As of Dec. 15, WBAI has raised $21,502.12 from listeners and $22,500 from several unions during our Winter of Our Resolve pledge drive, for a total of $44,002.12. That’s roughly what it takes to operate the station for a few weeks.

We simply need to dig deeper to stabilize and fortify the station and Pacifica as we head into the uncharted waters of 2025 and a second Trump term.

Currently, our operating costs—including tower rent, payroll, and rent—require at least $65,000 a month. If we want to wait until spring for another pledge drive, we will need to have raised $125,000 by the end of December. As a result, we will be extending our Winter of Our Resolve pledge drive until the end of the year to take advantage of the incentive for making end-of-year tax-exempt contributions.

We were much encouraged by the $2,000 check last week from the ARC of Justice Foundation and the accompanying letter from Medea Benjamin.

“We at the ARC of Justice Foundation are grateful for your remarkable work to make the world a more just, equitable, sustainable, and peaceful place,” Medea wrote. “We are also honored to be able to provide support for your efforts.”

We’ve added one part-time SAG-AFTRA position and have raised wages for all per diem engineers to the union rate.

Listeners are responding to our new commitment to news and current affairs, including live broadcasts of mayoral and City Council press conferences. Even while we were in pledge mode, on Dec. 5 we broadcast LIVE the New York City Council’s debate and final vote on the controversial City of Yes, the most significant land-use policy change in a generation.

Last week, we broadcast the New York City Council’s rollout of a first-of-its-kind universal cash support program for expectant mothers who may be facing housing insecurity or homelessness. Every year, 1,400 babies are born into the New York City shelter system. Multiple peer-reviewed studies have linked homelessness and poverty with adverse health conditions, including a higher chance of respiratory disease, asthma, and hospitalizations.

Please consider becoming a WBAI Buddy today or making a one-time donation. If you prefer to donate by phone, you can call our new pledge line at 833-WBAI-NYC (833-922-4692). If our volunteers are busy with other listeners, please leave a message, and someone will return your call.

You can also mail a check or money order to:

Pacifica (WBAI)

388 Atlantic Ave.

Brooklyn, NY, 11217

The Pacifica Foundation is tax-exempt.

In just six months, we’ve made significant progress with the help of Pacifica’s national office and two generous bequests, paying off close to $260,000 in debt while re-inventing the way we fund our station to comply with an FCC consent decree while introducing new programs.

Now more than ever, we need a globally aware, labor-informed, community-based broadcast outlet that’s there when we need it.

Keziah Glow

Interim Program Director

We Decide: America at the Crossroads

Co-executive Producer

Bob Hennelly

Interim General Manager

We Decide: America at the Crossroads

Co-executive Producer

Your support is crucial. Every contribution helps us continue offering the programs you love, without compromise. Join us in this important pledge drive to ensure WBAI remains a powerful voice for the community. Please consider becoming a BAI Buddy to support our programming.

Call 833-WBAI-NYC to donate, or visit buddy.wbai.org to make your contribution today.