Ave Maria Radio

What Ave Maria Radio does

Ave Maria Radio is a listener-supported Catholic radio ministry operated by Ave Maria Communications, a Michigan-based nonprofit (EIN 38-3263675) founded in 1996. It broadcasts across a network of FCC-licensed AM and FM stations — including 990 AM WDEO (Metro Detroit), 1440 AM WMAX (Mid-Michigan), 105.9 FM, 105.5 FM, 107.9 FM, and 1390 AM WLCM in Michigan — alongside Annunciation Radio, a wholly-owned Ohio subsidiary founded in 2006 operating five FM stations covering Toledo, Bowling Green, Sandusky, Mansfield, Willard, and Bryan. The organization's core offering is original Catholic talk, devotional, and faith-formation programming featuring recognized Catholic speakers and clergy, delivered via terrestrial radio, a mobile app, and 14+ Substack publication archives.

The organization monetizes through diversified revenue streams: listener donations (one-time, recurring, stock, vehicle, and legacy gifts), customized advertising and underwriting packages (developed by an in-house sales manager), tiered event sponsorships (ranging from $500 Angels to a $30,000 presenting tier), an e-commerce store selling Catholic books, DVDs, and event tickets from featured speakers, and Catholic pilgrimage programs (Mediterranean cruises from $2,499 per person to Holy Land trips at $7,699-$8,024 per person). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, with two dedicated community outreach directors serving the Archdiocese of Detroit, Diocese of Lansing, and Diocese of Saginaw, plus parish-level event partnerships across Michigan.

The business is operated by approximately 20 staff members and governed by an 8-member board that includes senior figures from the broader Catholic media ecosystem (notably Doug Keck, President Emeritus of EWTN Global Catholic Network). Operations are headquartered at One Ave Maria Drive in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the 30th anniversary milestone in 2026 anchoring a multi-channel engagement strategy that spans the SENT Gala, parish-hosted events, digital newsletters, and pilgrimage travel. No external private equity, venture capital, or public-market ownership structures are disclosed.

Name

Ave Maria Radio

Legal name

Ave Maria Communications

Website

https://avemariaradio.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ave Maria Radio is a listener-supported Catholic radio ministry operating 12+ AM/FM stations across Michigan and Ohio under nonprofit Ave Maria Communications, delivering original faith-based programming via broadcast, mobile app, and digital archives to Catholic listeners and parish partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611), Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Catholic Broadcasting (MPABALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious/Faith-Based Radio Networks (MPABABAC), Religious Radio Broadcasting (MPAIAEAF), Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC)

Keywords

• Catholic radio broadcasting
• Religious media production
• Faith formation content
• Catholic pilgrimage travel
• Nonprofit radio network

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations and Contributions: As a listener-supported ministry, Ave Maria Radio relies primarily on donations from listeners. The organization accepts one-time gifts and recurring monthly donations, as well as stock donations, vehicle donations, and legacy designations in wills.
2. Advertising and Underwriting: Business partners can purchase advertising packages including on-air spots and digital engagement. Sean Breeden, General Sales Manager, develops customized Business Partner Packages for local and national businesses.
3. Event Sponsorships: The organization offers various sponsorship tiers for events like the Sent Gala, ranging from Angels ($500) to Presenting Sponsor ($30,000), with varying benefits including gala tickets, program ads, and radio exposure.
4. Product Sales: The Ave Maria Store sells books, DVDs, and event tickets from program hosts including Fr. John Riccardo, Dr. Greg & Lisa Popcak, and Dr. Ray Guarendi. Products include parenting guides, marriage resources, and faith formation materials.
5. Pilgrimage and Travel Programs: Ave Maria Travel offers Catholic pilgrimage packages including trips to Ireland, Holy Land, Fatima & Lourdes, Mediterranean cruises, Rhine River cruises, and Mackinac Island getaways. Pricing ranges from $2,499 per person for cruises to $7,699-$8,024 for Holy Land pilgrimages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Ave Maria Radio is a listener-supported Catholic radio ministry that operates two networks — Ave Maria Radio (Michigan, since 1996) and Annunciation Radio (Ohio, since 2006) — across 12+ AM/FM stations, complemented by digital streaming, a mobile app, an online Catholic media store, and curated Catholic pilgrimage travel to holy sites. Its core product is faithful Catholic talk, prayer, and teaching programming hosted by clergy and lay Catholic speakers; it monetizes the audience primarily through listener donations, on-air underwriting, event sponsorships, retail sales, and pilgrimage fees.

