Day Sponsor FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Day Sponsorship?

With a membership donation of $500 or above, donors are entitled to "sponsor" a day, in which a personal message of their choosing will be read three times on the air on the date of their choice (provided that no other donor has already reserved that date).

How do I become eligible for a Day Sponsorship?

Day Sponsorships are special recognition for donors who give gifts of $500 and greater. Donors who give $1000 or more become eligible for two day sponsorships within a twelve month period.

I made my donation. What is the next step to getting my message on the air?

The easiest way to submit your day sponsorship message is to e-mail it to membership@wamu.org. If we do not receive your message electronically you will receive more information from us through the mail within six weeks of making your donation. If you have a specific date in mind we strongly encourage you to contact Member Services as early as possible to ensure we can reserve that date for you. If you have any questions please always feel free to contact us at 202-885-1252 or membership@wamu.org

How many times will my message be read on the air?

Your message will be read 3 times on the date of your choice (provided your date is not already reserved or falls during a membership drive)

What if the date I choose is not available?

WAMU 88.5 has 2 Day Sponsorships available each day. We do not broadcast Day Sponsorships during our on-air membership drives (WAMU 88.5 generally has membership drives one week in the Fall, one week in the Spring and a mini-drive in early Summer). Our Member Services team will do everything possible to accommodate your request, however if your date is unavailable please have a second choice in mind.

How much notice do you require to get my message on the air?

We require a minimum of 14 days notice so we have time to get your message approved, produced, and scheduled. If you have a specific date in mind we strongly recommend contacting our Member Services office as early as possible to ensure we can reserve your date. Please email membership@wamu.org or call our Member Services Office at 202-885-1252 for more information.

How long can my Day Sponsorship message be?

Day Sponsorship messages must fit within our guidelines and must be 15 seconds or less when read in an even, unhurried manner.

Can I make an anonymous Day Sponsorship?

No. WAMU 88.5's policy states that the person or persons making the donation must agree to have their first and last name read on the air. (ie: Today's programs are made possible in part by [your name])

Can I donate my Day Sponsorship?

Day Sponsorships are non-transferable; the on-air announcement must list the name of the person or persons making the donation. However, if you wish to honor an organization or group with your Day Sponsorship you may wish to have your message honor the work of the organization or the work of the staff of the organization:

"Today's programs are made possible in part by Mark and Sally Jones, in recognition of the American Red Cross."

or

"Today's programs are made possible in part by Mindy Crabapple, in honor of the hard-working staff and volunteers of the Make-A-Wish Foundation."

My business/charity/school/church is sponsoring an event; can I use my Day Sponsorship to announce the event?

Day Sponsorships must be personal, non-commercial and non-promotional nature. Therefore we cannot use a Day Sponsorship to announce times, dates or locations of any event. Occasionally we may air a message in recognition of the staff of an organization sponsoring an event, such as:

"Today's programs are made possible in part by Tim Wolfe, in recognition of the staff and volunteers working at the 2004 Komen Race for the Cure."

If you would like to announce specific information about an organization or event on the air, we also cannot list web addresses or phone numbers in Day Sponsorship messages. Please contact Anthony Hayes in our Underwriting Department at 202-885-1248 or ahayes@wamu.org

Can my business/non-profit organization purchase a Day Sponsorship?

Day Sponsorships are intended as a special benefit for individual donors who prefer to have a personal message read on the air. If an individual at a business or non-profit would like to make a donation to WAMU 88.5 and then use their Day Sponsorship to recognize the work of their colleagues we will try to accommodate your request. The message must be personal in nature, such as:

"Today's programs are made possible in part by Amanda Summers, in recognition of the dedicated staff of the Nature Conservancy."

How will I know what times my message will be read on the air?

Once we have received your message and your Day Sponsorship has been scheduled, a Member Services Associate will contact you with the times your message is scheduled to be read on the air. Please make sure you give an email address or a day-time phone number when you submit your message so we have a way to contact you. Please feel free to contact our Member Services Department directly if you have any specific questions.

Can you make sure my message is read during my favorite show?

The times Day Sponsorships are read on the air are set well in advance and generally we do not have such flexibility. If you have a special request please contact our Member Services office and we will do everything possible to accommodate your request.

I gave a gift two years ago and I never redeemed my Day Sponsorship. Can I redeem it now?

Day Sponsorships must be redeemed within twelve months from the contribution date; if you have any questions please contact our Member Services Department.

Does a Day Sponsorship have a fair market value? (will doing a Day Sponsorship affect the tax deductibility of my donation?)

No. Day Sponsorships do not have a fair market value and therefore do not affect tax deductibility of your contribution.

Who has final approval of what can be read on the air?

Our Programming Manager has the final approval of all Day Sponsorship on the text of all Day Sponsorship messages.

I have another question not covered in your FAQ.

Please contact WAMU 88.5 Member Services at 202-885-1252 or membership@wamu.org