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Nonprofiteer
← UNIVERSITY RADIO FOUNDATION INC

Form 990 for tax year 2022

Filed by UNIVERSITY RADIO FOUNDATION INC.

Totals

Total revenue
$7,055,431
Total expenses
$8,778,993
Contributions and grants received
$6,935,407
Grants paid
$0
Program service revenue
$0
Investment income
$118,345
Other revenue
$1,679
Total assets, end of year
$7,061,863
Total liabilities, end of year
$2,566,070
Net assets or fund balances, end of year
$4,495,793
Program services expenses (Part IX)
$5,036,153
Management and general expenses
$1,721,275
Fundraising expenses
$2,021,565
Program service expenses (Part III)
$5,036,153

Program services were 57.4% 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.

  • 1c · Fundraising events

    $384

  • 1e · Government grants (contributions)

    $421,587

  • 1f · All other contributions, gifts and grants

    $6,513,436

  • 1g · Noncash contributions included above

    $83,257

  • 3 · Investment income

    total $125,304 · excluded $125,304

  • 6a · Gross rents

    real property $800

  • 6b · Less rental expenses

    real property $0

  • 6c · Rental income or loss

    real property $800

  • 6d · Net rental income or loss

    total $800 · excluded $800

  • 7a · Gross sales of assets other than inventory

    securities $564,917

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

    securities $571,876

  • 7c · Gain or loss

    securities -$6,959

  • 7d · Net gain or loss

    total -$6,959 · excluded -$6,959

  • 8a · Fundraising events: gross income

    $0

  • 8a · Fundraising events: contributions included on line 1c

    $384

  • 8b · Fundraising events: direct expenses

    $12,774

  • 8c · Net income from fundraising events

    total -$12,774 · excluded -$12,774

  • 11a · Other revenue: DATA CHANNELS

    total $9,486 · related or exempt $9,486

  • 11b · Other revenue: MISCELLANEOUS REVENUE

    total $4,167 · related or exempt $4,167

  • 11e · Other revenue, total

    $13,653

Functional expenses

Part IX, the statement of functional expenses.

  • 5 · Compensation of officers, directors and key employees

    total $734,702 · program services $338,358 · management and general $204,486 · fundraising $191,858

  • 7 · Other salaries and wages

    total $4,061,366 · program services $2,243,240 · management and general $888,580 · fundraising $929,546

  • 8 · Pension plan contributions

    total $124,269 · program services $93,607 · management and general $25,194 · fundraising $5,468

  • 9 · Other employee benefits

    total $386,541 · program services $237,197 · management and general $67,054 · fundraising $82,290

  • 10 · Payroll taxes

    total $346,813 · program services $186,237 · management and general $83,743 · fundraising $76,833

  • 11a · Fees: management

    total $93,895 · management and general $93,895

  • 11b · Fees: legal

    total $76,515 · program services $2,500 · management and general $74,015

  • 11c · Fees: accounting

    total $25,371 · management and general $25,371

  • 11e · Fees: professional fundraising services

    total $304,151 · fundraising $304,151

  • 11f · Fees: investment management

    total $12,215 · management and general $12,215

  • 11g · Fees: other

    total $123,211 · program services $112,347 · fundraising $10,864

  • 12 · Advertising and promotion

    total $49,927 · program services $6,721 · management and general $111 · fundraising $43,095

  • 13 · Office expenses

    total $19,082 · program services $5,875 · management and general $7,836 · fundraising $5,371

  • 14 · Information technology

    total $139,816 · program services $80,191 · management and general $15,247 · fundraising $44,378

  • 16 · Occupancy

    total $596,794 · program services $416,711 · management and general $78,696 · fundraising $101,387

  • 17 · Travel

    total $94,407 · program services $35,015 · management and general $45,945 · fundraising $13,447

  • 19 · Conferences, conventions and meetings

    total $36,789 · program services $1,157 · management and general $30,377 · fundraising $5,255

  • 20 · Interest

    total $4,476 · management and general $4,476

  • 22 · Depreciation, depletion and amortization

    total $90,880 · program services $84,887 · management and general $2,315 · fundraising $3,678

  • 23 · Insurance

    total $52,797 · program services $25,129 · management and general $22,703 · fundraising $4,965

  • 24a · Other expenses: PROGRAM FEES

    total $1,046,662 · program services $1,046,662 · management and general $0 · fundraising $0

  • 24b · Other expenses: DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

    total $133,828 · program services $89,207 · management and general $26,034 · fundraising $18,587

  • 24c · Other expenses: BANK AND TRANSACTION FE

    total $103,154 · program services $40 · management and general $11,814 · fundraising $91,300

  • 24d · Other expenses: MISCELLANEOUS

    total $63,305 · program services $19,647 · management and general $0 · fundraising $43,658

  • 24e · All other expenses

    total $58,027 · program services $11,425 · management and general $1,168 · fundraising $45,434

Balance sheet

Part X, book values.

