KXCI

What KXCI does

KXCI Community Radio is a listener-supported, 501(c)(3) non-profit FM broadcaster operating on 91.3 FM from its headquarters at 220 S 4th Ave in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 1982, the station has served Tucson and Southern Arizona for over four decades with commercial-free programming that combines eclectic music mixes, syndicated independent news (notably Democracy Now!), locally produced cultural and community affairs programming, and signature annual events including the House Rockin' Blues Review benefit concert and the Baila el Pueblo Desert Music Festival. Its audience comprises general community listeners in the Tucson metro and Southern Arizona region, with a secondary global audience reached via online streaming at kxci.org and on YouTube.

The core product is the terrestrial 91.3 FM broadcast, supplemented by live audio streaming, a two-week program archive, podcast on-demand offerings (including Locals Only live sessions), and an online community event calendar. Underlying technology is conventional FM broadcast infrastructure paired with standard internet streaming, playlist tracking via Spinitron, donation processing through eTapestry, event ticketing via Eventbrite and Eventim, and Google Analytics for site measurement. There is no developer-facing API, no proprietary platform technology, and no AI/ML components.

KXCI's revenue model is diversified across three streams: (1) listener donations in recurring monthly sustainer form and one-time gifts at suggested tiers of $75-$1,000, processed via eTapestry; (2) underwriting and sponsorships from a long tail of local businesses and nonprofits (Hotel Congress, Fox Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Goodwill of Southern Arizona, Bustos Media, and others) that receive on-air recognition; and (3) event revenue from ticketed concerts and festivals. Pricing for events ranges from free to $50+, and underwriting is positioned as community support rather than traditional advertising. The organization operates with a staff of 1-10, governed by a board of directors (currently chaired by Yissel Salafsky) and supported by volunteer DJs.

Name

KXCI

Legal name

KXCI Community Radio

Website

https://kxci.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KXCI Community Radio is a listener-supported, non-profit FM broadcaster on 91.3 FM in Tucson, Arizona, serving Southern Arizona since 1982 with eclectic music, independent news, local artist programming, and community events funded by donations, underwriting, and ticketed festivals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Independent Local Radio Stations (MPABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcast
• Music programming
• Listener-supported media
• Local news coverage
• Cultural programming

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations: Community radio supported by listener donations through online donation forms and membership programs
2. Underwriting/Sponsorships: Business supporters and underwriting partners support the station in exchange for on-air recognition and promotional consideration
3. Event Revenue: Revenue generated from ticket sales at hosted concerts and events including the House Rockin' Blues Review and Baila el Pueblo festival

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KXCI is a community radio station that broadcasts commercial-free programming on 91.3 FM and streams online at kxci.org, serving Tucson and Southern Arizona with eclectic music mixes, investigative news (Democracy Now!), local artist showcases, and cultural commemorative programming. The station generates revenue through listener donations, business underwriting, and ticketed live events including the annual Baila el Pueblo festival and House Rockin' Blues Review.

