FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 18, 2006
Contact: Bobbie Fisher, Director of Corporate Communications, 757.889.9107
WHRO RECEIVES INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
New Planned Giving Initiative Garners National Attention
Norfolk: WHRO has received three honors from the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Development Advisory Committee.
WHRO received the Development Award in Planned Giving, as well as two Certificates of Achievement for Special Fundraising Events and Overall Development.
The Development Award in Planned Giving was earned for WHRO’s Plant, Nurture and GROW! initiative, focusing on planned giving through the establishment of a committed Planned Giving Advisory Committee, representing the large geographic region served by WHRO. Planned giving inquiries grew 62% while Legacy Society membership for donors who include WHRO in their estate planning expanded 12%. WHRO received five bequests in FY06, including the station’s single largest bequest ever, from a $35 annual member whose giving lapsed during the last decade of his life. As a result of these bequests, the WHRO endowment quadrupled.
A Certificate of Achievement for Special Fundraising Events was awarded for WHRO’s Third Annual Pioneer Awards, a fundraising dinner honoring individuals and/or corporations that have made significant and lasting contributions in the fields of public broadcasting and educational telecommunications and improved the quality of life in the Hampton Roads community. The 2006 event honored David and Susan Goode, and resulted in a 35% net increase over the 2005 event, and a 13% increase over goal for 2006.
A Certificate of Achievement for Overall Development was awarded for WHRO’s development efforts during the 2006 fiscal year, in which WHRO redesigned its development department, resulting in greater efficiencies. During the past year WHRO saw a 4% increase in donor retention and a 10% net increase in monies raised for the organization.
“We are delighted to be recognized by PBS for our efforts,” said Chief Development Officer Virginia Thumm, who led the redesign of the department. “Our new initiatives afford both current and potential members more opportunities to support the station, and the results speak for themselves.” Chief Operating Officer Regina Brayboy added, “The creativity exhibited by our development team has been a boon to WHRO. The new initiatives have been implemented with donors’ ease and convenience in mind, and we’re very excited to have received three awards!”
The award ceremony will take place on October 4, 2006, at the PBS Development Conference.
WHRO is a regional media company that promotes education, culture and citizenship to the citizens of Hampton Roads, Virginia through a variety of services. Every day, thousands of viewers and listeners tune in to broadcast programming on WHRO's public television and two public radio stations. Since its founding more than 40 years ago to support education, WHRO has employed creativity and technology to serve its mission to enrich audiences through content that educates, entertains and promotes understanding. Owned by 15 local school divisions, WHRO delivers educational and new media services to 286,000 students and 25,000 educators per month as well.