Lexington Community Radio
The Voice of the People
Lexington Community Radio
EIN: 36-4662643
as of September 2023
as of September 18, 2023
Mission
MISSION: RADIOLEX provides a mass media platform to amplify underrepresented local voices and promote an equitable, inclusive community. --------- VISION: RADIOLEX will be a thriving, multi-lingual media collaborative embraced and sustained by our diverse community. --------- VALUES: RADIOLEX values: - Equity, inclusion, and understanding. - The public safety and wellbeing of our city. - Creativity, self-expression, and fearless exchange of ideas. - Informing and empowering citizens to engage and collaborate locally.
Notes from the nonprofit
RADIOLEX is a go-to information resource for thousands of listeners in Lexington’s underrepresented neighborhoods—especially our Black, HIspanic, Asian, Immigrant & Refugee, and LGBTQ+ communities as well as others whose experiences and concerns are not represented in mainstream news media. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and during the vaccine rollout, RADIOLEX has taken a leadership role. Our stations and website have been providing critical safety and public health information in over 20 languages to non-English speakers in our community. There are more than 185 languages spoken in Lexington. RADIOLEX’s team of volunteer interpreters have won recognition from the Governor’s office, the Kentucky Colonels, and the Kentucky World Language Association
Ruling year
2014
General Manager/Executive Director
Mark J. Royse
Main address
PO Box 526
Lexington, KY 40588-0526 USA
EIN
36-4662643
Music
Public health
News and public information
Communication media
Civic participation
Population served
LGBTQ people
Ethnic and racial groups
Social and economic status
Artists and performers
NTEE code
Citizen Participation (W24)
Community, Neighborhood Development, Improvement (S20)
Music (A68)
IRS subsection
501(c)(3) Public Charity
IRS filing requirement
This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ.
Tax forms
Communication
Programs and results
Reports and documents
Download annual reports Download other documentsWhat we aim to solve
RADIOLEX strives to combat the underrepresentation of women and marginalized populations in local media (and media in general) by providing a multi-media platform for amplifying local voices and for promoting an equitable, inclusive community.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Equity, inclusion, and understanding.
RADIOLEX ensures that marginalized and underrepresented voices have access to the public airwaves. Programming is citizen-created and designed to create a more just and inclusive community.
We are a go-to information resource for Lexington’s urban neighborhoods–especially communities of color, Latinx communities, and LGBT communities whose experiences and concerns are not represented in most local media.
Where we work
Awards
Volunteer Translation Team 2020
Ky Colonels
Affiliations & memberships
Volunteer Translation Team named KY Colonels 2020
External reviews
Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Total number of audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Ethnic and racial groups, LGBTQ people, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Equity, inclusion, and understanding.
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Estimated gross audience for 2022
The number of languages spoken in the community represented in programming.
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Equity, inclusion, and understanding.
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Language access has become an increasing focus for our organization since the onset of COVID in 2020.
Hours of volunteer service
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Equity, inclusion, and understanding.
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
The increase in hours indicates a return to volunteer service and outreach activities during 2022. RADIOLEX also hired a dedicated Volunteer Coordinator.
Number of grants and research funding awarded to the institution
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Equity, inclusion, and understanding.
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
annual grant dollars awarded
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
ROAD MAP FY2022
Objective: RADIOLEX will attract, engage, and retain a loyal listening audience from our target demographics.
Key Result: Gross Total Audience* >50,000 monthly from target demographics
Key Result: Establish Communications & Marketing Committee (staff level)
Key Result: Execute communications & marketing plan/calendar for FY2022
Key Result: Re-Activate Programming Committee
Objective: RADIOLEX will offer audiences options for on-demand listening.
Key Result: Create a comprehensive archive of RADIOLEX original programming.
Key Result: Establish Kentucky Creators Podcast Index
Objective: RADIOLEX will be an inclusive and equitable community media & news platform.
