KRVM

What KRVM does

KRVM is a nonprofit listener-supported public radio station licensed to and operated by Eugene School District 4J in Eugene, Oregon. Founded on December 6, 1947, it was the first FM radio station in the Pacific Northwest and now broadcasts across western Oregon via six transmitters: 91.9 FM in Eugene (HD stereo), 92.1 FM in Reedsport (KSYD), 88.5 FM in Oakridge (KAVE), 90.1 FM in Florence (K211BP), 1280 AM carrying Jefferson Public Radio news/talk programming, and an HD2 secondary channel. The station also distributes via web streaming (Stereo AAC+ 96kbps and Mono MP3 64kbps), smart speakers (Alexa, Google Home), TuneIn, and student-produced podcasts on Podbean.

The station's core programming centers on an Adult Album Alternative weekday format with over 40 specialty music programs hosted by volunteer DJs, covering genres including Grateful Dead (Dead Air), local music, and diverse specialty shows. KRVM operates a Student Broadcast Program at Sheldon High School that trains area high school students in audio board operation, on-air communication, audio software, and podcast production. Specialty features include Garden Spot (OSU Extension gardening tips), Greenhill Pet of the Week, and emergency alert services for rural communities not served by commercial radio.

KRVM's revenue model is approximately 40% individual listener memberships (one-time gifts of $75-$100 and monthly sustaining memberships of $5, $10, or $20), 40% business underwriting from 70+ local businesses, and historically 20% from Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) grants—though CPB funding was eliminated for FY26 and FY27 following Congressional action. Friends of KRVM, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports operations through legacy giving, vehicle donations, and community fundraising. Management includes Station Manager Stu Grenfell, Program Coordinator Debi Starr, Development Director Jim Nelson, and underwriting representatives.

Name

KRVM

Legal name

KRVM

Website

https://krvm.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KRVM is a nonprofit listener-supported public radio station in Eugene, Oregon, founded in 1947 as the first FM broadcaster in the Pacific Northwest. It serves western Oregon communities via multiple FM/AM transmitters, web streaming, and a Student Broadcast Program, funded primarily by listener donations and local business underwriting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG), Community/Low-Power Nonprofit Radio (LPFM/Community Radio) (MPABADAE)

Keywords

• Public radio broadcasting
• Community radio
• Music programming
• Educational broadcasting
• Nonprofit media

Headquarters

HQ city

Eugene

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Listener Memberships: Individual member-donors play a crucial role in keeping KRVM on the air. Revenue split: approximately 40% of annual revenue. Includes one-time gifts and monthly sustaining memberships.
2. Business Underwriting: Underwriters are the backbone of KRVM. Underwriters support educational opportunities for students and adult volunteers, and KRVM's variety of music and entertainment. Revenue split: approximately 40% of annual revenue.
3. CPB Grants: Corporation for Public Broadcasting grants historically provided approximately 20% of annual revenue ($186,784 in FY2025). Funding eliminated for FY26 and FY27 following Congressional action to claw-back $1.1 billion in CPB funding.
4. Vehicle Donations: Vehicle donation program accepting cars, boats, trucks, motorcycles, farm equipment. Donations support KRVM operations.
5. Legacy/Bequest Gifts: Planned giving through wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations to Friends of KRVM (501(c)(3) organization)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

KRVM is a non-profit, listener-supported public radio station serving Eugene, Oregon and surrounding communities across western Oregon via a network of FM and AM frequencies. It broadcasts diverse music programming, local news, and educational content, and operates the Student Broadcast Program in partnership with its owner, Eugene School District 4J. The station is staffed largely by community volunteers and does not run traditional commercial advertising.

