XRAY.FM
XRAY.FM is a community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit radio station in Portland, Oregon. It broadcasts freeform programming on three FM frequencies and via online streaming and a mobile app, powered by 80+ volunteer DJs and supported by member donations, underwriting, and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPortland, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What XRAY.FM does
XRAY.FM, operated by the legal entity Cascade Educational Broadcast Service, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community radio station founded March 15, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. It broadcasts freeform, locally programmed content 24/7 on three FM frequencies — KXRY 91.1 and 107.1 FM in Portland and KXRY 91.7 FM in Nehalem on the Oregon Coast — supplemented by global online streaming and a native iOS/Android mobile application. More than 120 hours of weekly programming are produced by 80+ volunteer DJs drawn from Portland's musician, promoter, label, and community ranks, with approximately 150 weekly volunteers supporting operations and a small paid staff of roughly two full-time roles (Station Director Chase Spross; Finance & Admin Manager Travis Cooper). Supporting products include on-demand show archives, a searchable playlist database, a Gear Library, a music submission pipeline, studio rental, events programming, merchandise, and an event-calendar listing service.
The station is funded through a diversified donation and grant stack: monthly/annual memberships at $10/month or $120/year (with a $5/month or $60/year discounted rate for students, seniors, and low-income members), one-time individual donations including a "Big Move" capital campaign with a $55,000 goal, corporate underwriting, foundation and government grants (including the Regional Arts and Culture Council), and planned-giving vehicles. Its go-to-market is community-led and grassroots — volunteer referrals, social media (Instagram), email newsletter, partnerships with local venues and nonprofits (MusicPortland, Hollywood Theatre, Crystal Ballroom, Albina Music Trust, Friends of Noise, MetroEast Community Media, Street Roots, and others), and bi-annual on-air pledge drives — and its primary customer/audience is the Portland metro community, with secondary coverage on the Oregon Coast and via the KXRW Vancouver partnership.
Strategically, XRAY.FM is in a capacity-expansion phase: it filed an FCC assignment application in December 2024 to consolidate the K296FT 107.1 MHz translator, and in 2026 it is relocating to a new accessible arts and civics hub in Southeast Portland in partnership with Kickstand Comedy, a move designed to add larger studios, live-performance space, video production, and expanded streaming capability. The station has been recognized as Willamette Week's Best Radio Station in Portland five times between 2015 and 2019, anchoring its brand position in the local media landscape.
XRAY.FM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- XRAY.FM
- Legal name
- Cascade Educational Broadcast Service
- Website
- https://xray.fm
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- XRAY.FM is a community-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit radio station in Portland, Oregon. It broadcasts freeform programming on three FM frequencies and via online streaming and a mobile app, powered by 80+ volunteer DJs and supported by member donations, underwriting, and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
XRAY.FM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Radio Broadcasting
- NAICS
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)
- SIC
- Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)
Keywords
Where XRAY.FM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Portland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
XRAY.FM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Membership Donations: Monthly donations of $10+ or one-time annual donations of $120+ for general membership; discounted student/senior/starving artist membership at $5/month or $60/year. Monthly giving enables planning for future investments with confidence.
- Individual Donations & Capital Campaign: One-time donations and capital campaign funds for studio relocation. Donations fund construction, equipment, and materials for the move to new SE Portland headquarters.
- Sponsorship & Underwriting: Corporate underwriting and sponsorship packages available, with interest form and contact at [email protected].
- Foundation & Government Grants: Support from foundations, private donors, and public funding. Regional Arts and Culture Council grant mentioned for gear library.
