WXPN Receives $600,000 In Challenge Grants To Fund New Home

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Created on Tuesday, 06 April 2004 15:28

The station will kick-off its on-air capital campaign on April 15. Each member's pledge will be matched by local contributions.

Philadelphia, PA On April 15, WXPN, the nationally-acclaimed public radio station of the University of Pennsylvania, will kick-off its on-air fund drive for "The Campaign for WXPN," raising money for its new headquarters which will be located in the same building as the new World Cafe Live entertainment facility at 3025 Walnut Street in Philadelphia.

The goal of the campaign is to raise $4 million, and the station has already received $1.7 million in gifts from its friends and members. In addition, WXPN announced that a total of $600,000 in new matching grants has been received from: the Leonard and Evelyn Lauder Foundation ($250,000); the William Penn Foundation ($200,000); Real Entertainment Group - creators of World Cafe Live ($125,000); and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 98 and the National Electrical Contractors Association ($25,000). Combined these gifts will be matched dollar for dollar during the public phase of the campaign.

"We're thrilled to receive these very generous matching grants, and want to thank our donors for their contributions," said Roger LaMay, general manager of WXPN. "The Campaign for WXPN is our largest-ever fundraising initiative. With the support of our friends, we'll finally be able to bring our staff and volunteers under one roof for the first time in over 12 years, and will provide a physical presence for members to come and enjoy musical artists in a warm and intimate setting."

WXPN will be moving into the 40,000 square foot former Hajoca building this fall. Dranoff Properties is the developer of the $15 million restoration of the 40,000 square foot former Hajoca building. WXPN and Real Entertainment Group have partnered to create a world-class music performance space for World Cafe Live and state-of-the-art studios for the radio station. WXPN and World Cafe Live will operate independently.

Music fans from across the region and beyond will enjoy live music in a relaxed and comfortable setting at World Cafe Live. The venue is named after the award-winning World Cafe® music program produced by WXPN and syndicated to more than 160 public radio stations. World Cafe Live is designed to provide music lovers with an exceptional listening experience in a state-of-the-art venue that captures the warmth and intimacy of WXPN and its flagship program.

Donors who contribute $500 or more will be recognized in the "Donor Alley" which will be the 31st Street entrance to the new building. Major contributors to The Campaign for WXPN will have their names listed on individual CDs that will serve as "donor name plates" in the upstairs lobby. Depending upon the donation amount, contributors will receive invitations to grand opening events, Singer Songwriter Weekend and others, as well as a variety of commemorative items.

WXPN-FM is the non-commercial public radio service of the University of Pennsylvania and the premier radio showcase for contemporary music that spans the progressive edges
of rock, folk, rhythm and blues, and American roots. WXPN can be heard in the greater Philadelphia/South Jersey area on 88.5 FM. in the Lehigh Valley at 104.9 FM, in Worton/Baltimore at 90.5 FM, and in Harrisburg at 88.1 FM. WXPN is also available worldwide via streaming audio at www.xpn.org. The station also produces programming for national syndication. Its signature series World Cafe with David Dye is distributed by Public Radio International and broadcasts daily on more than 160 public radio stations nationwide. WXPN produces the Peabody-Award winning Kids Corner, hosted by Kathy O'Connell. WXPN also produces the annual Singer Songwriter Weekend two-day music festival. For more information visit www.xpn.org, www.WorldCafe.org, www.kidscorner.org, or call WXPN at (215) 898-6677.

CONTACT:
Kim Winnick
88.5 WXPN
(215) 573-3339

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