  • 1 · Cash, non-interest-bearing

    beginning of year $1,347,983 · end of year $338,242

  • 3 · Pledges and grants receivable

    beginning of year $386,192 · end of year $387,181

  • 4 · Accounts receivable

    beginning of year $216,035 · end of year $244,119

  • 9 · Prepaid expenses and deferred charges

    beginning of year $114,437 · end of year $91,086

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

    $2,174,470

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

    $1,809,960

  • 10c · Land, buildings and equipment, net

    beginning of year $390,152 · end of year $364,510

  • 11 · Investments: publicly traded securities

    beginning of year $4,052,386 · end of year $4,417,092

  • 15 · Other assets

    beginning of year $9,987 · end of year $1,219,633

  • 17 · Accounts payable and accrued expenses

    beginning of year $446,617 · end of year $469,635

  • 19 · Deferred revenue

    beginning of year $107,209 · end of year $194,458

  • 23 · Secured mortgages and notes payable

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $502,316

  • 25 · Other liabilities

    beginning of year $0 · end of year $1,399,661

  • 27 · Net assets without donor restrictions

    beginning of year $5,302,924 · end of year $3,805,678

  • 28 · Net assets with donor restrictions

    beginning of year $660,422 · end of year $690,115

Mission and programs · 2022

Mission

JOURNALISM THAT INFORMS, ENRICHES, AND INSPIRES. OUR VISION IS TO HELP CREATE A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY GROUNDED IN OUR SHARED HUMANITY.