- Planned Giving: Bequests and estate planning opportunities for donors, including charitable gift annuities, pooled income funds, and retirement assets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard membership with monthly or annual donation |
| Subscription | Annual | Standard annual membership |
| Subscription | Monthly | Discounted membership for students, seniors, and starving artists |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
XRAY.FM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
XRAY.FM operates a non-commercial community radio station broadcasting progressive talk and music programming 24/7 across three FM frequencies (KXRY 91.1 FM and 107.1 FM in Portland, and KXRY 91.7 FM in Nehalem on the Oregon Coast) and streaming online globally. The station produces 120+ hours of weekly programming curated by 80+ volunteer DJs and supports its operations through membership donations, corporate underwriting, foundation grants, and planned giving. Supporting services include a public audio equipment lending library (Gear Library), sliding-scale studio rentals, community events programming, on-demand show archives, a searchable track playlist database, and a merchandise store.
Product overview
XRAY.FM is a non-commercial community radio station operating as a unified platform offering FM broadcast radio across three frequencies (91.1 FM, 107.1 FM, and 91.7 FM in Nehalem), global online streaming, and a mobile application. The station produces over 120 hours of weekly programming through 80+ volunteer DJs featuring diverse music genres and talk content. Supporting services include on-demand show archives, a track playlist database, membership programs, studio rental, an equipment lending library (Gear Library), volunteer opportunities, merchandise sales, and community event programming including concert promotion and calendar listings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- KXRY 91.1 FM Primary FM broadcast frequency originating from East Portland, broadcasting freeform community radio programming 24/7 featuring music, talk, and local content curated by volunteer DJs.
- KXRY 107.1 FM Secondary FM broadcast frequency serving the Portland metro area, providing expanded signal coverage for XRAY.FM's community radio programming.
- KXRY 91.7 FM (Nehalem) FM broadcast frequency serving the Oregon Coast community of Nehalem, extending XRAY.FM's community radio programming beyond the Portland metro area.
- Online Streaming
Companies that use XRAY.FM
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
XRAY.FM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
XRAY.FM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Kickstand ComedycoreXRAY's new headquarters will be located in partnership with Kickstand Comedy at the corner of SE10th and Hawthorne in Southeast Portland. The partnership enables XRAY to move into a new accessible arts & civics hub.
- MetroEast Community MediaminorGresham-based organization providing community media access through equipment and affordable training for video expression. Listed as XRAY partner.
- MusicPortlandminorGrassroots trade association and advocacy group for Portland's music economy, drawing members from musicians to venues, creating economic opportunity.
- Laurelhurst TheaterminorHistoric Portland theater opened in 1923, celebrating 12th year as theater and pub. Community partner supporting XRAY.
- Friends of NoiseminorNonprofit providing safer all-ages concert spaces, arts education, and leadership opportunities for youth. Has weekly show on XRAY Mondays at 2pm.
- Crystal BallroomminorHistoric Portland concert hall over a century old with diverse musical legacy.
- HARKA ArchitectureminorArchitecture firm focused on low carbon footprint spaces and environmentally responsible design.
- KXRW VancouvercoreLaunched in 2017 in partnership with XRAY. Independent, volunteer-run, community-supported station serving local voices in Clark County. Broadcasts on 99.9 FM in Vancouver, WA and online at kxrw.fm.
- Street RootsminorNonprofit creating income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness through newspaper and media production. Collaborative radio project with XRAY.
- Hollywood TheatreminorHistoric Portland theater undergoing renovation and improvement since 1926.
- Albina Music TrustminorPreserving North Portland's music culture documenting the Black community's oral history, archival media, and special events. Originally sprouting from DJ Bobby D's XRAY show Night School.
- Mississippi StudiosminorHistoric neighborhood Baptist church turned recording studio and music venue with Bar Bar attached.
- Fluff & Gravy RecordsminorFull service record label and recording studio based in Portland specializing in Indie Folk, Indie Pop, Garage Rock, Psychedelic Americana.
- Music MillenniumminorPortland record store providing extensive selection of records, tapes, and CDs since 1969. Located at 3158 E. Burnside.
- Sou'wester LodgeminorHistoric lodge and vintage travel trailer resort on Long Beach Peninsula in Seaview, Washington.
