Dear WFMU Shareholder,

As a matter of financial principle, WFMU has always endeavored to pay its bills with actual money.

During the fourth quarter of 2008 however, the challenging business environment compelled us to defray our obligations with AAA rated derivatives backed by refried segues and broken headphones. Our creditors responded to these offers with polite but muted enthusiasm.

Consequently, WFMU will devote itself to a two-week fundraising Marathon from March 2nd to March 15th, the purpose of which is to extend our existence into 2009 and beyond.

In other words, it's fundraising time at WFMU and we need your help. Your tax-deductible donation will reap the greatest dividend of all—great radio unsullied by the long arm of corporate greed. And if that's not enough, we have a cool new line of swag, too.

Normally, when the global economy is busy devolving into the stone age, WFMU's response would be to play a long track and wait it out. But that's not an option for us this year. WFMU is facing two critical deadlines in 2009.

First, we have to complete construction on our New York-based booster transmitter by August, or else the FCC will scrap our construction permit. This is the only opportunity we'll ever have to improve our over-the-air reception in New York, Brooklyn and northern Jersey, but we need to raise $80,000 above our operating budget to make it happen.

And if that weren't enough, the landlord for our existing 91.1 FM transmitter site recently went out of business and we've been served with an eviction notice. We have FCC permission to move across the street, but this simple move will cost us $40,000, followed by a 500% increase in our monthly rent.

So the stakes are high. But the stakes are always high, and as long as you're there for us, we'll weather the storm.

Please join the party known as the WFMU Marathon, either by making a tax-deductible pledge online, or by giving us a call during the Marathon at 800-989-9368.

If you're new to our unique brand of fundraising, these pages lays it all out, where you'll find info on this year's swag and this year's line of handcrafted DJ premiums. You'll also find the various ways to pledge, special appeals to our most dedicated listeners, our 2009 DJ tag-teams, and the return of the WFMU Marathon Map!

If you can help us out with an early paid pledge of $180 by March 8th, you can adopt a slice of WFMU for one year. Check out the available items and DJs awaiting your generous attention at wfmu.org/adopt.

If cash is tight, consider joining WFMU's Twelve Step Program by making a monthly donation via your credit card, for any level from $10 per month on up.

But above all, please be there for us during the 2009 Marathon so we can be there for you in 2010.

Ken Freedman
Station Manager
(Send e-mail)

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