In my work, I am often the encourager and cajoler in the mix: please show up, participate, make your voice heard, support this work, contribute. I thank you all for taking the time to read and respond to so much of what I write. I’m about to do just a tad more wheedling, but not before sharing some good news.

I am very pleased to announce that Davis Media Access (DMA) has successfully wrapped its fundraising campaign Celebrating 25 Years of Community Media in Davis. Our must-meet goal was $20k in support of our programs and services, and as of today, we have reached: $24,100. That money keeps KDRT on the air for another year, and also helps offset some of the cost of producing intensive local election coverage and supporting youth media projects (yes, we do an astonishing amount with relatively little money).

Each year DMA conducts an annual appeal campaign to raise funds for our hallmark programs & services. We've been raising money all month, and we are getting close to our goal, but still have about $2,000 to raise by June 1. If you have not made a donation yet, we need your help!

Here’s 10 GREAT reasons to support DMA’s community-building work:

• PSA Day for local non-profits
• Extensive voter education programming for June 3 election, including community partnerships recording forums and debates
• Support for youth efforts, from local television & radio series, to recording youth projects such as Mariachi Puente
• 120 hours of locally produced radio programming every week, via KDRT 95.7 FM
• Coverage of community forums on topics ranging from water to racism. Aired on DCTV and archived at dctv.davismedia.org
• Partnerships and support for Davis Music Festival, Davis Live Music Collective, Davis Parent University, Davis Odd Fellows, Saving CA Communities, DSOMA, and many more community & school groups
• Archive & replays of weekly Davis Joint Unified School District board meetings
• Commemorative recordings of all 5 local high-school graduations
• Kids’ media production and animation camps
• Hands-on skills building in digital & broadcast media, available to all in our community

Chances are good that you’ve played a role in DMA’s growth. If you’ve appeared on a program, watched or listened to something locally created, had an event covered or promoted, attended a workshop, or had a family member benefit from our training or internships, then you’ve been part of community media in Davis.

Community media works with community support - we thank you for yours! To find out more or to contribute, please visit kdrt.org or davismedia.org, or bring a check by to 1623 Fifth Street in Davis.

To see a list of our donors to date, please click here.


Yours in community,

Autumn Labbe-Renault

Executive Director

DMA’s commitment to non-partisan, voter education programming and local election coverage is well known in these parts, and right now, election season is in full swing. With "Meet the Candidates," pro-con statements for local ballot measures, and several forums airing on DCTV Channel 15 on Comcast and available online, we’re working with other community organizations on the next set of forums, and planning for election night with returning hosts Andrea Jones and Lea Rosenberg.

This election season, DMA has been partnering with Voterprep,  a non-partisan web application that helps voters easily make  better-informed decisions. Voterprep does this by publishing candidates' viewpoints on important election issues. Nonpartisan election moderators choose the issues and review viewpoints for publication to the site.  Voterprep is an online election forum in which users can be active – they participate by making suggestions and comments and keeping notes.

When you learn, Teach; When you get, Give
—Maya Angelou
These words have been ringing in my head since the recent Big Day of Giving on May 6. Our region donated more than 3 million dollars to support the work of local non-profits on that day, a tremendous success for all involved, and a statement about the importance of non-profits to our collective well-being. DMA received $2,300 in donations and won the $1,500 Landing Prize for last donation of the night, thanks to KDRT Steering Committee member & social media maven, Jessica Kelly.  This money will help KDRT stay on the air and provide important local public affairs and support for local music. THANK YOU!

We are well on our way—more than halfway there—but we’re far from done!