WAMC
EIN: 22-2400593
Mission
WAMC is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents to "furnish, prepare and present non-profit and non-commercial educational, instructional and cultural radio programs and also non-profit and non-commercial programs (including without limitation, chamber and folk music programs and forums on public affairs) for live audiences which may also be broadcast." WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, chartered by the NYS Board of Regents in 1981, is a non-commercial, public radio station. With stations and translators in 28 locations throughout the Northeast, WAMC's listening area reaches parts of seven states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; as well as parts of Canada.
Ruling year
1992
President and CEO
Sarah Gilbert
Main address
318 Central Ave
Albany, NY 12206 USA
EIN
22-2400593
Performing arts
Communication media
Population served
Adults
Adolescents
Preteens
NTEE code
Radio (A34)
Performing Arts Centers (A61)
Media, Communications Organizations (A30)
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 reportsWhat we aim to solve
To provide access to essential day-to-day information on subjects that directly impact the quality of peoples lives: the words and actions of their government leaders, the economy, education, health, science, the environment, and cultural activities in their communities.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Program Overview
WAMC, chartered by the NYS Board of Regents in 1981, is a non-commercial, public radio station. With stations and translators in 28 locations throughout the Northeast, WAMC's listening area reaches parts of seven states, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire; as well as parts of Canada. With over 500,000 monthly listeners, WAMC ranks among the most-listened-to public radio stations in the United States.
The station broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with a schedule of news, information, music, and cultural programming. In addition to programming provided by NPR, to which WAMC subscribes, the station is one of the most prolific producers of original public radio style programming in the country. WAMC produces and broadcasts nine locally aired programs nine nationally-syndicated programs which are broadcast by hundreds of radio stations throughout North America and on Armed Forces Radio.
Earth Wise
Earth Wise is an original, 2-minute, daily radio program designed to build environmental awareness by educating the general public about issues related to the changing environment. This program, offered at no cost to the public, fills the gap between scientifically based conservation information and the general public.
Human society contributes to changes in the environment with most things we do. The cars we drive, the food we eat, the resources we consume, and the places where we live and work all have a great impact on our environment. And, in turn, these ongoing changes have a great impact on us and the other living things with which we share the planet.
51%
In America, women make up more than half the population. Worldwide, women are expected to outnumber men within the next fifty years. While every issue that women face is one that affects us all, there remains a lack of awareness about women’s perspectives.
Hosted by Jesse King, 51% offers a critical exploration of topics presented via a variety of voices and multiple points of view. Dunne examines a wide sweep of subjects, drawing from events in the news and current research. She engages listeners with insightful investigations of 2-3 relevant issues per 25-minute segment. Issues of equality, motherhood, career, and reproductive rights have been explored with objectivity; recent stories have ranged from sexual assault on college campuses to Japanese subculture that focuses on girls and women.
The Academic Minute
The Academic Minute brings cutting edge academic research from around the world to the general public in a short, engaging radio segment. Aired to a diverse, national and international audience, this program effectively bridges the gap between scholarly study and the general public. Designed to heighten awareness of and stimulate interest in current issues from a variety of disciplines, it demonstrates the relevance of academic research to social, economic, historic and scientific challenges.
Currently aired to 500,000 monthly listeners in the Northeast each weekday, The Academic Minute also has a strong, interactive presence online and on social media. Furthermore, the program is nationally-syndicated and is currently carried by 68 radio stations throughout North America.
Where we work
Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award to Alan Chartock, President & CEO 2020
The New York State Associated Press Association
Affiliations & memberships
National Public Radio
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of broadcast audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Sources: Nielson Spring & Fall 2023 average, Nielson Spring & Fall 2022 Book average, Nielson Spring 2021 and 2020 Books, Nielson Fall 2019 Books, Nielson Spring 2018 Books
Number of unique podcast audience members
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Total number of annual podcast episode streams/downloads. WAMC now produces 18 podcasts. Note: 2020&21 reported unique listeners to a podcast, omitting individual episode streams/downloads.
Number of donors retained
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Annual number of active donors/members
Number of new donors
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Adults
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn 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?
