KVMR FM Program Production Grant Guidelines (revised 11/12/14) Introduction Part of KVMR s annual Community Service Grant (CSG) from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is restricted and intended for the purchase of national programming to air on KVMR and/or to assist in the production of local programming to be placed in the national radio marketplace. KVMR uses these CSG restricted funds for both purposes. These funds cover our annual satellite downlink fees and purchase programs such as Democracy Now and BBC News; which are nationally distributed programs that air on KVMR. The CSG restricted funds have also assisted the production of Loafer s Glory, a locally produced program that aired nationally, as well as a variety of other shows produced through KVMR. For local productions, the restrictions on the funds are quite general and allow use for travel expenses, wages, rental of production facilities, material expenses (e.g., tapes, compact disks, paper, postage), marketing and promotional expenses, satellite uplink fees and so on. CSG restricted funds are replenished on an annual basis as part of KVMR s CPB Grant. Context/Definitions As a recipient of a Community Service Grant, KVMR is required to spend approximately 25 percent of our annual grant on national program production and acquisition. Specifically, those funds are solely to be used for acquiring or producing programming that is to be distributed nationally and is designed to serve the needs of a national audience. (Communications Act of 1934: Section 396(k)(3)(A)(iii)) According to the CPB:
This portion of the CSG must be used exclusively for the acquisition, production, promotion and distribution of national programming of high quality, diversity, creativity, excellence and innovation, with strict adherence to the objectivity and balance in all programs or series of programs of a controversial nature. To qualify as a national program for funding from CSG funds, a program must be placed in the national marketplace of public radio programming. This portion of the CSG may be used for the direct costs associated with placing a program produced with CSG funds into the national marketplace, such as the cost of purchasing satellite time, or other direct distribution costs. While the CPB does not clearly define the national marketplace of public radio, they require that programs produced with these restricted funds be made available to, and be broadcast by, radio stations outside the local area of the station that produces it (KVMR, in this case). While not specifically required, CPB prefers that funded programs air in at least three different states. In large states like California, programs could easily air outside our local area and still not cross state lines. While this point could be effectively argued, for now, KVMR is requiring that funded programs be marketed, distributed and aired in at least three states. Credit for CPB and KVMR The CPB requires that any programs produced or acquired with funds received pursuant to the restricted portion of the CSG, will be broadcast with an appropriate and sufficient underwriter credit for CPB identifying CPB s financial assistance. Likewise, KVMR also requires similar attribution. At a minimum, this may consist of a statement like: This program is produced at the studios of KVMR FM, Nevada City. Funding is provided by KVMR with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. KVMR s Grant Review Panel To develop guidelines and criteria for the use of CSG restricted funds, review applications and award individual grants, KVMR has assembled a Grant Review Panel. The Panel is made up of KVMR s General Manager, Program Director, a current or former member of KVMR's Board of Directors or Program Committee, grant applicants and grant recipients from earlier rounds of funding, and others with program production experience. Members of the Grant Review Panel who are interested in applying for grant funds are specifically excluded from the review of applications and grant selection processes. While it is assumed that most projects funded with CSG restricted funds will air on KVMR, the Grant Review Panel is not involved with KVMR
programming selection or scheduling; these concerns remain the purview of KVMR s Program Director and/or Committee. What Projects Are Eligible for CSG Restricted Funds? General At KVMR, CSG restricted funds will be used to assist in the production of new radio projects that may not otherwise occur without financial assistance. Accordingly, preference will be given to new or proposed programs, rather than established ones. Likewise, while KVMR strongly encourages and will assist producers in the pursuit of additional grant funding, preference for CSG restricted funds will be given to projects that do not have any other demonstrable sources of funding. While KVMR may award grant funding both to a pilot and a subsequent larger project or series, these funds will not be used for ongoing support. It is expected that, while producers are launching programs with the assistance of a KVMR grant, they will also be researching and applying for other funding sources to support the continuation of larger projects or series. What Criteria Will Be Used to Select Projects for Funding? Award decisions will be based in part on how well the proposed program fulfills several criteria. The following are required of all program applications: Proposals are in keeping with, and help fulfill, KVMR's Mission Statement, as follows: A vibrant community is well informed and involved, embraces diversity, respectfully shares opinions and fosters economic and social justice. KVMR builds community by bringing people together to celebrate the music of the world and give voice to the community Proposals must have strong potential for both local and national distribution and broadcast. Remember that funded programs must appeal to a national audience. While we may value many of our own locally-produced programs, there are often similar programs airing at public stations all over the county. When conceiving proposals, ask yourself whether or not other public radio stations would reasonably select your completed project over their own local programming. Applications must be thoroughly conceived, and clearly presented in the application. Priorities For Programs Preference may also be given to applications that demonstrate an ability to fulfill one or more of the following priorities: They propose programming that will enhance the quality of life of listeners. They are proposed by producers with a demonstrated ability to create quality programming that is illuminating, inspiring and appealing. They are particularly relevant.
They are innovative and creative. Also: When appropriate, KVMR broadcasters may draw from the listening community, as well as from within the station, for concepts, skills, inspiration, and partnership in the development and creation of programming proposals. Types of Programs Programming concepts of all types will be considered, including: Documentary/Biography/Human Interest News/Investigative Reporting/Public Affairs Drama/Radio Theatre Information/Health/Science/Environment Music/Music History/Musicology Performance/Culture/The Arts Spoken Word/Stories/Literature/Poetry Radio Art Who Is Eligible for Grant Funds? Candidates for CSG restricted funds must meet the following minimum qualifications: The candidate must demonstrate ample experience in radio program production and an ability to organize and produce a professional quality project. This may be accomplished either through one s own abilities and/or through partnering with a co-applicant who can demonstrate those abilities. A recorded demo that establishes the producer s production abilities and that conveys the feeling of the proposal must be supplied along with the application. The demo should be a minimum of five minutes and no more than fifteen minutes in length. Excerpts of longer programs must be cued to the representative portion. Candidates or co-applicants who are active broadcasters at KVMR must be in good standing for a minimum of one year. If KVMR facilities are to be used for the production, the KVMR Program Director must coordinate the candidate(s) for the use of such facilities. Application for Grant funds For each program proposal, applicants must complete a KVMR FM Application Form titled, Proposal for KVMR National Program Production Grant. If selected for funding, grants will be
made to a single individual. If your proposal will employ other noteworthy producers or personnel, you may wish to include that information in your application. The application must include a proposal description written in narrative form, with specific examples of program topic, content and format. Each application should present the proposed project so that the Review Panel can envision it. To help justify the amount of grant funding requested, applications must include specific information on projected costs to complete the proposed project. Such information will include estimated person hours for planning, research, writing, recording, editing, production and distribution. Also included must be anticipated material costs such as travel expenses, equipment rental, recording media (e.g., tapes, disks), marketing expenses, duplication services, satellite uplink fees and postage. If your project is selected for funding, you will be required to make periodic reports to the Review Panel, documenting your progress on your project, how the funds have been utilized, and other details to assist the Panel in assessing the effectiveness of the grant program. Reporting guidelines will be provided to you at the time of funding. The Grant Review Panel will provide an orientation to assist interested applicants with the application process. Members of the Panel will be available as mentors to assist interested applicants throughout the application process and to assist funded producers while working on your projects. For additional information or assistance, contact KVMR s Program Director, Steve Baker, at 530.265.9073. Completed applications must be filed by their posted deadlines and must be submitted to: KVMR Programming Grant c/o Steve Baker KVMR FM 401 Spring Street Nevada City, CA 95959 program@kvmr.org We look forward to reviewing your proposals.