Sustaining Memberships
A sustaining membership is an ongoing monthly donation that you can change or cancel at any time. Sustaining memberships provide KQED with a dependable base of revenue and sustain the programs, reporting and exceptional journalism that you depend on. As a sustainer, your membership is always active until you say otherwise, giving you complete control.
How do sustaining memberships help KQED?
Sustaining Members provide continuous support for thoughtful reporting and inspiring entertainment that enriches the Bay Area.
What is the minimum amount for a sustaining membership?
Sustaining memberships start at $5/month or $60/year.
What benefits are available for sustaining members?
Get our Pledge-Free Stream of KQED Public Radio during fundraising drives in addition to all general member benefits.
What if I have a question that’s not answered here?
Find answers to more membership questions in our Help Center.
Your Impact
Sustaining members enable KQED to thrive by providing a foundation of revenue that we can depend on to help us keep making the news and information the Bay depends on accessible to everyone. More than half of our budget comes from kind folks donating what they can, and a sustaining membership helps us know how we can plan for the future. Sustaining memberships help us do work like:
- Producing reporting that helped alleviate pollution in East Oakland by getting diesel generators shut down.
- Spearheading a media coalition that got the previously sealed trial footage of the Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage released after a five year legal battle.
- Facilitating media-making workshops for 400+ students to share their voice and gain experience in script development, audio soundscaping and more.
Exclusive Benefits
Sustaining members get access to the following exclusive benefits:
- Complimentary access to Pledge-Free Stream during our radio fundraising drives
- Automatically get entered into all on-air drawings
- Membership always remains active and auto-renews—no need to worry about renewing manually
- No renewal notices in the mail, meaning that even more resources are saved and go right back into the programming
You also get access to all membership benefits for your membership level starting the first month you give. Your membership level is calculated based on the total amount you give over 12 months. For instance:
- A $5/month monthly sustaining membership is calculated as $5 x 12 months = $60/year, or a General Membership.
Manage Membership
Existing members can view personalized membership details and update payment information, contact information or personal information.
FAQs
How does a sustaining membership make a greater impact than a one-time membership?
Giving monthly helps KQED plan for the future and reduces the number of resources we need to spend in order to remind supporters to renew their memberships each year. This consistent base of support puts us on stable ground for the future.
Am I paying more for a sustaining membership compared to a one-time membership?
Nope! A sustaining membership is just a different way of distributing the amount you wish to donate to KQED. For example, you can donate $60 at one time, or $5 a month over the course of one year to equal $60. You decide on the amount you donate no matter what type of membership you choose.
When am I qualified to receive my membership benefits after I start a sustaining membership?
You are qualified to receive membership benefits as soon as you sign up.
How can I increase my sustaining gift?
You may increase your sustaining member pledge by using our sustaining membership upgrade form. If your membership information such as name, address and email have not changed, your donation will automatically be linked to your existing account and will replace your existing Sustaining Member pledge. You will receive an email acknowledgement of your donation immediately after submitting your pledge.
If your membership information has changed, you can update your name, address, phone number and email address after you make your pledge through our handy Update Member Info form.
How do I pause or cancel a sustaining membership?
We’re sorry you have to cancel your financial support, but we do understand. You can suspend or cancel your contribution either:
- By using our Contact Member Services form, or
- By calling us at (415) 553-2150, Mon-Fri 9 am-4:45 pm
Be sure to include your contact information and/or membership ID number with your request for faster processing.
Contact Member Services
Not finding what you’re looking for? Let us help you.
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
More Ways to Support
Vehicle Donation Program
Donate your unwanted vehicle to fund the quality programming you enjoy from KQED.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Create your own fundraising campaign with friends and family to support KQED on Facebook.
Matching Gifts
Learn if your company will match your charitable donation to KQED.