educational media foundation (emf)

What educational media foundation (emf) does

Educational Media Foundation (EMF), operating as K-LOVE, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian media ministry founded in 1982 and headquartered since 2024 in Franklin, Tennessee (previously Sacramento, California). Its core product is a network of more than 500 FM radio stations broadcasting positive, encouraging contemporary Christian music and devotional content across all 50 US states, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, complemented by HD Radio subchannels (K-LOVE 90s, 2000s, Eras, POP, and Christmas) and global online streaming via KLOVE.com.

The organization has expanded beyond radio into adjacent media formats: K-LOVE On Demand (a free streaming video platform launched in 2020), AccessMore (a faith-based podcast platform co-launched in 2020 hosting creators such as Max Lucado and Tauren Wells), and the Goodsource Gen Z media initiative (launched 2026). The 2019 acquisition of WTA Media added faith-based film and book publishing, while live experiences include the K-LOVE Fan Awards (since 2013 at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium), K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks (since 2021), Found Collective women's events, the Meet Every Listener tour (2023), and the K-LOVE Friends and Family Cruise (since 2004). The organization employs more than 500 team members across dozens of disciplines.

EMF is funded entirely through voluntary listener donations rather than commercial revenue, with no listener fees. Donation channels include recurring and one-time gifts via pledge drives, planned giving (estates, trusts, retirement QCDs), donor-advised funds, and through a 2024 partnership with FreeWill for securities, cryptocurrency, and online will-writing donations. The ministry reports an approximate 7:1 challenge grant leverage ratio on pledged dollars and holds ECFA accreditation as well as FCC broadcast licensing compliance. Governance is provided by a Board of Directors chaired by Jerry Shirer with CEO Tom Stultz leading executive operations.

Name

educational media foundation (emf)

Legal name

K-LOVE, Inc.

Website

https://kloveair1.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Educational Media Foundation (EMF) operates K-LOVE, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian media ministry broadcasting across 500+ FM radio stations in all 50 US states, plus streaming, podcasting, and live event platforms funded entirely by listener donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rocklin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Listener Donations: Primary revenue stream from voluntary donations made by listeners during pledge drives and ongoing giving campaigns. Includes one-time gifts, recurring monthly gifts, and major donor contributions.
2. Planned Giving: Legacy gifts, estate plans, charitable giving through wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations. Also includes retirement account donations (QCDs) and non-cash gifts.
3. Securities and Crypto Donations: Donations of stocks, other securities, and cryptocurrency accepted through partnership with FreeWill platform.
4. Donor-Advised Funds: Accepts donations through donor-advised funds for planned and strategic giving.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Educational Media Foundation (EMF) operates K-LOVE, a nonprofit Christian contemporary music radio ministry broadcasting positive, encouraging content across 500+ FM radio stations in the US and through online streaming, mobile apps, and the K-LOVE On Demand video platform. The ministry is offered free to listeners and is funded entirely through voluntary listener donations, with extensions including the AccessMore faith-based podcasting platform, the Goodsource Gen Z initiative, and live event experiences such as K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks and the K-LOVE Fan Awards.

Product overview

K-LOVE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Christian radio ministry operated by Educational Media Foundation (EMF). The organization operates a network of over 500 FM radio stations across the United States (including Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming), streaming online, and via digital platforms. The core product is K-LOVE Radio, a positive, encouraging Christian contemporary music network. Digital extensions include K-LOVE On Demand (streaming video with live concerts and original programming launched 2020), AccessMore (faith-based podcasting platform launched 2020 in partnership with EMF), and Goodsource (Gen Z initiative). Live events include K-LOVE Fan Awards (since 2013), K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks (since 2021), Found Collective (women's events), and K-LOVE Landmarks (concert series). The WTA Media acquisition (2019) expanded content into faith-based films and books. Radio stations broadcast multiple formats including K-LOVE POP, K-LOVE 90s, K-LOVE 2000s, and K-LOVE Eras HD Radio sub-channels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• K-LOVE 90s: Classic Christian music from the 1990s
• K-LOVE 2000s
• K-LOVE Eras
• K-LOVE POP
• K-LOVE Christmas
• K-LOVE On Demand
• AccessMore
• Goodsource
• Found Collective
• K-LOVE Fan Awards
• K-LOVE Landmarks
• K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks

