KWMR

What KWMR does

KWMR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community radio station serving rural West Marin, California. Founded in 1995 and broadcasting continuously since May 2, 1999, the station transmits on three low-power FM frequencies — 90.5 FM (Point Reyes Station), 89.9 FM (Bolinas), and 92.3 FM (San Geronimo Valley) — via a 320-watt transmitter, reaching approximately 14,000 residents across seven rural towns. KWMR is also distributed via Horizon Cable TV Channel 47, iOS/Android mobile apps, TuneIn/Alexa smart speakers, web streaming, and SMS emergency alerts. Programming is created by roughly 100 volunteer DJs and supplemented by a small paid staff of one full-time and six part-time employees led by Executive Director Amanda Eichstaedt and co-founder/chief operator Richard Dillman.

The station's core technical platform combines an FM broadcast infrastructure with backup generator ("Hot Juice") for emergency continuity, Spinitron for scheduling and archives, MessageStationMaker for SMS emergency alerts, QGiv for donations, and Shopify for merchandise. Core products are the radio broadcast itself, the mobile app, the Emergency Alert System partnered with the Marin County Office of Emergency Services, and the Youth DJ Project. The station functions as critical public-safety infrastructure during wildfires, floods, and power outages, having broadcast updates every 30 minutes during the 2020 Woodward Fire to 14,000 residents — a role validated by LA Times and NY Times coverage.

KWMR's revenue model is listener-supported: roughly 80% of an annual budget of approximately $340,000 comes from listener memberships and donations, with the balance from underwriting/sponsorships (local businesses and nonprofits), vehicle donations, appreciated stock gifts, and the Megahertz Club legacy giving program. The station previously received Corporation for Public Broadcasting Community Service Grants but lost this federal funding in 2025 when Congress rescinded CPB support. Customer segments span West Marin residents (emergency alerts, local news), local nonprofits (free PSA airtime), music and culture enthusiasts (eclectic, multilingual programming), Spanish-speaking community members, and emergency preparedness stakeholders. Distribution emphasizes redundancy so the signal remains accessible when internet and cell service fail.

Name

KWMR

Legal name

KWMR, Inc.

Website

https://kwmr.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KWMR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community radio station broadcasting on three FM frequencies across rural West Marin, California, serving roughly 14,000 residents with local news, music, multilingual programming, and emergency alerts during disasters. Revenue is primarily listener donations funding a ~$340K annual budget.

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

Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Emergency alert services
• Nonprofit radio station
• Local FM broadcasting
• Listener-supported radio

Headquarters

HQ city

Point Reyes Station

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations/Membership: Primary revenue source - listener members contribute financially to support the station. Budget of $340,000 with 80% supported by listener members.
2. Underwriting/Sponsorships: Local businesses and nonprofits sponsor the station at various levels (Booster Sponsors, Community Sponsors) in exchange for on-air recognition
3. Vehicle Donations: Accepts car, boat, truck donations anywhere in the US with free pickup. Generates revenue from sale of vehicles.
4. Stock Donations: Accepts appreciated stock; sells immediately upon receipt. Provides donors tax deduction for full value while avoiding capital gains.
5. Megahertz Club (Estate Planning): Legacy giving program where supporters include KWMR in their estate plans to ensure long-term sustainability
6. Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB): Previously received federal funding through Community Service Grants; lost federal funding when Congress voted to rescind CPB funding

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KWMR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community radio station broadcasting 24/7 local news, emergency alerts, music programming, and public affairs content over three FM frequencies (90.5, 89.9, 92.3 MHz) across West Marin, California. Programming is produced by approximately 100 volunteer programmers and complemented by live streaming, a mobile app, smart speaker access, and a text-based emergency alert system used in partnership with the Marin County Office of Emergency Services.

