YES FM

What YES FM does

YES FM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian radio ministry (EIN 34-1328260) that has broadcast continuously since November 14, 1992, from its headquarters in Toledo, Ohio. It operates five FCC-licensed FM stations covering Northwest and West-Central Ohio, Southeast Michigan, and West-Central Indiana (88.5 WYSA Wauseon, 89.3 WYSZ Toledo, 89.3 WYSM Lima, 89.1 W206BX Fremont, and 97.7 WTGO-LP Lafayette), and is positioned as the longest-running station in its region with the rock, rap, EDM, pop, and worship Christian format still on air. Beyond FM, the ministry distributes content through dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps, web streaming on yeshome.com, an Amazon Alexa skill, and the iHeartRadio platform, reaching a global digital audience. The product surface has expanded beyond the main station to two sub-brand streams — YES FM Classic (classic Christian rock/rap archive format) and YES FM Worship (24/7 modern worship with a Country Church Radio daypart from 1pm–5am ET) — supported by programs including the Wake Up Call morning show, Positive Chats Podcast, Power 20 Countdown, and The Prayer Closet prayer segment.

The underlying technology is conventional broadcast infrastructure (five FM transmitters, on-air studios in Toledo and Lima) plus standard self-serve digital distribution layers; no proprietary AI or algorithmic systems are disclosed. Revenue is generated through four streams: individual tax-deductible listener donations processed via Network for Good, business underwriting and sponsorship packages ranging from $50/week to $10,000/quarter (with premium Toledo/Lima Studio tiers, day-part sponsorships, and year-end countdown packages), the Kroger Community Rewards affiliate program (Organization #IH632) where a percentage of enrolled shoppers' purchases is donated, and branded merchandise sales through a Shopify storefront. A points-based rewards program (10 points = $1, redeemable for merchandise and on-air programming requests) reinforces donor engagement.

The ministry serves three customer segments: (1) youth and families in its broadcast region seeking faith-based entertainment (primary), (2) Christian music enthusiasts across rock, rap, EDM, pop, and worship (primary), and (3) local businesses, churches, and ministries in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan seeking to reach faith-based audiences via sponsorship packages (secondary). A 9-person staff led by President/CEO Jamey Schmitz and Station Manager/COO Jeff Howe (in role since 2015) executes community outreach including concerts, school visits, church partnerships, and a Christian business directory, reinforcing both listener loyalty and underwriting demand.

Name

YES FM

Legal name

YES FM

Website

https://yeshome.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

YES FM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian radio ministry operating five FM stations across Ohio and Indiana, plus three streaming channels (main, Classic, Worship) delivered via mobile apps, Alexa, and iHeartRadio, serving youth, families, and faith-based businesses in the region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Local Religious/Faith-Based Stations (MPABACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Radio Streaming & Catch-Up Audio Platforms (MPAIADAJ), Podcast Networks & Studio Platforms (MPAIADAC), Radio Content Production & Studios (On-air Production, Imaging, Jingles) (MPAIAEAL)

Keywords

• Christian radio broadcasting
• Nonprofit FM radio
• Religious music streaming
• Worship programming
• Community radio ministry

Headquarters

HQ city

Toledo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations: Individual listeners make tax-deductible donations to support the nonprofit radio ministry. Secure donations processed through Network for Good. Matching gift programs available through employers.
2. Business Underwriting and Sponsorship: Various sponsorship packages offering on-air mentions, website banners, event sponsorships, and studio sponsorships. Pricing ranges from $50/week for basic mentions to $10,000/quarter for premium studio sponsorships.
3. Kroger Community Rewards: Listener-linked shopping program where Kroger donates a percentage of purchases to YES FM based on listener enrollment (Organization # IH632)
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including hats, shirts, mugs, and other items through online storefront

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

YES FM is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Christian radio ministry that broadcasts faith-based rock, pop, dance, and hip-hop music across five FM stations in Ohio and Indiana, supplemented by digital streaming through mobile apps, web, Alexa skill, and iHeartRadio. The station operates three streams — YES FM, YES FM Classic, and YES FM Worship — and produces original programming including the Wake Up Call morning show, Positive Chats Podcast, Power 20 Countdown, and The Prayer Closet.

Product overview

YES FM is a Christian radio ministry operating as a unified multi-stream platform consisting of the main YES FM station, YES FM Classic (classic Christian music), and YES FM Worship (modern worship). The station reaches listeners across Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan through FM broadcasts, dedicated mobile applications for iOS and Android, Amazon Alexa voice integration, and iHeartRadio streaming. Programming includes the Wake Up Call morning show, Positive Chats Podcast, Power 20 Countdown, and The Prayer Closet, supported by a listener rewards program.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KrogercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKroger Community Rewards program allows shoppers to link their Kroger cards to YES FM, with a percentage of purchases donated to the station (Organization # IH632). This provides ongoing passive funding based on listener shopping behavior.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• K-LOVE: K-LOVE is one of the largest contemporary Christian music radio networks in the U.S., broadcasting on hundreds of FM stations and streaming digitally. It directly competes with YES FM for the same faith-based contemporary Christian audience with overlapping music formats.
• Air1: Air1 is a sister network to K-LOVE under Educational Media Foundation, broadcasting contemporary Christian music with rock/pop/hip-hop crossover formats. It targets the same youth and family demographic as YES FM and competes for digital listenership.
• WAY-FM Media Group: WAY-FM operates a network of contemporary Christian music radio stations across multiple U.S. markets. It serves a similar faith-based audience with comparable music programming and listener-supported funding model.
• Bott Radio Network: Bott Radio Network is one of the largest Christian radio networks in the U.S., operating dozens of FM stations nationwide with Christian teaching and music programming. It overlaps with YES FM's faith-based radio model and listener-supported ministry positioning.
• Spirit FM (WLVF): Spirit FM is a regional Christian radio station operating in Central Florida with contemporary Christian music and community programming. It shares YES FM's local-station model, listener-supported funding, and faith-based community outreach approach.
• His Radio: His Radio is a network of contemporary Christian music stations in the Southeastern U.S. with a similar youth/family focus, music curation, and local community engagement approach comparable to YES FM.
• Relevant Radio: Relevant Radio is a Catholic-oriented radio network with FM stations across many U.S. markets. It competes for faith-based listeners using a similar non-commercial, listener-supported operating model with regional station groups.

Broad incumbents

• Educational Media Foundation (EMF Broadcasting): EMF Broadcasting operates the K-LOVE and Air1 networks and is the largest contemporary Christian radio broadcaster in the U.S. It dwarfs YES FM in scale and competes head-on for digital listening audiences.
• Salem Communications: Salem Communications owns and operates a large portfolio of Christian and conservative talk radio stations across the U.S. It is a much larger broadcast incumbent in the same faith-based radio space where YES FM competes regionally.
• iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia is the largest commercial radio operator in the U.S. and powers the iHeartRadio platform that distributes YES FM's streams. While commercial rather than faith-based, iHeartRadio is a critical distribution partner and competes for overall listening share.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/YesFM893
• Instagraminstagram.com/yesfm893?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Xx.com/YESFM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/yes-fm-radio-ministry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 YES FM