Product overview

KXCI is a community radio station offering a unified portfolio of broadcast and digital audio services centered on its 91.3 FM terrestrial radio broadcast and live streaming platform. The core offering includes diverse music programming (Early Morning Music Mix, Afternoon Music Mix, Morning Music Mix, Your Morning Brew, The Home Stretch, Vinyl Frontier, and specialty shows), the syndicated Democracy Now! news magazine, and community affairs content. Digital extensions include the Locals Only program featuring Tucson musicians with live studio performances, podcast versions of programs, and live video streaming on YouTube. The station also produces signature events including the annual Baila el Pueblo Desert Music Festival, House Rockin' Blues Review benefit concert, and special programming days for Juneteenth, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, International Women's Day, and Linda Ronstadt Day. An online community event calendar extends engagement beyond radio programming.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 91.3 FM Radio Broadcast Main terrestrial radio broadcast service on 91.3 FM, broadcasting community-based programming to Tucson and Southern Arizona with eclectic music mixes, news programs, and special features.
• Live Audio Streaming Real-time online audio streaming of the radio station via kxci.org, allowing listeners worldwide to access live broadcasts.
• Democracy Now! Broadcast Investigative news magazine broadcast weekdays at noon, featuring hard-hitting reporting and cutting-edge journalism with challenging views on current events.
• Locals Only Program Weekly Monday night program (8-10pm) featuring Tucson local musicians, with the first hour highlighting upcoming local shows and the second hour featuring live in-studio performances and interviews.
• Podcast Programs On-demand podcast versions of radio programs including Research Matters, Desert Voices, Flicks with The Film Snob, Growing Native with Petey Mesquitey, How We Belong, and Olivia Bertuca.
• Baila el Pueblo Desert Music Festival Annual desert music festival celebrating the cultural diversity of the region through live performances, local food vendors, and community celebration at Cathedral Square.
• House Rockin' Blues Review Benefit Concert Annual benefit concert showcasing blues musicians, supporting KXCI's community radio operations.
• Community Event Calendar Online calendar listing community events, concert listings, film events, lectures, and other local activities in the Tucson area.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13th Annual House Rockin' Blues Review Benefit Concert
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Baila el Pueblo Festival SponsorscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 April 2026Sponsors making possible the 2nd Annual Baila el Pueblo Desert Music Festival celebrating cultural diversity of the region through live performances
• Sky Island AllianceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Berwick Himes InsuranceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Goodwill of Southern ArizonaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Hotel CongressminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Fox TheatreminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter and event partner for concerts and performances at Fox Theatre venue
• Zapp City StudiosminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Arizona Theatre CompanyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Mona's Danish BakeryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• ZINBURGERminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Spadefoot NurseryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• Bustos MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness supporter listed on KXCI website as part of the Business Supporters section
• SpinitroncoreTechnology or IntegrationMusic playlist tracking and archive system used by KXCI to maintain program archives and track music played on-air. Listeners access playlists through Spinitron integration.
• Democracy Now!coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational independent news program broadcast weekdays 12pm-1pm providing investigative journalism and alternative news coverage to KXCI listeners

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• WNYC: Major New York public radio station with news and music programming, podcast distribution, and large-scale fundraising capacity. Comparable in broadcasting Democracy Now! and operating listener-supported programming, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• NPR: National non-profit media organization producing news, talk, and cultural programming distributed through member stations including community broadcasters like KXCI. Comparable as the broader umbrella for the public/community radio ecosystem in which KXCI operates.
• Spotify: Global audio streaming platform competing for listener attention across music, podcasts, and live content. Relevant as a broader incumbent shaping audience behavior and donor/listener acquisition for community radio operators.

Direct peers

• WXPN: Philadelphia-based listener-supported non-commercial adult album alternative radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania. Comparable music-first community programming model with live sessions and member-supported funding.
• WFMU: New Jersey-based listener-supported independent freeform community radio station with eclectic programming, volunteer DJs, and online streaming. Comparable as a non-commercial, volunteer-driven community broadcaster.
• The Current (KCMP): Minnesota Public Radio's listener-supported adult album alternative station based in Saint Paul, featuring eclectic music, local artist showcases, and live sessions. Comparable mission and audience profile.
• KEXP: Seattle-based listener-supported non-commercial community radio station with eclectic music programming, online streaming, and strong cultural event programming. Most directly comparable peer given similar mission, funding model, and digital distribution strategy.
• KCRW: Santa Monica-based non-commercial community radio station with eclectic music programming, news (including Democracy Now!), live events, and podcast distribution. Directly comparable as an independent listener-supported station with national digital reach.
• KUT 90.5: Austin-based public radio station operated by the University of Texas with eclectic music programming, news, and community engagement events. Comparable as a non-commercial, listener-supported station serving a similar mid-sized southwestern market.

Regional players

• KJZZ (Phoenix): Public radio station serving Phoenix and central Arizona with news, jazz, and music programming. Regional peer operating in the same state with overlapping audience reach in Arizona but serving the larger Phoenix market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KXCIvideo/streams
• Xx.com/greatmusic
• Facebookfacebook.com/kxcitucson
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kxci-community-radio-91.3-fm

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KXCI