Products and services

• K-LOVE Radio Christian contemporary music radio network broadcasting positive, encouraging content across 500+ FM stations nationwide and via online streaming. Features continuous music programming, DJ shows, and listener engagement content for Christian audiences.
• K-LOVE On Demand Free streaming video platform offering live concerts, original programming, and exclusive content for K-LOVE listeners, extending the ministry's reach beyond radio.
• AccessMore Faith-based podcasting platform providing Christian podcasts featuring Max Lucado, Lisa Harper, Tauren Wells, and other faith-based content creators.
• K-LOVE Fan Awards Annual awards show celebrating Christian music artists and fans, first held in 2013 at Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium.
• K-LOVE Live at Red Rocks Annual live concert event held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado, featuring Christian music artists and drawing thousands of fans.
• Found Collective Women's faith gathering and growth event series presented by K-LOVE, featuring speakers such as Sadie Robertson Huff, focused on gathering women to grow in faith side by side.
• K-LOVE Landmarks

Quantifiable outcome

• Challenge grant donations generate approximately $7 in additional support for every dollar donated

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Found CollectiveminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Women's faith gathering and growth events presented by K-LOVE, featuring Sadie Robertson Huff and other Christian speakers. K-LOVE presents and promotes these events to its audience.
• AccessMorecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Faith-based podcasting platform launched in partnership with K-LOVE in 2020. AccessMore distributes Christian podcasts and devotional content, with K-LOVE as a founding partner.
• WTA MediacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019K-LOVE acquired WTA Media in 2019 to develop faith-based films and books, expanding content offerings beyond radio into publishing and film production.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WAY-FM Media Group: WAY-FM is a nonprofit contemporary Christian music radio network broadcasting across multiple US states with listener-supported funding. Directly comparable to K-LOVE in target audience, music format, and donor-driven revenue model.
• Salem Communications: Salem Communications is one of the largest US commercial radio operators focused on Christian and conservative talk programming, directly comparable to K-LOVE in faith-based broadcasting footprint, content format, and audience demographic. Both monetize reach via donations/listener support models across nationwide FM networks.
• Bott Radio Network: Bott Radio Network is a nonprofit Christian radio broadcaster operating across multiple US markets with a similar format (teaching, music, preaching) and listener-supported model. Comparable to K-LOVE in mission, content mix, and reliance on donor funding.
• Moody Radio: Moody Radio is the broadcast ministry of Moody Bible Institute, offering Christian music and teaching across US stations and digital platforms. Closely comparable to K-LOVE in faith-based radio programming, listener-donor monetization, and educational/inspirational content strategy.
• Air1 (Educational Media Foundation): Air1 is EMF's sister worship/alternative Christian music network, broadcasting on overlapping FM stations and digital platforms. Directly comparable as a same-operator brand alongside K-LOVE, sharing infrastructure and donor base while targeting adjacent music preferences.

Emerging players

• Spotify: Spotify hosts Christian music playlists and podcasts that compete for K-LOVE's digital listener attention and offer alternative donation-adjacent monetization (artist royalties, subscription). Comparable in audio streaming and podcast distribution, but secular and global vs. K-LOVE's faith-focused free model.

Broad incumbents

• iHeartMedia: iHeartMedia is the largest US radio operator with hundreds of FM stations plus iHeartRadio streaming. Comparable to K-LOVE in radio footprint scale and multi-platform digital distribution, but operates commercial advertising-supported model across mainstream (secular) formats rather than faith-based niche.
• Audacy: Audacy operates a large US radio footprint plus the Audacy digital streaming app. Comparable to K-LOVE in radio broadcasting scale and multi-platform digital audio distribution, but commercial and format-diverse.
• Cumulus Media: Cumulus Media is a major US radio broadcaster with hundreds of stations across many markets and digital streaming (Cumulus Podcast Network). Comparable to K-LOVE in nationwide FM reach and digital expansion, but commercial and format-diverse rather than faith-focused.
• SiriusXM: SiriusXM operates subscription satellite and streaming audio with dedicated faith and family channels. Comparable to K-LOVE in audio broadcasting scale and on-demand streaming presence, but subscription-driven and broad-format rather than free, donor-supported Christian music.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/KLOVERadio
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/klove
• Facebookfacebook.com/kloveradio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/k-love
• Instagraminstagram.com/kloveradio
• TikToktiktok.com/@kloveradio

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about educational media foundation (emf)