- B-LineminorUrban delivery service supporting XRAY FM and local business with zero emission delivery and warehousing.
- New Deal DistilleryminorPortland craft distillery creating small-batch spirits since 2004 in SE industrial district.
- Cascade Record PressingminorNorthwest's only vinyl record manufacturing facility serving Portland's independent recording artists and labels.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
XRAY.FM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- KEXP: Seattle-based nonprofit community radio station with a listener-supported model, volunteer DJs, and broad music programming. KEXP is the most prominent direct analogue to XRAY in the Pacific Northwest nonprofit/community-radio category.
- KBOO: Portland-based nonprofit, volunteer-powered community radio station offering freeform programming and community journalism. Operates in the same Portland media market as XRAY with a directly overlapping listener and volunteer base.
- WFMU: Long-standing listener-supported, freeform community radio station (New Jersey/New York) with volunteer DJs and a non-commercial programming model. Frequently cited benchmark for nonprofit community radio in the U.S.
- KVRX: University of Texas at Austin community radio station run primarily by student and community volunteers, broadcasting freeform music and talk programming. Comparable as a volunteer-driven, non-commercial community station.
- KALX: UC Berkeley's nonprofit community radio station with volunteer DJs and freeform programming. Closely matches XRAY's volunteer-curated, community-supported model in an academic-but-independent setting.
- WXYC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill community radio station, freeform format with volunteer programming and online streaming. Comparable scale and operational structure to XRAY.
- KFJC: Foothill College (Los Altos Hills, CA) nonprofit community radio station operated largely by volunteers with freeform music programming. Directly comparable in scale, format, and volunteer-led operations.
Broad incumbents
- KCRW: Santa Monica-based nonprofit public radio station with a much larger professional staff, broader audience, and podcast production arm. Represents the scaled-up, more commercial version of the community-radio model XRAY operates.
Others
- MetroEast Community Media: Gresham-based community media access organization providing equipment and training; also the FCC licensee whose 107.1 FM translator is being assigned to XRAY. An enabling partner/infrastructure peer rather than a direct competitor.
Emerging players
- KXRW Vancouver: Vancouver, WA community station launched in 2017 in partnership with XRAY. Directly comparable format and volunteer model, but operates in an adjacent (not overlapping) geography.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
XRAY.FM social profiles
Digital presenceXRAY.FM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
XRAY.FM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
XRAY.FM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
XRAY.FM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about XRAY.FM
What does XRAY.FM do?
XRAY.FM operates a non-commercial community radio station broadcasting progressive talk and music programming 24/7 across three FM frequencies (KXRY 91.1 FM and 107.1 FM in Portland, and KXRY 91.7 FM in Nehalem on the Oregon Coast) and streaming online globally. The station produces 120+ hours of weekly programming curated by 80+ volunteer DJs and supports its operations through membership donations, corporate underwriting, foundation grants, and planned giving. Supporting services include a public audio equipment lending library (Gear Library), sliding-scale studio rentals, community events programming, on-demand show archives, a searchable track playlist database, and a merchandise store.
Is XRAY.FM a public or private company?
XRAY.FM is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was XRAY.FM founded?
XRAY.FM was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is XRAY.FM based?
XRAY.FM is headquartered in Portland, United States, in the North America region.
How does XRAY.FM make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Donations are the primary driver. The others are individual Donations & Capital Campaign, sponsorship & Underwriting, foundation & Government Grants and planned Giving.
Who are XRAY.FM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are KEXP, KBOO, WFMU, KVRX, KALX, WXYC and KFJC. KCRW is listed as a broad incumbent. MetroEast Community Media is listed as an others. KXRW Vancouver is listed as an emerging player.
Does XRAY.FM have an API?
No public API is recorded for XRAY.FM.
What industry is XRAY.FM in?
XRAY.FM's product category is Community Radio Broadcasting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABADAE, Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio), with a secondary code of MPAIAEAE, Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only). Its NAICS code is 516110 and its SIC code is 4832.