Santa Monica : KCRW-FM Raises $684,570

KCRW, the FM radio station that operates out of Santa Monica College, has earned $684,570 in pledges during an 11-day, on-the-air subscription drive.

Station spokeswoman Sarah Spitz said 12,958 phone calls were received during the fund-raising drive, which is conducted annually.

“We broke records last year, and we broke records again this year,” Spitz said.

Another $235,000 was collected in early subscription renewals late last year, she said. All of the money raised pays for operating costs, including programming, equipment and utilities.

Listeners account for 70% of the station’s budget, she said. Fund-raising will continue with sales of mugs and T-shirts.