KWNK Radio

What KWNK Radio does

KWNK Radio is a community radio station broadcasting on 97.7 FM in Reno, Nevada, operated under the 501(c)(3) nonprofit High Desert Radio Project Inc. and licensed by the Holland Project. Its content archive dates to 2018, and the station marked its 8th anniversary in 2025. KWNK delivers freeform, volunteer-driven programming spanning diverse music genres, spoken word, local arts coverage, and community events, serving a primarily Reno-area audience while distributing content globally via online streaming. The station's product surface includes FM broadcast, online streaming, the on-demand digital archive known as The Archive (housing 100+ shows and podcasts), a YouTube video series called KWNK Live Sessions, a curated podcast and segments library, a community events calendar, and a Venue Guide for local arts spaces.

Technical infrastructure is conventional FM radio (transmitter, antenna, tower space, broadcast interface) supplemented by web streaming, podcast hosting, and video publishing. The station enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy covering discrimination, substance use, weapons, and violence at its events, and is staffed by 1-10 employees alongside an extended volunteer contributor base of DJs and programmers.

KWNK's revenue model is a hybrid nonprofit structure combining individual membership/donations and local business underwriting. Approximately half of the operating budget is derived from sustaining members making recurring monthly or annual contributions, with a $60 minimum for one-time annual memberships and a 50/50 membership option shared with the Holland Project. The remaining budget is supported by 20+ local business underwriters, including Blue Dot Water, Chrome Coffee Works, Nevada Museum of Art, Maxwell's Barber Shop, Magpie Coffee Roasters, Great Full Gardens, and Corrigan's Lost Highway.

Name

KWNK Radio

Legal name

High Desert Radio Project Inc.

Website

https://kwnkradio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

KWNK Radio is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community radio station broadcasting on 97.7 FM in Reno, Nevada, delivering freeform music, spoken word, and local arts programming to listeners and supported by 600+ members and 20+ local business underwriters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Radio Broadcasting

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Public/Noncommercial Radio Broadcasting (NPR, Community, Campus) (MPAIAEAB), Internet Radio & Streaming Broadcast Stations (Simulcast/Online-only) (MPAIAEAE)

Keywords

• Community radio broadcasting
• FM radio transmission
• Online radio streaming
• Local arts coverage
• Podcast archive access

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno, Nevada

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Community radio is made possible through direct community support. Half of operating budget comes from sustainable members making monthly recurring contributions. One-time donations secure membership for one year at $60 minimum.
2. Business Underwriting: Local businesses become underwriters or sponsors to support community radio. Listed supporters include Blue Dot Water, Chrome Coffee Works, Corrigan's Lost Highway, Great Full Gardens, Magpie Coffee Roasters, Maxwell's Barber Shop, Nevada Museum of Art, and other local businesses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KWNK Radio operates a free-to-listen, freeform community radio station on 97.7 FM in Reno, Nevada, offering diverse music, spoken-word, local arts, and community programming. It also provides live online streaming and is supported through community memberships, one-time donations, and local-business underwriting.

Product overview

KWNK Radio operates as a community radio station platform centered around freeform radio broadcasting on 97.7 FM in Reno, Nevada. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated by the Holland Project. The core product consists of AM/FM radio broadcasting supplemented by online streaming capabilities. Supporting products include The Archive for on-demand content access, over 100 unique radio shows and podcasts covering music genres and spoken word content, a Podcasts and Segments section featuring curated programs, a Venue Guide for local music spaces, KWNK Live Sessions video content, and a Community Events Calendar. The organization monetizes through a membership and donation program offering sustaining memberships and one-time donation options with member perks. The station does not operate as a traditional SaaS product with APIs or technical integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• KWNK 97.7 FM Community Radio Broadcasting Free-to-listen freeform community radio broadcasting on 97.7 FM in Reno, Nevada, featuring diverse music, spoken-word, local arts coverage, and community programming.
• KWNK Online Radio Streaming Live internet radio streaming from KWNK's website, allowing listeners worldwide to access the station's programming in real time through an M3U playlist compatible with iTunes, Windows Media Player, and similar players.
• KWNK Membership Program Community-supported membership offering recurring monthly or yearly sustaining contributions, a one-time donation option with a $60 minimum for one year of membership, and member perks such as merchandise discounts and exclusive events.
• Local Business Underwriting and Sponsorship Underwriting and sponsorship opportunities for local businesses and organizations that want to support KWNK community radio operations and align with the station's Reno-area audience.

