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Nonprofiteer
← WSKG PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL

Form 990 for tax year 2023

Filed by WSKG PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL.

Totals

Total revenue
$5,249,153
Total expenses
$5,994,360
Contributions and grants received
$5,173,403
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$61,032
Other revenue
$14,718
Total assets, end of year
$5,857,313
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,268,531
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$4,588,782
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$4,413,898
Management and general expenses
$213,701
Fundraising expenses
$1,366,761
Program service expenses (Part III)
$4,413,898

Program services were 73.6% of total expenses calculated — Part IX's program-services column over total expenses, both as filed.

Line items

Every line the filer filed in Parts VIII, IX and X, as filed and in filed order. Blank columns are left out, and the lines are not forced to add up to the totals above.

Revenue

Part VIII, the statement of revenue.

  • 1b · Membership dues

    $1,511,126

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $2,419,334

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $1,242,943

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $60,978 · excluded $60,978

  • 5 · Royalties

    total $6,285 · excluded $6,285

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $149,563 · personal property $142,696

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $118,280 · personal property $110,755

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $31,283 · personal property $31,941

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $63,224 · unrelated business $63,224

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $5,648

  • 7b · Less cost or other basis and sales expenses

    securities $5,594

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities $54

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total $54 · related or exempt $54

  • 11a · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE

    total $90,520 · related or exempt $90,520

  • 11b · Other revenue: DVD SALES

    total $70 · related or exempt $70

  • 11c · Other revenue: JOINT MASTER CONTROL

    total -$145,381 · related or exempt -$145,381

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    -$54,791

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $303,332 · program services $163,117 · management and general $17,703 · fundraising $122,512

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $1,927,820 · program services $1,335,002 · management and general $32,480 · fundraising $560,338

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $140,443 · program services $106,701 · management and general $3,877 · fundraising $29,865

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $210,345 · program services $155,521 · management and general $4,075 · fundraising $50,749

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $163,307 · program services $106,071 · management and general $3,815 · fundraising $53,421

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $41,190 · program services $14,841 · management and general $1,225 · fundraising $25,124

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $114,541 · management and general $114,541

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $100,083 · program services $26,975 · management and general $1,118 · fundraising $71,990

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $46,394 · program services $1,066 · fundraising $45,328

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $3,328 · program services $1,287 · management and general $389 · fundraising $1,652

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $31,864 · program services $28,683 · fundraising $3,181

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $96,056 · program services $96,056

  • 17 · Travel

    total $10,224 · program services $7,159 · fundraising $3,065

  • 20 · Interest

    total $18,546 · management and general $13 · fundraising $18,533

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $442,879 · program services $341,232 · management and general $24,563 · fundraising $77,084

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $96,361 · fundraising $96,361

  • 24a · Other expenses: PROGRAM ACQUISITIONS

    total $994,689 · program services $994,689

  • 24b · Other expenses: EQUIPMENT RENTAL & MAIN

    total $341,993 · program services $186,400 · fundraising $155,593

  • 24c · Other expenses: BUILDING & EQUIPMENT L

    total $279,961 · program services $275,562 · fundraising $4,399

  • 24d · Other expenses: NETWORK FEES

    total $272,187 · program services $272,187

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $358,817 · program services $301,349 · management and general $9,902 · fundraising $47,566

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $467,780 · end of year $67,847

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $444,146 · end of year $406,028

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $123,006 · end of year $110,371

  • 8 · Inventories for sale or use

    beginning of year $13,091 · end of year $5,454

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $163,094 · end of year $113,347

  • 10a · Land, buildings and equipment: cost or other basis

    $18,405,569

  • 10b · Land, buildings and equipment: accumulated depreciation

    $15,055,370

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $3,634,614 · end of year $3,350,199

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $1,259,659 · end of year $1,413,329

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $526,650 · end of year $390,738

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $516,045 · end of year $660,008

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $353,800 · end of year $84,582

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $467,559 · end of year $511,941

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $12,000 · end of year $12,000

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $4,946,399 · end of year $4,252,545

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $336,237 · end of year $336,237

Mission and programs · 2023

Mission

GUIDED BY YOUR ASPIRATIONS, WSKG SERVES TO INSPIRE WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, EXPLORE THE ARTS, CULTURE AND HERITAGE OF THE REGION AND BEYOND, ENGAGE IN THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION OF NEWS AND ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE, AND ENTERTAIN WITH THE VERY BEST IN MULTIMEDIA PROGRAMMING.

Activities or mission (Part I)

WSKG PUBLIC TELECOM. COUNCIL IS A NON-PROFIT NY CORP WHICH OPERATES A NON-COMMERCIAL PUBLIC TV STATION (WSKG) AND TWO NON-COMMERCIAL PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS.

  • NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS - WSKG NEWS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS GUIDED BY POWERFUL ETHICS, PUBLIC MEDIA'S BEST PRACTICES AND COMMUNITY NEED. WE SUPPORT AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES FACING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH AN OBJECTIVE AND RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF THE FACTS, HIGH QUALITY WRITING AND PRODUCTION, AND DILIGENT JOURNALISM. IN THE PURSUIT OF NEWS WE INSISTENTLY QUESTION, THOROUGHLY RESEARCH, INTELLIGENTLY ANALYZE, AND ETHICALLY SHARE STORIES WITH THE RADIO LISTENERS, TELEVISION VIEWERS AND WEB BROWSERS WHO RELY ON WSKG PUBLIC MEDIA. THROUGH THE CONTENT WE PRODUCE AND THE STORIES WE TELL, WE PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO OUR COMMUNITY'S STRUGGLES AND SUCCESSES. BY MAINTAINING AN INFORMED CITIZENRY, WE WORK TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIFE.