Product overview

Ave Maria Radio is a listener-supported Catholic radio ministry comprising two broadcast networks: Ave Maria Radio (serving Michigan since 1996) and Annunciation Radio (serving Northern Ohio since 2006). The organization delivers programming through multiple AM/FM radio stations, a mobile app, and online streaming. Its content portfolio includes original talk shows (Ave Maria in the Afternoon, The Doctor is in, Morning Offering, More 2 Life), Scripture study programs (Fire on the Earth, Unveiling the Covenants), and devotional content (Roadside Rosaries, Pray the Rosary). Complementary offerings include an e-commerce store selling Catholic books and media from featured speakers, and Catholic pilgrimage/travel services to holy sites worldwide. The organization operates as a mission-driven nonprofit communicating Catholic teaching across multiple platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ave Maria Radio: Primary Catholic radio network broadcasting in Michigan with stations including 990 AM WDEO, 1440 AM WMAX, 105.9 FM, 105.5 FM, 107.9 FM, and 1390 AM WLCM.
• Annunciation Radio

Products and services

• Ave Maria Radio Network (Michigan) Multi-station Catholic radio network broadcasting faithful Catholic talk, prayer, rosary, and faith-formation programming across multiple AM and FM signals in Michigan, plus digital streaming and mobile app access. Designed for individual Catholic listeners in Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Saginaw, Bay City, Midland, Lansing and surrounding areas seeking daily Catholic content.
• Annunciation Radio (Ohio sister network) Sister Catholic radio network operated under Ave Maria Communications and broadcast as an EWTN affiliate station, reaching listeners in Northwest and North Central Ohio. Designed for Catholic audiences in Toledo, Sandusky, Mansfield, Willard, Bryan and Bowling Green who want the same faithful programming and prayer support as Ave Maria Radio's Michigan listeners.
• Ave Maria Radio Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android that lets listeners access live Ave Maria Radio and Annunciation Radio broadcasts plus on-demand Catholic programming on smartphones and tablets. Designed for individual Catholic listeners who want on-the-go access to the network's programs outside the AM/FM coverage area.
• Ave Maria Radio Online Store E-commerce storefront selling Catholic books ($8.95–$22.99), DVDs ($19.99), and event tickets (from $10) from featured Ave Maria Radio speakers including Fr. John Riccardo, Dr. Greg & Lisa Popcak, and Dr. Ray Guarendi. Designed for Catholic listeners who want to extend the network's faith-formation content into print, video, and live events.
• Ave Maria Travel / Catholic Pilgrimages Faith-based travel service offering organized Catholic pilgrimage packages to holy sites including Ireland, the Holy Land, Fatima & Lourdes, Mediterranean cruises (e.g., the February 6–13, 2027 Good News Cruise from $2,499 per person) and Rhine River cruises, plus domestic trips such as the Mackinac Island Grand Getaway. Operated through Footprints of God Pilgrimages and Corporate Travel partners. Designed for Catholic listeners seeking guided spiritual travel led by ministry speakers like Steve Ray.
• Business Partner Advertising and Sponsorship Packages Customized on-air underwriting and event sponsorship packages for local and national businesses, developed by General Sales Manager Sean Breeden. Sponsorship tiers range from Angels ($500) through Bronze ($1,500), Silver ($2,500), Gold ($5,000), Platinum ($7,500), Diamond ($15,000) and the sold-out Presenting Sponsor tier ($30,000); the SENT Gala Presenting Sponsor tier bundles national radio exposure reaching 2.5 million households. Designed for advertisers seeking Catholic-market reach.
• Roadside Rosaries Video Series Standalone video devotional library featuring Kevin Matthews presenting all four Rosary mysteries (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful and Glorious) with guided prayer reflections, hosted on the website's video gallery. Designed for Catholic listeners who want an on-demand, visual rosary resource.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches listeners across Michigan and Northwest/North Central Ohio through 12+ radio stations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Annunciation RadiocoreOthersAnnunciation Radio operates as part of Ave Maria Communications, serving Northwest and North Central Ohio with multiple FM stations (WNOC 89.7 FM, WHRQ 88.1 FM, WFOT 89.5 FM, WSHB 90.9 FM, WRRO 89.9 FM). Dave Vacheresse serves as President of Annunciation Radio and is also on the Ave Maria Communications Board of Directors.