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Holland ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWNK 97.7FM is licensed by the Holland Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Nevada. Holland Project is an all-ages arts and music initiative by young people, for young people, empowering young people through access to music, art, workshop opportunities, and community service.
• High Desert Radio Project Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKWNK Radio operates as a community radio station under High Desert Radio Project Inc., the parent nonprofit organization overseeing the station's operations.
• Nevada Museum of ArtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal nonprofit supporter of community radio. Listed as business supporter on KWNK website.
• University of Nevada, Reno (Wolf Pack Radio)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStudent radio programming broadcast on KWNK every Saturday from 12PM to 3PM. Show features student-hosted programs including 'Brain Rot', 'Walkman 775', and 'Biographie.wpr'.
• City of RenominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Reno helped make MINDMELD 2025 event possible. Station has received city support for community arts programming.
• Local Business SupportersminorGTM or Marketing Partner20+ local businesses including Blue Dot Water, Chrome Coffee Works, Corrigan's Lost Highway, Great Full Gardens, Magpie Coffee Roasters, Maxwell's Barber Shop, Nevada Arts Council, Noah's Park Tree Care, Offbeat Music Festival, Press Start Arcade & Bar, Reno Big Arts Little City, Reno Counseling Collective, Reno Public House, Reno Public Market, Royce Burger Bar, The EP Listening Lounge, The Glass Die, The Holland Project, The Radical Cat support community radio through underwriting.
• Note-Able Music Therapy ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBluebird Radio Hour partnership with Note-Able Music Therapy Services (NMTS), an organization offering music therapy and adaptive music programs for people of all abilities. Show connects senior citizens and combats isolation.
• Truckee Meadows Bike AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBike Life Radio presented by Ky Plaskon and the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance. Show takes a less serious approach to bicycle advocacy and focuses on the experience of riding.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KVRX: University of Texas at Austin's freeform community radio station offering diverse music and spoken-word programming via FM and online streaming — comparable freeform, community-funded community broadcaster.
• WFMU: Listener-supported, freeform, nonprofit community radio station with eclectic programming, online streaming, and a strong volunteer/DJ-driven model — a direct structural and editorial analog to KWNK.
• WMBR: MIT's freeform community radio station with FM broadcast, online streaming, and a volunteer-run nonprofit structure — directly comparable to KWNK's mission and operating approach.
• KEXP: Seattle-based nonprofit community/college radio station with listener-supported funding, freeform music programming, online streaming, and an extensive on-demand archive — closely comparable mission and operating model to KWNK.
• WNUR: Northwestern University's freeform community radio station broadcasting diverse music and cultural programming via FM and online — similar freeform community-radio operating model to KWNK.
• KZSC: UC Santa Cruz's community radio station offering freeform programming, listener-supported funding, and online streaming — directly comparable to KWNK's freeform community-radio mission.
• WXYC: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's freeform community radio station — small nonprofit community broadcaster with diverse programming and streaming operations similar to KWNK.
• KALX: UC Berkeley's independent, freeform community radio station with FM broadcast and online streaming, dependent on volunteer DJs and listener donations — directly comparable nonprofit/community model.
• KXLU: Loyola Marymount University's nonprofit community/freeform radio station with FM broadcast, streaming, and community-supported funding — directly comparable to KWNK in scope and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• KCRW: Major Santa Monica-based public/community radio station with FM broadcast, streaming, podcast network, and large member-supported donor base — a much larger but structurally analogous nonprofit broadcaster.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCrmtqLyrAXITDp6Cx6GHhyQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/kwnkradio
• Instagraminstagram.com/kwnk97.7
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kwnk-radio

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 KWNK Radio