WDET Needs Your Help. Learn Why From General Manager Mary Zatina.

The coronavirus pandemic has hit Michigan’s economy hard, requiring an even greater surge in support and generosity. 

“This is a community organization. This is a point in our progress for our listeners to know where we stand.” — Mary Zatina, 101.9 WDET

Here at WDET, we have become an even more tightly-knit community, through additional live shows and other efforts — which have been additional opportunities for us to connect with you.

However, like so many businesses and non-profit organizations right now, WDET has lost a substantial portion of the funding that helps the station provide the community with local news and music shows, in depth feature reports and hand-picked music programming.

Listen: WDET General Manager Mary Zatina on WDET’s financial challenges and why we need your support. 

Now, we’re asking for your help: WDET needs to raise $2 million to meet our expected budget for this fiscal year.

So what exactly happened? 

Learn more about WDET’s budget and financial shortfall at a Zoom town hall, Wed., June 17 at 5:00 pm.

Mary Zatina, WDET ‘s General Manager, says that as COVID-19 began to financially squeeze many local businesses, a number of the station’s underwriting partnerships fell through.

“Our events that generate revenue all were cancelled. Some of our listeners are really struggling,” says Zatina. Membership has also reflected the hardship many WDET’s listeners and readers are facing, with 8% of listeners financial supporting the station. 

Zatina says transparency is a core value of a public radio station. That’s why we’re being upfront with you — our loyal listeners and readers — about where the station is at during this challenging time. 

“This is a community organization. This is a point in our progress for our listeners to know where we stand,” Zatina says.