• EWTN Global Catholic NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAnnunciation Radio operates as an EWTN Affiliate Station. EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network) is a Catholic media network. Ave Maria Communications Board includes Doug Keck (President Emeritus, EWTN Global Catholic Network).
• Vehicles for CharityminorOthersPartnership for vehicle donation program. Ave Maria Radio receives 80% of proceeds from donated vehicles. Donors call 1-866-628-2277 or visit vehiclesforcharity.org to donate vehicles to Ave Maria Radio in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Footprints of God PilgrimagescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary travel partner for organizing Catholic pilgrimages. Ave Maria Radio promotes pilgrimages including Ireland, Holy Land, Fatima/Lourdes, Mediterranean cruises, and Rhine River cruises through this partner.
• Corporate TravelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel partner for booking pilgrimages including Mackinac Island Grand Getaway and other Catholic travel programs. Handles booking and payment processing for travel packages.
• CatholicHÔMminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner platform for Catholic content distribution. Listed on Ave Maria Radio website alongside Catholic Business Pages (catholicbusinesspages.com).
• Catholic Business PagesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner directory for Catholic businesses. Listed on Ave Maria Radio website as a community resource for listeners.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Relevant Radio: A national Catholic talk radio network operating across the U.S. with similar programming format (Catholic talk, news, devotions). Directly comparable as a listener-supported Catholic radio broadcaster competing for the same audience and advertiser pool.
• Bott Radio Network: One of the largest Christian radio networks in the U.S., operating 100+ stations with faith-based programming. Comparable as a multi-station listener-supported Christian broadcaster, though with a broader Protestant orientation.
• Sacred Heart Radio: A Catholic radio broadcaster operating stations in multiple markets, sharing the listener-supported nonprofit model and focus on Catholic programming, devotions, and community outreach.
• Immaculate Heart Radio: A Catholic radio network broadcasting in multiple U.S. markets with Catholic talk and music programming. Comparable as a regional-to-national Catholic radio operation with similar donor-supported business model.
• EWTN Radio (specific station network): The radio division of EWTN operating Catholic programming across a national affiliate network. Directly comparable as a Catholic radio broadcaster, and Ave Maria Radio is itself part of this affiliate ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• K-LOVE: One of the largest contemporary Christian music radio networks in the U.S. with hundreds of stations and a major digital streaming presence. Comparable as a multi-platform faith-based broadcaster, though focused on Protestant music versus Ave Maria's Catholic talk format.
• Salem Communications (now Salem Media Group): A publicly traded operator of Christian and conservative radio stations across the U.S. Comparable as a multi-station Christian radio operator, though Salem is significantly larger, for-profit, and broader in programming scope.
• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): The largest Christian television broadcaster in the U.S., also operating radio properties. Comparable as a major faith-based broadcaster with multi-platform distribution, though primarily Protestant and television-led.
• EWTN Global Catholic Network: The largest Catholic media network in the U.S., operating television, radio, and digital platforms globally. Ave Maria Radio's Annunciation Radio operates as an EWTN affiliate and EWTN's President Emeritus sits on Ave Maria's board, making EWTN both a distribution partner and the dominant incumbent in Catholic broadcasting.

Emerging players

• Catholic Answers: A Catholic media and apologetics organization producing radio programs, podcasts, and digital content. Comparable in content genre (Catholic teaching) and partial overlap in radio programming distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AveMariaRadio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles26 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Ave Maria Radio