Product overview

KWMR operates as a unified community radio platform offering broadcast radio programming across three FM frequencies (90.5 FM Point Reyes Station, 89.9 FM Bolinas, 92.3 FM San Geronimo Valley), live streaming via its website and mobile apps, and emergency alert services. The core product is the community radio station itself, supplemented by a mobile application for on-the-go listening, an emergency alert text system for public safety, and youth programming initiatives including the Youth DJ Project. All programming is created by approximately 100 volunteer programmers and distributed across FM broadcast, web streaming, smart speaker platforms (TuneIn/Alexa), cable TV (Horizon Cable Channel 47), and a mobile app.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KWMR Community Radio KWMR Community Radio is a nonprofit, listener-supported radio station broadcasting from West Marin, California, providing local news, emergency alerts, music programming, and public affairs content across three FM frequencies (90.5, 89.9, 92.3 MHz) and streaming platforms. Programming is created by approximately 100 volunteer programmers.
• KWMR Mobile App Free mobile application available for iPhone and Android enabling users to listen to live KWMR broadcasts, access on-demand content, and receive emergency alerts. Available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
• Emergency Alert System Text-based emergency alert system for West Marin communities providing real-time notifications during disasters, fires, floods, power outages, and other emergencies. Integrates with county emergency management systems via MessageStationMaker.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,000 people served across 7 rural towns during Woodward Fire 2020
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Palace MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal grocery store sponsoring KWMR as Signal Sponsor. Provides financial support in exchange for on-air recognition.
• Marin ArtsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerArts organization sponsoring KWMR as Signal Sponsor. Supports local arts programming visibility.
• Horizon CablecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides cable TV channel 47 broadcasting KWMR audio 24/7 to subscribers in West Marin communities. Alternative listening method during power outages.
• West Marin Nonprofits CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined fellow West Marin nonprofits in Summer 2022 to voice support for equity initiatives. Collaborates on community programs and shared advocacy.
• Marin County Office of Emergency ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical partnership for emergency broadcasts. KWMR serves as vital link for emergency alerts, evacuation warnings, and public safety information during disasters.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• KQED: Bay Area NPR member station and public broadcaster, far larger and more established than KWMR. Comparable as a Northern California public/community broadcaster but operates at much greater scale, serving as a broad incumbent rather than a direct rural peer.
• KEXP: Seattle-based public/alternative music radio station known for eclectic programming and strong digital streaming presence. Comparable in community-oriented, listener-supported broadcasting with a strong focus on music and multi-platform distribution.
• KPCC / LAist: Southern California Public Radio and its digital platform LAist, a major NPR member station. Comparable as a California public broadcaster focused on local journalism and emergency information, though operating at much greater scale and resources than KWMR.

Direct peers

• WFMU: Long-running freeform community radio station in Jersey City, NJ, known for volunteer DJs and eclectic programming. Comparable as a community nonprofit radio station with volunteer programmers and listener-supported funding model.
• KZYX & Z Broadcasting: Mendocino County community radio station operating multiple low-power FM frequencies in a rural Northern California setting. Closest peer to KWMR in terms of low-power FM infrastructure, volunteer-programmer model, rural audience, and listener-supported nonprofit structure.

Regional players

• KPFA: Listener-supported community radio station in Berkeley, California, part of the Pacifica Network. Most directly comparable as a Northern California nonprofit/community radio operation serving the Bay Area with volunteer-driven programming and a similar listener-funded model.
• KRCB (KRCB-FM): Northern California Public Media, broadcasting from Rohnert Park in Sonoma County, serving a similar rural/suburban audience to KWMR. Comparable as a Northern California public/community broadcaster with overlapping geographic reach into Petaluma and Sonoma, the same areas KWMR's signal covers.
• KPOO: San Francisco-based listener-supported community radio station with diverse programming and volunteer DJs. Comparable as a Bay Area community nonprofit radio with similar multilingual and multicultural programming emphasis.
• KKUP: Community radio station in Cupertino, California, operating as a listener-supported nonprofit with volunteer programmers. Comparable as a Northern California low-power community radio operation with a similar volunteer-driven model.
• KALW: San Francisco public radio station operated by the San Francisco Unified School District, offering local news and music programming. Comparable as a Bay Area nonprofit/community broadcaster with a similar mix of news, music, and local programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KWMRradio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCMrnS8XI7l1mPK-BYJVlvGg
• Facebookfacebook.com/kwmrradio
• Instagraminstagram.com/kwmrradio
• TikToktiktok.com/@kwmrradio

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 KWMR