WUKY Small Business Marketing Award

Mission

WUKY will support small, locally-owned for-profit businesses and non-profits in Fayette, Scott, Bourbon, Clark, Madison, Jessamine & Woodford Counties in Kentucky with on air and online marketing via 91.3 WUKY and its digital channels, with an emphasis on organizations that target underserved communities in the region.

Goals

Increase awareness of small businesses and non-profits among public radio listeners.
Help small business and non-profits reach new markets.

Grant amounts

$5,000-10,000 for on air underwriting (program sponsorships) and digital advertising on WUKY.
The specific amount will be determined by WUKY.

Eligibility

Meets the U.S. Small Business Administration definition of a small business.
A government-issued business license to operate within the WUKY service area.
Small 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations (20 or fewer staff members) in this region are also eligible.
An organization may receive only one full award. Future awards will be considered on a modified basis and may require a matching component from the grantee or third-party.
Organizations that plan to use an advertising agency during the plan year are ineligible.

Funding Priorities

Preference will be given to organizations that address the needs of low-income and marginalized populations, provide services to underserved populations, have a demonstrated commitment to community service, and are not already actively engaged in similar marketing program.
Preference for organizations in good standing with the Better Business Bureau and/or with no unresolved complaints with the Better Business or Kentucky Department of Consumer Protection.
Decisions will be made on the basis of need.

Requested Information

All information submitted will remain confidential and will only be used for the purpose of reviewing and selecting recipients.

Applicants will be required to submit legal business name, Tax ID number, address(es), phone, email, business category, number of employees, gross annual revenue, etc.
Applicants must submit a written narrative describing why their business meets the mission, goals, and priorities of this program.

Review Process

Requests will be reviewed by a special committee comprised of community leaders and WUKY staff.
A personal interview with the applicant will be required before the award is made. A second round of interviews may be conducted should revised or additional information be introduced during the personal interview.
Successful applicants will receive notification of acceptance on an award date to be determined.
Recipients will be required to submit a final report on the results of the marketing campaign with metrics to be determined specific to individual campaign goals.
Data should be collected before the marketing campaign to compare with data after the marketing campaign has completed.

Award Fulfillment

Recipients will receive a letter stating the amount of the in-kind award, the award date, and other documentation as needed. The fulfillment process will generally follow the steps below:

An initial marketing consultation will be conducted with the recipient and WUKY to determine the timing and general goals of the campaign
WUKY will then provide a marketing plan to the recipient. The plan will state clearly how the award value will be applied to the elements of the campaign. Recipient may request a modification to the plan. While not guaranteed, a reasonable effort will be made by WUKY to accommodate modifications.
WUKY will write and produce all audio and digital elements to be used in the marketing campaign. Spots to be aired on WUKY and its HD channels must comply with all FCC and station rules regarding underwriting credit announcements.
Recipient will approve all materials that are produced and be solely responsible for the accuracy of all information provided to WUKY.
WUKY will begin airing and running the marketing campaign on the designated platforms which could include one or more of the following: WUKY 91.3 FM, WUKY's HD broadcast channels, WUKY.org, WUKY web streams, the WUKY phone app, and email.
Recipient will receive periodic performance reports on the marketing plan from WUKY.
Near the end of the campaign, WUKY and the recipient will meet to review the performance and effectiveness of the campaign.
Once the designated marketing plan has concluded, WUKY will be under no obligation to provide additional marketing campaigns connected to the award.

Applications are closed.

About 91.3 WUKY

WUKY is Lexington's NPR station and the radio voice of the University of Kentucky. At 91.3 FM we broadcast a comprehensive schedule of news, music and entertainment programming, In addition our subsidiary HD channels offer BBC News and classical music 24/7. The WUKY local news team has received numerous awards from the Kentucky Associated Press and Kentucky Broadcasters Association as well as a 2021 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award. Our website, WUKY.org, provides continuously updated local and national news to nearly a quarter million unique visitors annually.

Mission

Through news, music, and stories crafted for a culturally open-minded community, 91.3 WUKY is a catalyst for creating a better, more inclusive and engaged audience in Lexington and Central Kentucky.

Values

Provide an extraordinary work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity.
Embrace Diversity, Equity & Inclusion as an essential component of every activity.
Apply the highest standards of excellence to WUKY’s work.
Foster an enthusiastically satisfied audience.
Contribute positively to the WUKY community and the environment.
Advance the mission of the University of Kentucky.
Leverage existing and emerging technologies to maximize service to the people of Central Kentucky.

Vision

Become the region's premier source for local, national, global news and music discovery.