Product overview

KRVM is a listener-supported public radio station offering a multi-platform broadcasting operation. The core offerings include FM radio broadcasting on four frequencies across western Oregon and AM radio programming through Jefferson Public Radio. Supporting the educational mission, the station operates a Student Broadcast Program that trains high school students in radio skills, producing both on-air programming and student podcasts. The station also features specialty programs including Dead Air (Grateful Dead music), Garden Spot (gardening tips), and Greenhill Pet of the Week (animal adoption). A Local Music CD sampler showcases regional artists. All programming emphasizes 'Real Variety in Music' with Adult Album Alternative and nearly 40 specialty music programs hosted by volunteer DJs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KRVM 91.9 FM Eugene (Main Station) Primary full-power FM radio broadcast serving Eugene, Oregon with music, news, and educational programming for community listeners.
• KRVM 88.5 FM Translator (Oakridge) FM translator station rebroadcasting KRVM programming to the Oakridge community.
• KRVM 92.1 FM Translator (Reedsport) FM translator station rebroadcasting KRVM programming to the Reedsport community.
• KRVM 90.1 FM Translator (Florence) FM translator station rebroadcasting KRVM programming to the Florence community.
• KRVM AM 1280 Eugene AM broadcast signal providing additional coverage of KRVM programming in the Eugene area.
• KRVM Student Broadcast Program Educational program providing local students with hands-on radio broadcasting experience, operated in partnership with Eugene School District 4J.

Quantifiable outcome

• Broadcast coverage from south of Cottage Grove to north of Corvallis
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Eugene School District 4JcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKRVM is licensed to and owned by Eugene School District 4J. The station operates an instructional and broadcast studio at Sheldon High School. Students from any area school can participate in broadcast training. District provides governance and licensing; station operates independently with no funds from 4J general budget.
• Jefferson Public Radio (JPR)coreTechnology or IntegrationKRVM AM 1280 carries the News and Information service from Jefferson Public Radio, a service of Southern Oregon University. Programming includes Here and Now, The Takeaway, and The Jefferson Exchange. JPR broadcasts programming not available via commercial media.
• Oregon Cultural TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of KRVM is a member of the Oregon Cultural Trust. Donors can double the power of their dollars by donating to both the Oregon Cultural Trust and Friends of KRVM, supporting arts and cultural organizations throughout Oregon.
• Friends of KRVMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFriends of KRVM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose sole mission is supporting KRVM operations. Manages legacy giving program, vehicle donations, and promotes the station in the community. Board includes Jim Nelson.
• Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB)coreOthersCPB historically provided approximately 20% of KRVM's annual revenue ($186,784 in FY2025). Federal grants administered by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting since 1967. Funding eliminated for FY26 and FY27 following Congressional action.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KLCC: KLCC is a listener-supported public radio station based in Eugene, Oregon, serving the same Lane County market as KRVM with a similar jazz/AAA/news blend. It is the most directly comparable local peer, competing for both listeners and underwriter dollars in the Eugene region.
• KEXP: KEXP is a Seattle-based noncommercial public radio station famous for its Adult Album Alternative format and deep specialty programming hosted by volunteer DJs. Closely aligned with KRVM in programming philosophy, listener-supported model, and digital streaming prominence.
• KCRW: KCRW is a Santa Monica-based noncommercial public radio station known for eclectic music programming and a strong digital presence. Comparable to KRVM through its listener-supported model, volunteer-driven specialty shows, and signature AAA/indie format.
• WXPN: WXPN is a University of Pennsylvania-affiliated public radio station in Philadelphia that pioneered the Adult Album Alternative format. Highly comparable to KRVM in format identity, educational affiliation, and volunteer-driven programming culture.
• KBOO: KBOO is a Portland-based listener-supported community radio station with volunteer DJs and eclectic programming. Directly comparable to KRVM as an Oregon-based noncommercial community station with a similar grassroots operational model.
• WFMU: WFMU is a New Jersey-based independent freeform community radio station with an all-volunteer DJ staff and listener-supported funding model. Highly comparable to KRVM's specialty programming depth and grassroots nonprofit structure.
• WERS: WERS is Emerson College's noncommercial public radio station in Boston, comparable to KRVM through its educational affiliation, music-forward public radio programming, and student-staffed operational model with volunteer DJs.

Regional players

• Jefferson Public Radio: Jefferson Public Radio (JPR) is a Southern Oregon University-affiliated public radio network that provides news/talk programming carried on KRVM AM 1280. Operates as a peer and content partner serving overlapping but distinct southern Oregon audiences.
• KMHD: KMHD is a Portland-based jazz public radio station operated by Mt. Hood Community College. Comparable to KRVM as a Pacific Northwest public radio station with a music-focused format and educational institutional affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• Oregon Public Broadcasting: OPB is Oregon's statewide public broadcasting network serving the same general audience as KRVM with a broader news, talk, and cultural programming mandate. Comparable as a regional incumbent that competes for listener donations and CPB resources across the state.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/krvm91.9
• Xx.com/91krvm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/krvm

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 KRVM