Key Result: Hire and retain new staff by Feb 28
Key Result: Establish and Implement Community Newsroom Program by Dec 31
Key Result: 75% of programming hours volunteer-hosted by Dec 31
Objective: RADIOLEX will be supported by our community through diverse and sustainable income streams.
Key Result: Raise min $225,000 by Dec 31
Key Result: Finalize FY22 fundraising plan w/ OKRs by Mar 15
Key Result: Publish 2021 Annual Report by Mar 30
Objective: RADIOLEX will collaborate with public safety, health, and service-based organizations as a media partner and sponsor.
Key Result: Report reach & impact of all existing and new collaborations quarterly.
Objective: RADIOLEX will be guided by inclusive, ethical, and transparent policies and procedures.
Key Result: Review/approve policy & procedure manual at Aug board meeting
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Collaboration is at the heart of community radio. During the COVID-19 crisis, RADIOLEX partnered with
the Office of the Governor, the City of Lexington, the Lexington Dept. of Emergency Management, and the
Lexington Fayette-County Health Department to communicate critical public health and safety information in
more than 20 languages. The volunteer translation team were all made Kentucky Colonels at the end of 2020.
RADIOLEX also partnered with the US Census to help reach underserved populations. Fayette County had one
of the highest response rates nationally. RADIOLEX partners with an array of local non-profits to help
amplify their work and raise awareness about important issues.
RADIOLEX also partners with community
organizations to help raise awareness and address the needs of those who are vulnerable and marginalized in
our community.
In Jan 2021, RADIOLEX moved into the Greyline Station & Market, home to Julietta Market--an economic incubator for largely minority micro-businesses and entrepreneurs. RADIOLEX has created relationships with market vendors to help raise awareness and tell the stories of their contribution to the community.
Additionally, RADIOLEX has recruited volunteer show hosts from among local businesses, student groups, performers, as well as guests visiting the Greyline.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
RADIOLEX enjoys a deep and rich network of community connections. Combined with high-quality recording booths, visible and accessible studio space, and access to the public airwaves, RADIOLEX is uniquely poised to amplify the Voice of the People.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
RADIOLEX is now in our seventh year, and we have accomplished a lot:
-We collaborated with the community to plan and launch not one but two community radio stations--one in English, one in Spanish, both broadcasting 24/7.
- We created and executed a three-year strategic plan from 2019-2021 and in the planning stages for 2022-2025.
-In 2020 we successfully renewed broadcast licenses for both stations through 2028.
-Through the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccine rollout, RADIOLEX has been a leader and go-to resource for critical public health and safety info for non-English speakers in the community. (More than 185 languages are spoken in Lexington).
-We have provided a mass media outlet for local artists and performers and their work.
-We provide a platform for original content created by more than 100 friends and neighbors from the community.
-We relocated from our original location (a classroom in the basement of the FCPS STEAM Academy) to a signature corner space in the Greyline Station & Market. This new space has tremendously increased our visibility and accessibility to the community.
- In 2023 RADIOLEX will launch a Community News Room Community members will receive hands-on technical training in community-based reporting through a certification program offered by the Community Newsroom. RADIOLEX will collaborate with journalism educators and professionals to create a multilingual curriculum that teaches the basics of ethical journalism and fact-based reporting. Part of this certification program will include a ‘trusted news source’ badge that can be awarded to local independent reporters.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, To understand people's needs and how we can help them achieve their goals
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
We collect feedback from the people we serve at least annually, We take steps to get feedback from marginalized or under-represented people, We aim to collect feedback from as many people we serve as possible, We take steps to ensure people feel comfortable being honest with us, We look for patterns in feedback based on demographics (e.g., race, age, gender, etc.), We look for patterns in feedback based on people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.), We act on the feedback we receive
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback, It is difficult to find the ongoing funding to support feedback collection, Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time, It is difficult to identify actionable feedback
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2021 info
0.00
Months of cash in 2021 info
2.2
Fringe rate in 2021 info
25%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
Lexington Community Radio
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.
Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31
This snapshot of Lexington Community Radio’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.