  • WFAE IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR THE CHARLOTTE REGION AND ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S LEADING PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS. WFAE'S MISSION IS TO CREATE A MORE KNOWLEDGEABLE AND ENGAGED COMMUNITY GROUNDED IN OUR SHARED HUMANITY. OUR VISION IS ACHIEVED THROUGH JOURNALISM THAT INFORMS, ENRICHES AND INSPIRES. IN MEASURE OF OUR ADVANCING OUR MISSION AND VISION, FY23 WAS A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.FINANCIALLY SPEAKING, FY23 WAS A CHALLENGING YEAR FOR WFAE. THE SPIKE IN CONTRIBUTIONS FROM FY22 DID NOT REPEAT IN FY23. CORPORATE UNDERWRITING CONTINUED TO DECLINE FROM FY19 LEVELS AS CORPORATIONS REDUCED THE MARKETING DOLLARS SPENT WITH PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL RADIO STATIONS.SIGNIFICANT PERSONNEL CHANGES:- WFAE INTERNALIZED MANAGEMENT OF CORPORATE UNDERWRITING SALES IN JANUARY 2022. FY23 RESULTS PRESENT FULL YEAR COSTS.- JOE O'CONNOR RESIGNED AS WFAE'S CEO / PRESIDENT IN MARCH 2023.- JU-DON MARSHALL WAS APPOINTED CEO / PRESIDENT IN APRIL 2023.- WFAE IMPLEMENTED A HIRING FREEZE IN DECEMBER 2022 FOR ALL NON-REVENUE PRODUCING POSITIONS. ANY ATTRITION AT WFAE HAS BEEN ABSORBED (NO REPLACEMENT REHIRES).- JOURNALIST REPRESENTED BY SAG AFTRA PETITIONED FOR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING (DECEMBER 2022). WE REACHED AN AGREEMENT THAT WAS FINALIZED FEBRUARY 1, 2024, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 20, 2023.PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTSWFAE'S NEWSROOM SPENT THE LATTER HALF OF FY23 EXPLORING CHARLOTTE'S "CORRIDORS OF OPPORTUNITY" - SIX DIVERSE, ECONOMICALLY-DISADVANTAGED PARTS OF EAST, WEST AND NORTH CHARLOTTE. THESE CORRIDORS ARE DESIGNATED BY THE CITY AS FOCUS AREAS FOR INVESTMENT. FROM JANUARY TO JUNE, THE NEWSROOM PRODUCED MORE THAN 30 STORIES THAT LOOKED AT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, CHALLENGES, PLANS AND THE PEOPLE WHO CALL THESE AREAS HOME. "CHARLOTTE TALKS" CONTINUED ITS LONG TRADITION AS THE 'TALK SHOW OF RECORD' FOR THE REGION. HOST MIKE COLLINS HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH EXPERTS, POLITICIANS, AUTHORS AND OTHERS ABOUT TOPICS SUCH AS AI, THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, PROCESSING TRAUMA AND CHARLOTTE'S CULINARY SCENE. THE SHOW CONTINUED ITS REGULAR CONVERSATIONS WITH LOCAL REPORTERS FOR A WEEKLY NEWS ROUNDUP AND MONTHLY CHECK-INS WITH THE MAYOR OF CHARLOTTE. THE SHOW ALSO PRODUCED "LIVING IN CHARLOTTE" SERIES THAT FOCUSED ON THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY NEWCOMERS AND NOT-SO-NEWCOMERS ABOUT THE QUEEN CITY. REPORTER STEVE HARRISON DELVED INTO ISSUES SUCH AS THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, TRANSPORTATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. HE CO-HOSTED WFAE'S "INSIDE POLITICS" PODCAST THAT EXPLORED THE ISSUES THAT WERE CONNECTING WITH VOTERS AND OTHER ISSUES ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. STEVE HARRISON AND LISA WORF PRODUCED "FALLING SHORT," A THREE-PART SERIES ABOUT WHY DEMOCRATS KEEP LOSING MOST STATEWIDE RACES." THE SERIES WON SEVERAL AWARDS INCLUDING A NATIONAL MURROW AWARD. REPORTER ANN DOSS HELMS REPORTED ON LOCAL AND STATE EDUCATION ISSUES. CLOSE TO HOME, THERE WERE STORIES ABOUT THE SEARCH FOR A NEW CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT, STAFF SHORTAGES AND RETENTION, AND STUDENT ASSIGNMENT BOUNDARIES. ON A STATE LEVEL, ANN LOOKED AT THE EFFECTS OF VOUCHER PLANS AND STATE TESTING SCORES. WITH GRANTS FROM THE SALAMANDER AND 1EARTH FUNDS, WFAE CONTINUED ITS CLIMATE COVERAGE. REPORTER DAVID BORAKS EXAMINED HOW CLIMATE CHANGE AFFECTS THE CAROLINAS. HIS STORIES FOCUSED ON AIR QUALITY, NORTH CAROLINA'S WOOD PELLET INDUSTRY, HOW EVS ARE CHANGING THE CAR LANDSCAPE, AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY REGULATIONS. "FRACTURED" EXAMINED HOW NORTH CAROLINA'S MENTAL HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS ARE FAILING THE MENTALLY ILL. THE 10-PART SERIES WAS A CULMINATION OF A YEARLONG INVESTIGATION THAT INCLUDED CONTACTING THE COURTHOUSE AND JAIL IN EACH OF NORTH CAROLINA'S 100 COUNTIES. AFTER THE SERIES, WFAE HOSTED A COMMUNITY FORUM WITH PANELISTS INCLUDING KODY KINSELY, SECRETARY OF THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; SPENCER MERRIWEATHER, MECKLENBURG COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY; RICHARD WELLS, AN ATTORNEY IN GUILFORD COUNTY'S PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE; AND DANA MILLER ERVIN, REPORTER FOR "FRACTURED." CURRENTLY, WFAE IS WORKING WITH FRONTLINE, PARTNER AND FUNDER FOR THE "FRACTURED" SERIES, ON A DOCUMENTARY. THE NEWSROOM PRODUCED STORIES AND LOOKED AT RACE AND EQUITY INCLUDING A PROGRAM THAT SERVES TEENS AND ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, HOW THE END OF TITLE 42 IMPACTS LOCAL SCHOOLS, HOW A BOUTIQUE OWNER BECAME A VIRAL SENSATION OFFERING PLUS-SIZE OPTIONS, AND THE RIGHTS OF TRANSGENDERED CHILDREN IN NORTH CAROLINA.OUR EQUALIBRIUM LIVE SERIES HOSTED FIVE EVENTS:- MENTAL HEALTH CONVERSATIONS (VIRTUAL SERIES OF EVENTS)- THE GROWING IMPACT AND INFLUENCE OF LATINOS ON THE CHARLOTTE AREA- DISABILITY AWARENESS AND ACCESSIBILITY IN CHARLOTTE- THE POWER OF BLACK STORYTELLING- ADVANCING MATERNAL HEALTH EQUITYTHE "SOUTHBOUND" PODCAST CONTINUED TO TALK WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE BORN AND RAISED IN THE SOUTH. HOST TOMMY TOMLINSON SPOKE WITH SOUTHERNERS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE - FROM AUTHORS AND SPORTS WRITERS TO MUSICIANS AND COMEDIANS. SENIOR EDITOR SARAH MOBLEY SMITH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRODUCER DANTE MILLER WERE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN "UPWARD:NC," A LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR JOURNALISTS OF COLOR. THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC PUBLICATIONS RECOGNIZED REPORTERS LAURA BRACHE AND MARIA RAMIREZ URIBE FOR ARTICLES THEY PRODUCED AS PART OF AN ONGOING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LA NOTICIA AND WFAE. JU-DON MARSHALL, WFAE'S CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, WAS NAMED ONE OF THE LEADERS SHAPING CHARLOTTE BY QCITY METRO.

