Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Friends of mvyradio?

Friends of mvyradio, LLC is a single member Colorado limited liability company (LLC) created by Public Radio Capital (a tax exempt organization under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, Tax I.D. 84-1558401) to help mvyradio offset expenses from its streaming and programming activities, by enabling its listeners to make tax deductible donations to support mvyradio's continued success.
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2. I thought mvy was a "commercial" radio station?

WMVY's terrestrial operation will remain a commercial radio station. mvyradio, the streaming operation, will be supported by Friends and will be solely funded by listener donations and underwriting from business sponsors. [back to top]

3. What is the money used for?

Every dime donated to the Friends of mvyradio will go directly to creating the initiatives that take mvyradio to a higher level and enhance the opportunities for programming that we feel will be unique and exclusive to you as a listener. [back to top]

4. Will any of the music or programming that I listen to be changing?

Not one bit. In fact, your donations are what will keep features --- like On The Road and mvy Live! --- in place. If anything, there will be even more options as Friends of mvyradio grows. [back to top]

5. How is Friends of mvyradio funded?

It's funded exclusively from the donations of individual listeners and underwriting from business sponsors. [back to top]

6. Who is Public Radio Capital and how are they involved with Friends of mvyradio?

Public Radio Capital's (PRC) mission is to strengthen and expand public radio services in communities nationwide, so that people have greater program choices for in-depth information, unbiased news, diverse music and cultural programming.

Since its founding in 2001, Public Radio Capital, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, has secured public radio services for over 22 million people nationwide.

PRC chose to create the Friends of mvyradio to ensure that the diverse music selection and unique approach to music, artists and listeners mvyradio provides will continue on and grow into the future.

To find out more about PRC, visit www.publicradiocapital.org
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7. I would like to make a donation to support Friends of mvyradio. But can I be assured my credit card number is secure when I send it to you via the Internet?

Yes. We use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt all financial data submitted to Friends of mvyradio over the web. SSL renders donors' personal information, including credit card numbers, virtually unreadable to anyone who intercepts it. SSL is supported by all major browsers, including Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. (To find out if your browser is connected to a secure transaction server, look for a solid gold key in the lower right-hand corner of a Netscape browser. For a Microsoft browser, look for a locked padlock.).

Additionally, when we verify credit card donations we take an extra security step to address any concerns about credit card fraud by requiring the "Card Security Code," a three-digit code on the back of most cards. [back to top]

8. Is donor information kept confidential?

mvyradio never sells, trades, or rents donor information, and our site has security measures to prevent the loss, misuse, or alteration of donor and donation data. The same holds true for any and all third-party transaction agencies we may use to process your donation.

On the donation form is an option where you can choose to have your name used on-air as a Friend of mvyradio. If you select that, you will be included from time to time in acknowledgment of your friendship. [back to top]

9. What credit cards can donors use when giving to the Friends of mvyradio?

We currently accept donations made using Visa, MasterCard or American Express. [back to top]

10. Is my donation tax deductible?

Yes, your donation to Friends of mvyradio is tax deductible in the amount of your donation. [back to top]

11. I think the company I work for may have a "Matching Grants" program, should I try to get my company to match my donation to Friends of mvyradio?

Yes, absolutely. Many companies offer funds to match charitable donations made by their employees to non-profit organizations such as Friends of mvyradio. Please contact your employer's Human Resources Department for more information regarding matching grant programs. Participation usually only requires filling out a single form. [back to top]

12. Can I make a gift in memory of someone else?

If you'd like to make a gift in an individual's memory, just provide the name of the individual on the donation form. Acknowledgements will be sent to the donor and, where appropriate, the person named who inspired the gift. [back to top]

13. How can I give a gift of stock?

Please e-mail us at stockdonation@friendsofmvyradio.org and we'll be happy to discuss that option with you. [back to top]

14. What are the expenses that my donations will help to cover?

Our operating expenses for mvyradio - which includes personnel, licensing fees, bandwidth, travel expenses, equipment upkeep and more - average over $40,000 per month. Here's how it breaks down:

• Bandwidth. Bandwidth is an expensive commodity. Most internet consumers don't even think about bandwidth usage, much less about its cost. As an mvyradio listener, you don't pay directly for your bandwidth usage - we do. Every listener pushes the meter up on the bandwidth and the better the quality of the stream that you listen to, the more expensive that bandwidth is. Add in mymvy, our Archives, our podcasts - anything you can click on and listen to - and the bandwidth costs keep rising.

• Licensing. Plus, there are music licensing agencies like ASCAP, BMI and SESAC. They make sure the songwriters and publishers get paid every time one of their songs gets played. The record industry has become more sensitive to digital media and created '"Sound Exchange'", an agency that collects a performance fee each time a song is played on a stream, in a podcast or downloaded. These fees represent a major expense that will grow as our audience grows.

• On the Road. When we go On the Road to SXSW or Newport or Nashville, we incur significant expenses. It takes a team of people to run the equipment and record the performances, to do the interviews and interface with the artists and to help wherever they can when we've got a heavy schedule of performances we want to capture. In addition to travel expenses we often have to pay additional sponsorship fees for the opportunity of being at the festival. [back to top]




15. Are there other ways that I can help mvyradio?

Absolutely! here are some ideas:

• If you or your company is interested in donating products or services that may help us in any way please send an e-mail to productsandservices@friendsofmvyradio.org.

• If you'd like to volunteer, we often have opportunities that require helping hands. Please send an e-mail to volunteer@friendsofmvyradio.org.

• Spread the word about mvyradio.com. More listeners and more Friends who contribute will help us maintain our independence as well as continuing our music and programming passions. To Invite a friend to discover mvyradio, sending them a postcard by clicking here.

• If you know a business who would benefit from becoming a Friends of mvyradio donor, have them contact donate@friendsofmvyradio.org. [back to top]

16. I want to donate but I don't want to do it online. Can I call it in or mail it?

Yes. If you would prefer to call in your donation, please call (508) 693-5000. If you would prefer to pay by check, please print and fill out this page. And thanks in advance!