Case Study: Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ) achieves 150% growth in online donations and doubles email list with Convio

Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ) - Customer Case Study

Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ), which reaches more than half a million weekly listeners and produces nationally syndicated programs like This American Life, relied heavily on episodic pledge drives but lacked listener contact data to build ongoing relationships. The station wanted a cost-effective way to collect names and email addresses, communicate regularly, and convert casual listeners into sustained donors.

Partnering with Convio for email marketing, online fundraising, surveys and constituent management, WBEZ grew its email file from 18,000 to 35,000, launched a monthly newsletter and targeted campaigns that increased online donations more than 150% year-over‑year. Campaigns raised $16,000 in 12 hours and $32,000 in two weeks, generated roughly 10× the annual Convio cost in eight months, and dramatically cut processing time—replacing a month of temp work with two volunteers working two days—and reduced annual pledge days to their fewest ever.

Chicago Public Radio (WBEZ)

Wendy Turner

Director of On-Air and Online Fundraising