    Expenses $4,296,874

  • BROADCASTING AND ENGINEERING - EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH BROADCAST STUDIOS, TRANSMITTERS, TOWERS, AND ANTENNAS, ENGINEER, IP INTERCONNECTS, SATELLITE FACILITIES, UTILITIES, REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE COSTS FOR STUDIOS, TRANSMITTERS, TOWERS, AND ANTENNAS.

    Expenses $471,418

  • PROGRAM INFORMATION - PROMOTION AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY OF LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS OF INTEREST TO OUR LISTENERS. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH HOSTING FORUMS, BRINGING IN PUBLIC RADIO PERSONALITIES TO SPEAK AND OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH INFORMING OUR LISTENERS BY NEWSLETTERS, E-BLASTS, OUTREACH MATERIALS.

    Expenses $267,861

As filed on the 2022 return. The filer continues this part on Schedule O, which is not shown here.

Listed in Part VII

  • Richard Lancaster

    BOARD CHAIR 2022 & MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Nick Wharton

    BOARD VICE CHAIR 2022

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Angela Oliver

    SECRETARY 2022

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Glenn Stewart

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Chris Cicoletti

    TREASURER 2022 & BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Meg Whalen

    BOARD MEMBER 2022

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mark Ethridge

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Paul Freestone

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dan Clodfelter

    BOARD MEMBER 2022

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Riaz Bhamani

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Mary Tabor Engel

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Sharon Blalock

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Tony Norwood

    BOARD MEMBER 2022

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Dick Sesler

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Gene Cochrane

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Diana Quarry

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Matthew Socha

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & TREASURER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Nichelle Levy

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Judith Schindler

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kristoffer Shepard

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Kathleen Price

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Gray Dyer

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • John Cleghorn

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jenn Stuart

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Laura Meyer Wellman

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Jennifer Beightley

    BOARD MEMBER 2022 & SECRETARY 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    4

  • Anna Caulkins

    BOARD MEMBER 2023

    Total calculated
    $0
    Hours/week
    1

  • Douglas Handy

    CHIEF OP & FINANCIAL OFFIC

    Total calculated
    $151,415
    From this org
    $150,190
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $1,225
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $148,190
    Bonus
    $2,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $373
    Nontaxable benefits
    $852
    Filer's total
    $151,415

  • Ju-Don Marshall

    PRESIDENT & CEO (3/6/23-CURRENT)

    Total calculated
    $201,038
    From this org
    $181,488
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $19,550
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $166,488
    Bonus
    $15,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $10,644
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,906
    Filer's total
    $201,038

  • H Joseph O' Connor

    PRESIDENT AND CEO THROUGH 3/6/23

    Total calculated
    $250,186
    From this org
    $228,121
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $22,065
    Hours/week
    40

    Schedule J breakdown matched by us

    Base
    $208,121
    Bonus
    $20,000
    Other
    $0
    Deferred
    $13,113
    Nontaxable benefits
    $8,952
    Filer's total
    $250,186

  • Debra Turner Bailey

    CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $147,202
    From this org
    $139,903
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $7,299
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jobie Sprinkle

    DIRECTOR OF IT/ENGINEERING

    Total calculated
    $133,345
    From this org
    $117,878
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $15,467
    Hours/week
    40

  • Jeff Bundy

    EXEC DIR - BRANDING

    Total calculated
    $132,425
    From this org
    $120,847
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $11,578
    Hours/week
    40

  • Penda Howell

    CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER

    Total calculated
    $149,173
    From this org
    $143,844
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $5,329
    Hours/week
    40

  • Lisa Gergely

    CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

    Total calculated
    $115,814
    From this org
    $109,420
    From related orgs
    $0
    Other
    $6,394
    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 · Written employment contract
  • 3 · Compensation survey or study
  • 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

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
2022
Filed
10 May 2024
IRS schema version
2022v5.0
Source object
202411369349309771

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