University Radio Foundation Inc

What it reported doing in 2024

Wfae is a major source of news and information for the charlotte region and one of the country's leading public radio stations. Wfae's mission is to create a more knowledgeable and engaged community grounded in our shared humanity. Our vision is achieved through journalism that informs, enriches and inspires. Here are some of the programming highlights that put wfae's mission and vision into practice in fy25.programming highlights: wfae's newsroom spent much of the first half of fy25 covering the aftermath and recovery efforts from hurricane helene in western North Carolina and South Carolina, and the 2024 elections. The team explored how president donald trump's second administration would affect the charlotte region in the second half of fy25.in february, the newsroom launched "first friday arts showcase," a monthly series with area arts reporters about big events happening in the listening area and activities to add to your calendar. "charlotte talks" continued to be the 'talk show of record' for the region. Host mike collins had conversations with experts, politicians, authors and others about topics such as chronic homelessness, North Carolina's economy and the disappearance of the southern drawl. Notable interviews included North Carolina state superintendent mo green, mecklenburg county commission chair mark jerrell and the weekly news roundup with local reporters. Reporter james farrell reported on local and state education issues including budgets, federal funding cuts and test scores. He also produced stories that looked at ai in the classroom, a program that offers free prom dresses and lessons learned by a high school football team in its very first season. Reporter steve harrison delved into issues such as the split between mecklenburg county commissioners and developer peebles corporation to redevelop land in uptown charlotte, the indictment of charlotte city council member tiawana brown for fraud and transit developments at the state and local levels. With grants from the salamander and green south foundation funds, wfae continued its climate coverage. Reporter zachary turner examined how climate change affects the carolinas. His stories also focused on the environmental impacts from hurricane helene, a program to offer all-terrain wheelchairs so more people can enjoy park trails and gastonia's microtransit service reaching 100,000 trips. Reporter julian berger reported on immigration issues and the latino community including immigrants' worries about president trump's return to office and the relationship between the mecklenburg county sheriff's office and ice. He also produced stories that looked at celebrations in the hindu, latino and vietnamese communities. Reporter elvis menayese explored programs that help inmates during and after incarceration and help young people with mental health and entrepreneurship in underserved communities. His stories also focused on funding cuts for childcare providers, cultural opportunities in communities of color and honoring the burial of several hundred enslaved people in South Carolina. Our equalibrium live series hosted "voices on immigration," a webinar that explored the impact of recent executive actions, policy changes and state-level legislation on immigrant communities. The "southbound" podcast continued to talk with people who were born and raised in the south. Host tommy tomlinson spoke with southerners from all walks of life - from authors and sports writers to musicians and comedians. Wfae partnered with public media stations across state to launch the North Carolina newsroom, capitol bureau. The collaboration expands North Carolina state government news coverage for audiences in the charlotte region. Wfae's carolinas climate summit brought together more than 200 experts, community leaders and advocates for a daylong series of sessions that looked at the impact of climate change in the carolinas. For the second year, wfae recognized 25 charlotte-area residents a

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 54.8%; rating input score 55
• Program expense ratio: 53%; rating input score 53
• Fundraising efficiency: $2.78 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 8; 8th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 4 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 67
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Pass
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 95.8%; rating input score 96; 26th percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -1.3%; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.86; rating input score 32; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.31; rating input score 33; 33rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 14.9%; rating input score 19; 19th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 4.3% per year; rating input score 100; 35th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.9% per year; rating input score 100; 34th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 1.4% per year; rating input score 100; 17th percentile among comparable filings