in memory of Louis Carlton.

...Sally Pearson, in support of The American Heart Association.

...Mark Simon, honoring the dedicated staff and volunteers of Habitat for Humanity.

Submitting your Sponsorship request

To submit your Day Sponsorship request, please send an e-mail message to lgulley@wamu.org.

Please include your first and last name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, your requested Day Sponsorship date and the text you would like us to read on the air.

Please note, all Day Sponsorship messages must conform to our standard format: they must begin "today's programs are made possible in part by (name)" followed by a brief personal message.

Day Sponsorship requests may also be faxed to 202-885-1287, or may be phoned in to 202-885-1252. If you have any questions, please feel free to call WAMU 88.5 Member Services at 202-885-1252.