Listener FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about Membership

Why should I become a "member" of a radio station?
How do I become a member?
I've never used my credit card on the Internet before. Is it safe?
How do I know if my browser supports secure transactions?
How do I decide how much to contribute?
How long is my membership valid?
When can I expect to receive the thank-you gift I was promised when I pledged during KMFA’s membership drive?
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Does KMFA exchange its members’ names?
What if I move?
Will my employer double my gift?
How can I purchase a KMFA membership as a gift for a friend?
Do you have a different question?

Why should I become a "member" of a radio station?: The quality programming you find on KMFA costs money and KMFA is listener supported radio. Quite simply, we wouldn’t exist without member support. That’s why we turn to the people who listen to help pay the bills. It’s like paying for a subscription to a valued magazine. If you use our service, we request that you do whatever you can to help keep the station viable for the future.
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How do I become a member?: Most people join KMFA for the first time during a membership drive. During the drive, just call in when you hear the phone numbers mentioned and a friendly volunteer will lead you through the membership process. It only takes about 2 minutes. Or you can call the Membership Department at 512-476-5632 or 1-866-472-2221 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. You also can join on-line, or if you prefer, print out our Membership Form and fax it to us at 512-474-7463.
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How do I decide how much to contribute?: The amount you contribute is entirely up to you. Most of our members decide how much to give by thinking about how many hours they listen each day or week and then assigning a value to that listening. The suggested basic level membership is $50 or more (or $25 for full-time students and seniors/retirees). Thank you gifts are available at certain levels during Membership Drives. We hope, however, that the support of quality public radio programming is the true motivation for your pledge.
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I've never used my credit card on the Internet before. Is it safe?: For your protection, KMFA’s Online Pledge Form is stored and served from a secure server, and it requires the use of a secure browser. The financial information your computer sends us is encrypted while in transit. Encrypted files are scrambled and can only be reassembled by someone who has the correct encryption key.
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How do I know if my browser supports secure transactions?: Your browser can't connect to a secure page unless it is equipped to read data securely. If you do have a browser that supports secure transactions, such as Netscape 3 or higher or Internet Explorer 3 or higher, look in the bottom left corner of your browser window. You'll see a key icon or lock icon that closes or completes. You may also see a dialog box, informing you that you are entering or leaving a secure page.
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How long is my membership valid?: Membership extends for one year from the date of your contribution. Your expiration will be printed on your KMFA Classic Card. You will be notified by mail when it’s time to renew your annual membership. To ensure continuous delivery of your member benefits, be sure to renew promptly. Note: Our system interprets any pledge made 4 months or more prior to your expiration date as an “additional gift.” If you prefer, we can change your expiration date for you.
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When can I expect to receive the thank-you gift I was promised when I pledged during KMFA’s membership drive?: To minimize costs and maximize programming dollars, thank you gifts such as CDs are ordered after the drive is over. You should receive your gift six to eight weeks after your pledge has been paid. Members paying by monthly installments receive their gifts after the station’s costs are covered.
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Is my gift tax-deductible?: Your gift to KMFA is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Current IRS regulations allow you to deduct the amount of your contributions during the year MINUS the estimated fair market value of any thank you gifts you received in return. You will receive a statement showing the total amount of your contribution and the value of any gifts you requested. We recommend that you consult your tax advisor for details.
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Does KMFA exchange its members’ names?: Lists of donors to KMFA are sometimes shared with our Arts Partners. If you prefer that your information not be shared, just let us know and we can mark your record accordingly. Call KMFA at 512-476-5632 and ask for a Membership Associate for more information.
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I just sent you my renewal check. Why did I receive another renewal letter?: Renewal notices are mailed based on contributions received by the 15th of the month. If you continue to receive notices after you've renewed, please contact the Membership Department at 512-476-5632 or 1-866-472-2221 or email serler@kmfa.org to verify that we received your contribution and have posted it to the correct account.
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What if I move?: To avoid delays of your member benefits, call the Membership Department at 512-476-5632 or 1-866-472-2221 and notify us of the change. We can take care of it right away.
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Will my employer double my gift?: Many companies and foundations will match the contributions of their employees– and even spouses and retirees–to public broadcasting. It’s a simple way to make your dollars go even further for public radio. Check with your Personnel or Human Resources Office to determine if your company will match your contribution. Fill out the employer-provided matching gift form and send to KMFA at 3001 N. Lamar #100, Austin, TX 78705. Note: Even if your employer matches your gift, you can only receive a thank you gift equal to the amount of your pledge (i.e., matched $60 contributions cannot receive $120 thank you gifts).
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How can I purchase a KMFA membership as a gift for a friend?: Gift memberships are welcome–and a great gift for those hard-to-buy-for family members or friends. Gift memberships begin at $50; your friend will get all the benefits of membership, while you’ll have the satisfaction of supporting your public radio station. When pledging on-line, simply fill out the form with your personal information and then provide the name & address of the gift recipient in the comment section. Of course, you can always call the Membership Department at 512-476-5632 or 1-866-472-2221 during regular business hours. We’ll even send notice of your generous gift to that special person!
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Do you have a different question?: Please call 512-476-5632 or 1-866-472-2221 during regular business hours.
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