Created in partnership with
Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | -$38,731 | -$41,008 | $520 | $35,836 | -$14,056 |
| As % of expenses | -10.0% | -15.0% | 0.2% | 19.1% | -6.3% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | -$38,731 | -$41,008 | $520 | $35,836 | -$14,056 |
| As % of expenses | -10.0% | -15.0% | 0.2% | 19.1% | -6.3% |
| Revenue composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $369,376 | $231,586 | $263,803 | $223,060 | $244,581 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | 122.8% | -37.3% | 13.9% | -15.4% | 9.6% |
| Program services revenue | 8.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Government grants | 3.1% | 6.9% | 7.1% | 19.2% | 27.6% |
| All other grants and contributions | 88.7% | 91.8% | 92.6% | 80.8% | 72.4% |
| Other revenue | 0.2% | 1.3% | 0.4% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Expense composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $385,501 | $272,594 | $263,283 | $187,224 | $223,602 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | 146.1% | -29.3% | -3.4% | -28.9% | 19.4% |
| Personnel | 55.9% | 63.5% | 60.2% | 66.7% | 63.1% |
| Professional fees | 21.5% | 10.4% | 5.2% | 3.3% | 2.4% |
| Occupancy | 9.6% | 13.2% | 12.8% | 0.6% | 11.4% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 1.3% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| All other expenses | 13.0% | 12.9% | 21.6% | 28.2% | 23.1% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $385,501 | $272,594 | $263,283 | $187,224 | $223,602 |
| One month of savings | $32,125 | $22,716 | $21,940 | $15,602 | $18,634 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $0 | $21,886 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $417,626 | $295,310 | $285,223 | $224,712 | $242,236 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 2.2 |
| Months of cash and investments | 0.9 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 2.7 | 2.2 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 0.9 | -0.5 | -0.5 | 1.6 | 0.6 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $29,221 | $3,144 | $10,619 | $41,709 | $40,961 |
| Investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Receivables | $0 | $0 | $0 | $9,060 | $4,735 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 0.0% | 474.9% | 206.1% | 51.6% | 0.0% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $29,221 | -$11,787 | -$11,267 | $24,569 | $10,513 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $35,183 |
| Total net assets | $29,221 | -$11,787 | -$11,267 | $24,569 | $45,696 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
General Manager/Executive Director
Mark J. Royse
Mark comes to RADIOLEX from a diverse, creative background. He served as Executive Director of AVOL (AIDS Volunteers, Inc.) and has worked with a variety of other local non-profits including JustFundKY, LexArts, and Beaux-Arts Ball. He served as Director of Communications for the UK College of Design. He was formerly a creative director and most recently the business manager for Group CJ advertising. He was also a buyer and inventory manager for the J. Peterman Catalog made famous by Seinfeld. Mark is a graduate of the theatre program at the University of Kentucky and an alum of the Governor’s Scholar Program.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
Lexington Community Radio
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.
Lexington Community Radio
Board of directorsas of 08/03/2023
Board of directors data
Ms. Rowena Mahloch
Debra Hensley
State Farm
Shannon Stuart-Smith
Community Volunteer
Dominique Wright
Lexmark
Juan Carlos Castro
The JCC Group family of companies
Rowena Mahloch
Community Volunteer
Dianet Valencia Downs
KY Labor Cabinet
April Renee Edmonds
Social Worker
Lauren Gawthrop
Good Foods Co-op
Nicole Gwishiri
County Extension Agent
David Helmers
Railbird Festival
Jemma Kaluski
The Nature Conservancy
Tresine Logsdon
Fayette County Public Schools
Bryan S McNee
McNee Solutions
Veda Stewart
Kentucky Dept of Education
Joy Wilson
Toyota
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 08/03/2023GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race.
- We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization's programs, portfolios, and the populations served.
- We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support.
- We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
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- Letter of Determination
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- Contractor and/or Paid Preparer data for 2021, 2017, 2016
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