    Expenses $1,378,456

  • ARTS AND CULTURE - WSKG'S ARTS AND CULTURE IS GUIDED BY AN ONGOING COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY IT SERVES WITH THE BEST IN ARTS AND CULTURE CONTENT, LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY, ON MULTIPLE PLATFORMS. WE DO THIS TO RESEARCH, PRESERVE AND SHORE THE RICH AND DIVERSE CULTURE OF OUR VIEWING AREA WITH THE COMMUNITY AND STAYING CONSISTENT WITH OUR GOAL TO CREATE RELEVANT CONTENT THAT PROMOTES UPSTATE NEW YORK AS A UNIQUE CULTURAL DESTINATION, TO PRODUCE COMPELLING STORIES OF THE TRANSFORMOTIVE POWER OF THE ARTS AND TO FEATURE THE EXTRAORDINARY TALENTS OF OUR LOCAL MUSICIANS AND PERFORMERS.

    Expenses $834,201

  • ENGINEERING - ENGINEERING IS CRUCIAL TO THE COUNCIL'S EXISTENCE AS A STATION. IT OVERSEES THE OPERATION, INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE, AND IMPLEMENTATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO BROADCAST EQUIPMENT AND TOWERS ON A DAT-TO-DAY AND LONG-TERM BASIS. IT ALSO MONITORS FCC RULES AND REGULATIONS AND ENSURES STATION COMPLIANCE WITH THESE FEDERAL GUIDELINES, INCLUDING THE CONVERSION TO A DIGITAL BROADCAST SYSTEM.

    Expenses $1,151,747

  • YOUTH FOCUSED, HISTORY & HERITAGE

    Expenses $1,049,494

As filed on the 2023 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Linda Biemer

    CHAIRPERSON

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Duane Splide

    VICE CHAIRPERSON

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Carl Speicher

    SECRETARY/TREASURER

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Anne Bailey

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Dr Carol K Beechy

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Renata Dabrowska

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Juan Vazquez-Leddon

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Rohan Jayasena

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Rob De La Fuenta

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Dan Norton

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Dave Radin

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Diana Riesman

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Judy Siggins

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Maria Strinni

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Darryl Wood

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Natasha Thompson

    PRESIDENT & CEO

    Total calculated
    $122,512
    From this org
    $108,663
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $13,849
    Hours/week
    40

  • Allen Buyck

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Ann-Marie Adams

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Jill Feury

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Ian Harrop

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Beth Bossong

    TRUSTEE

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    0.5

  • Brian Frey

    DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

    Total calculated
    $163,117
    From this org
    $132,898
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $30,219
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $132,898
    Bonus
    $0
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $9,303
    Nontaxable benefits
    $20,916
    Filer's total
    $163,117

  • James Godleski

    FINANCE DIRECTOR

    Total calculated
    $17,703
    From this org
    $13,500
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $4,203
    Hours/week
    40

Compensation is as filed in Part VII: reportable pay from this organization and from related organizations, other compensation, and hours per week. The total, marked calculated, is our sum of the three dollar columns, with a blank column counted as $0; the form itself has no total. On a Form 990-EZ the columns are Part IV's instead, and on a Form 990-PF Part VIII's — compensation, contributions to benefit plans, and expense account — and the total sums those. A Schedule J breakdown is as filed: base pay, bonus, other, deferred compensation and nontaxable benefits from this organization, with any from related organizations beside each, and the filer's own total. It is shown with the Part VII listing of the same name on the same return. The form gives no key between the two, so that pairing is ours, and is marked matched by us.

Schedule J

Answered yes

  • 3 · Compensation committee
  • 3 · Form 990 of other organizations
  • 3 · Approval by the board or compensation committee

Answered no

  • 4a · Severance or change-of-control payment
  • 4b · Supplemental nonqualified retirement plan
  • 4c · Equity-based compensation arrangement
  • 5a · Pay contingent on this organization's revenues
  • 5b · Pay contingent on a related organization's revenues
  • 6a · Pay contingent on this organization's net earnings
  • 6b · Pay contingent on a related organization's net earnings
  • 7 · Other non-fixed payments
  • 8 · Paid under the initial-contract exception

The filer's explanations (Part III)

PART I, LINE 3
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS ESTABLISHED BASED ON AVERAGE SALARIES FOR EXECUTIVES AT SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS. CURRENT DIRECTOR'S SALARY IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ON A THREE YEAR CONTRACT BASIS. COMPENSATION OF FINANCE DIRECTOR IS APPROVED BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ON AN ANNUAL BASIS.

Part I's answers as filed. A line not listed was left unanswered; on lines 1a and 3 that means the box was not checked.

Grants on this return

No itemized grants to organizations on this return.

Provenance

Return type
form_990
Tax year
2023
Filed
28 February 2025
IRS schema version
2023v6.0
Source object
202520659349301412

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