To provide the community with objective, relevant information through educational and news radio programming.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
In addition to programming provided by NPR, to which WAMC subscribes, the station is one of the most prolific producers of original public radio style programming in the country. WAMC produces and broadcasts nine locally aired programs, including The Roundtable, which is a multi-award winning, nationally recognized, eclectic talk program. Airing weekdays, the program features news, interviews, in-depth discussion, listener call-ins, music and much more. The Roundtable tackles both serious and lighthearted subjects, looking to explore the many facets of the human condition with civility, respect and responsibility. Other locally aired programs include Live at The Linda, Medical Monday, The Hudson River Sampler, Mid-Day Magazine, Northeast Report, Tim Coakley's Jazz Show, Vox Pop, and WAMC Bluegrass Time.
WAMC also produces nine nationally-syndicated programs which are broadcast by hundreds of radio stations throughout North America and on Armed Forces Radio. Earth Wise is a two-minute segment designed to build environmental awareness by educating the general public about issues related to the changing environment. The Academic Minute brings cutting edge academic research from around the world to a broad audience in an engaging, 2.5 minute segment. 51% is a twenty-five minute program that educates the general public about issues related to women and society on a variety of topics—the environment, healthcare, our children, politics, the arts—anything that concerns citizens of the global community. Other nationally syndicated programs include Person, Place, Thing, The Best of our Knowledge, The Book Show, The Capitol Connection, The Legislative Gazette, and The Media Project.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
WAMC broadcasts twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week with a schedule of non-commercial news, information, music, and cultural programming. With a mission to provide the community with objective, relevant information through educational and news radio programming, WAMC has, for 30+ years, also consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to the arts. In addition to programming provided by NPR, to which WAMC subscribes, the station produces and broadcasts nine locally-aired programs as well as nine nationally-syndicated programs (which are broadcast by hundreds of radio stations throughout North America).
WAMC broadcasts a total of 16 music programs; several are produced by WAMC, such as Live at The Linda, Hudson River Sampler, Tim Coakley Jazz Show, and WAMC Bluegrass Time. Others are nationally-syndicated programs such as Thistle and Shamrock, Afropop Worldwide, and Grateful Dead Hour. WAMC's award-winning talk radio program, The Roundtable, regularly invites artists such as creative writers, film artists, dancers, and many more, to the program to discuss their art.
The Linda's public programs also satisfy the organization's mission to provide programming that reflects the diversity of both its live and listening audiences. The Linda's programming reflects artistic excellence through a commitment to presenting top-quality artists. It also has a special interest in developing and advancing new or emerging artists.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
WAMC has been awarded numerous New York State Broadcasters Association Awards, New York State Associated Press Awards, and Communicator Awards and has been nominated for countless other awards throughout their 60 year history. WAMC continues to assess programming based on the ever changing needs and concerns of local, regional and national importance.
2022 Awards
WAMC received a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award in the category News Documentary for its Oral History of the Capitol Siege.
New York State Broadcasters Association - 2022
WAMC is the proud recipient of three Excellence in Broadcasting Awards in the 56th annual New York State Broadcasters Association contest.
Outstanding Election Coverage, for coverage of elections in Pittsfield and North Adams
Outstanding Live Local Coverage, for coverage of the summer standoff between demonstrators and Albany Police outside a downtown police station
Outstanding Podcast, for "A New York Minute in History."
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, 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 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 people’s interactions with us (e.g., site, frequency of service, etc.)
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
Financial documents
Download audited financialsRevenue vs. expenses: breakdown
Liquidity in 2023 info
1.57
Months of cash in 2023 info
3.1
Fringe rate in 2023 info
18%
Funding sources info
Assets & liabilities info
Financial data
WAMC
Balance sheetFiscal Year: Jul 01 - Jun 30
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: Jul 01 - Jun 30
This snapshot of WAMC’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.
