WMNF 88.5 FM

What WMNF 88.5 FM does

WMNF 88.5 FM is a nonprofit community radio station headquartered at 1210 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd in Tampa, Florida, operating under The Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Founded in September 1979 as Florida's first community radio station, WMNF broadcasts a volunteer-powered, listener-supported, commercial-free programming lineup that spans independent music (rock, folk, jazz, Latin, world), local and Florida news, public affairs, and community reporting. The station serves the Tampa Bay metropolitan area as its primary over-the-air audience, with documented intent to provide "a diversity of voices committed to a more just and sustainable world."

The station's core technical asset is an FCC-licensed 88.5 MHz FM signal operating across four HD Radio channels: the main HD1 broadcast, The Urban Cafe (HD2), The Source (HD3), and Radio Collective (HD4). Distribution is extended through native iOS and Android mobile applications, web streaming via wmnf.org/listen, smart speaker integration, and on-demand podcasts distributed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/iTunes, and TuneIn. Sub-brands include The Scoop (a daily news digest), The Rhythm Revival (music programming), the Circle of Friends membership program, and a Song of the Day feature. Programming is supplemented by a Concert Calendar, local event listings, and a news blog covering Florida public affairs, hurricane coverage, and community issues.

WMNF's revenue model is diversified across listener donations, recurring Circle of Friends memberships, underwriting and sponsorship from local businesses and nonprofits, planned giving and an endowment program, studio rental, and alternative gifts such as car and property donations. There is no published pricing or public membership tier structure; support is voluntary and donor-driven. Governance is exercised by a Board of Directors with committee chairs covering Development, Diversity & Inclusion, Personnel, Volunteer, Bylaws, Finance & Audit, Technology, and Long Range Planning, alongside a Community Advisory Board. The station is operationally active, holds FCC and ADA compliance certifications, and reports GDPR-compliant privacy practices.

Name

WMNF 88.5 FM

Legal name

The Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://wmnf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WMNF 88.5 FM is a volunteer-powered, listener-supported nonprofit community radio station in Tampa, Florida, broadcasting since 1979 across four HD Radio channels, mobile apps, web streaming, and podcasts to serve the Tampa Bay area.

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)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Community Local Stations (PBS Member Stations, Community Radio, LPFM) (MPABACAG), News Talk Radio & Current Affairs Stations (MPABAIAI), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• Listener-supported radio
• Independent music programming
• Public affairs news
• Nonprofit media

Headquarters

HQ city

Tampa

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: Direct financial contributions from listeners, the primary funding source for the station's operations.
2. Circle of Friends Membership: Annual membership program offering various benefits to supporters.
3. Underwriting and Sponsorship: Local businesses and organizations can support programming through underwriting announcements, distinct from traditional advertising given the commercial-free format.
4. Planned Giving and Endowment: Long-term giving programs including estate gifts and endowment contributions.
5. Studio Rental: Rental of WMNF's broadcast studios to community members and organizations.
6. Car and Property Donations: Accepts vehicle and real estate donations as alternative giving options.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

WMNF 88.5 FM is a volunteer-powered, listener-supported, commercial-free community radio station serving the Tampa Bay area. The station broadcasts on 88.5 FM (HD1) with three additional HD Radio subchannels (The Urban Cafe HD2, The Source HD3, Radio Collective HD4), complemented by podcasts, mobile apps, web streaming, and smart speaker access. Programming spans independent music across multiple genres, local and Florida news, public affairs, and community events coverage.

Product overview

WMNF 88.5 FM is a community radio station operating as a single, unified platform for listener-supported, volunteer-powered, commercial-free radio broadcasting. The station's core product is its FM radio broadcast on 88.5 MHz (HD1), supplemented by four HD Radio subchannels (HD2-HD4) offering additional programming. The station extends its reach through digital products including WMNF Podcasts distributed via Spotify, iTunes, and TuneIn; a native mobile app for iOS and Android; and The Scoop daily news digest. Additional offerings include music programming (The Rhythm Revival, Song of the Day), news and public affairs coverage, events calendars, and listener membership programs. The station operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under The Nathan B. Stubblefield Foundation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Rhythm Revival: A radio program hosted by Reverend Billy C. Wirtz
• The Scoop
• Circle of Friends

Products and services

• 88.5 FM Radio Broadcast (HD1)
• HD Radio Subchannels (HD2, HD3, HD4)

Quantifiable outcome

• First community radio station in Florida, broadcasting since 1979

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FPREN (Florida Public Radio Emergency Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWMNF participates in FPREN for weather and emergency alerts, providing Florida temperature records and extreme weather coverage to listeners.
• Apple App StorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWMNF's mobile application is distributed through Apple's App Store for iOS devices.
• Google Play StorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWMNF's Android mobile application is distributed through Google Play Store.
• SpotifyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWMNF podcasts are available on Spotify for on-demand listening.
• TuneInminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWMNF programming is available through TuneIn audio streaming platform.
• Venezuela USA FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit partner serving as a donation collection site for Venezuela earthquake relief efforts organized by the Tampa Bay Venezuelan community.
• Boricuas de CorazónminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit organization serving as a community donation collection site for humanitarian relief efforts.
• Arepas MaítaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business operating as a donation collection site for Venezuela earthquake relief at Tampa and Clearwater locations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WXPN: Philadelphia-based public radio station with a strong focus on independent music discovery, listener-funded operations, and multi-channel distribution analogous to WMNF's HD subchannel strategy.
• Pacifica Radio: Listener-supported nonprofit radio network (KPFK, KPFA, WPFW, WBAI, KPFT) with community-volunteer programming and progressive mission similar to WMNF's community-conscious approach.
• WYCE: Grand Rapids community radio station with a comparable noncommercial, volunteer-driven model, independent music programming, and local underwriting/donation revenue structure.
• KCRW: Santa Monica-based public radio station combining music, news, and culture programming with strong digital streaming, podcast distribution, and member-supported funding closely parallel to WMNF's model.
• WFMU: Long-running freeform, volunteer-driven, listener-supported community radio station in New Jersey with comparable noncommercial format, marathon fundraising model, and eclectic independent programming philosophy.
• KEXP: Seattle-based listener-supported community/independent radio station with similar nonprofit mission, volunteer/DJ programming model, multi-platform distribution, and emphasis on music discovery and local culture — making it the closest functional analog to WMNF.
• KBOO: Portland-based community radio station operating as a volunteer-powered, listener-supported nonprofit with similar progressive/community-focused programming and grassroots fundraising approach.

Broad incumbents

• WAMU: Washington DC public radio station (NPR affiliate) operating at significantly larger scale with similar news/talk and music programming — useful as a scaled-up analog showing the upside trajectory for listener-supported radio.
• KUT: Austin-based NPR member station with comparable mix of news, music, and community programming funded through listener memberships, underwriting, and events — illustrating a larger-scale version of WMNF's structure.

Emerging players

• WHRB: Harvard's student-run community radio station with a volunteer-programming model and noncommercial format that mirrors WMNF's grassroots operating approach, though at a smaller scale and college-based audience.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wmnf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/wmnfnews
• Facebookfacebook.com/WMNFCommunityRadio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wmnf-community-radio
• TikToktiktok.com/@wmnf88.5

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 WMNF 88.5 FM