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Business model indicators
| Profitability info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation | $797,686 | $866,033 | $2,409,955 | $159,875 | -$382,725 |
| As % of expenses | 11.3% | 12.4% | 35.8% | 2.2% | -4.9% |
| Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation | $315,739 | $402,437 | $1,916,394 | -$371,976 | -$962,890 |
| As % of expenses | 4.2% | 5.4% | 26.5% | -4.8% | -11.4% |
| Revenue composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted) | $7,922,709 | $7,900,851 | $8,926,551 | $7,774,367 | $7,363,637 |
| Total revenue, % change over prior year | -7.5% | -0.3% | 13.0% | -12.9% | -5.3% |
| Program services revenue | 42.9% | 37.2% | 26.0% | 36.5% | 37.7% |
| Membership dues | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Investment income | 0.3% | 0.6% | 0.5% | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| Government grants | 6.0% | 7.3% | 15.1% | 6.0% | 7.0% |
| All other grants and contributions | 44.9% | 50.8% | 54.0% | 50.8% | 51.8% |
| Other revenue | 5.9% | 4.2% | 4.3% | 5.4% | 2.5% |
| Expense composition info | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses before depreciation | $7,054,360 | $6,993,292 | $6,739,406 | $7,201,730 | $7,835,240 |
| Total expenses, % change over prior year | -1.3% | -0.9% | -3.6% | 6.9% | 8.8% |
| Personnel | 54.8% | 53.7% | 55.7% | 53.8% | 53.3% |
| Professional fees | 1.1% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 1.3% | 1.0% |
| Occupancy | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Interest | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Pass-through | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.4% | 0.4% |
| All other expenses | 44.1% | 45.0% | 43.0% | 44.6% | 45.3% |
| Full cost components (estimated) info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total expenses (after depreciation) | $7,536,307 | $7,456,888 | $7,232,967 | $7,733,581 | $8,415,405 |
| One month of savings | $587,863 | $582,774 | $561,617 | $600,144 | $652,937 |
| Debt principal payment | $0 | $0 | $658,700 | $0 | $0 |
| Fixed asset additions | $0 | $0 | $0 | $841,542 | $0 |
| Total full costs (estimated) | $8,124,170 | $8,039,662 | $8,453,284 | $9,175,267 | $9,068,342 |
Capital structure indicators
| Liquidity info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Months of cash | 4.4 | 6.8 | 5.6 | 4.4 | 3.1 |
| Months of cash and investments | 6.5 | 8.9 | 11.4 | 9.3 | 7.8 |
| Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets | 6.7 | 7.8 | 11.6 | 9.7 | 7.7 |
| Balance sheet composition info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | $2,587,757 | $3,953,482 | $3,164,518 | $2,663,688 | $2,045,368 |
| Investments | $1,255,999 | $1,238,251 | $3,211,565 | $2,930,953 | $3,030,099 |
| Receivables | $574,313 | $437,262 | $501,747 | $539,644 | $528,706 |
| Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE) | $13,011,023 | $13,311,566 | $13,732,851 | $14,574,393 | $14,885,729 |
| Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE) | 59.9% | 62.0% | 63.7% | 63.6% | 65.6% |
| Liabilities (as a % of assets) | 8.2% | 12.9% | 5.9% | 5.9% | 25.4% |
| Unrestricted net assets | $9,181,430 | $9,583,867 | $11,500,261 | $11,128,285 | $10,165,395 |
| Temporarily restricted net assets | $0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Permanently restricted net assets | $0 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Total restricted net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total net assets | $9,181,430 | $9,583,867 | $11,500,261 | $11,128,285 | $10,165,395 |
Key data checks
| Key data checks info | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material data errors | No | No | No | No | No |
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Documents
President and CEO
Sarah Gilbert
Joining WAMC as President and CEO in August of 2024, Ms. Gilbert spent the first decade of her career in public media at the BBC in London and Brussels, where she worked on the international desk leading teams in the field throughout Europe and the Middle East. She oversaw the BBC's 2008 election coverage and served as Executive Producer for Americana, a weekly politics and culture show. She has also served as Managing Editor at APM's Marketplace, NPR's Supervising Senior Editor of Weekend Edition, Executive Producer of Morning Edition, and Vice President of News Programming.
Number of employees
Source: IRS Form 990
WAMC
Officers, directors, trustees, and key employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
WAMC
Highest paid employeesSOURCE: IRS Form 990
Compensation data
WAMC
Board of directorsas of 09/03/2024
Board of directors data
Mrs. Dorothy Reynolds
Retired Professor
Term: 2021 - 2025
Ms. Anne Erickson
Retired Executive
Term: 2022 - 2025
Janet Axlerod
Attorney
Ira Fusfeld
Publisher
Blair Horner
Exec. Dir.
Sandy Waxgiser
Joseph Browdy
Atty Retired
JP Miller
Principal, Empire Report
Michael Spain
Journalist, retired
James Hendler
Professor
Mia Mask
Professor
Cianna Freeman-Tolbert
Attorney
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
Transgender Identity
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
Equity strategies
Last updated: 01/12/2023GuideStar 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 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 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.
Contractors
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- Letter of Determination
- Officer and/or Employee data for 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019
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