2026 Summer Pledge Drive ends on-air week with $353K raised
WHAT IS SUMMER PLEDGE DRIVE?
KPCW’s biannual pledge drives are our biggest fundraisers of the year, ensuring the programming and services we provide the community are always available to anyone, anywhere, anytime—always for free.
Between Sept. 14 and Sept. 17, KPCW is welcoming local nonprofits to join us on the air to help fundraise for the station.
To show our appreciation, KPCW provides FREE underwriting to save on marketing dollars down the road. This means when you donate to KPCW, it not only supports us, but also these organizations.
As a public radio station, one of KPCW's primary sources of funding comes from individual donations. This support from readers like you allows us to continue serving as the voice of the Wasatch Back.
Find all of our fundraising updates and coverage from inside the KPCW studios below. This summer's goal total is $375,000.
Click HERE to donate now!
THURSDAY 6 P.M. HOUR
KPCW ended its on-air Summer 2026 Pledge Drive with a total of $353,626!
The drive does not end until Sunday night. Donors can continue donating online to raise the final $18,000 and make it to our $375,000 goal.
Donate NOW and dedicate your funds to the nonprofit of your choice. Each of the nonprofits' hours can be found and watched below.
THE FINAL 20 MINUTES
KPCW was $22,000 short of its $375,000 goal with 20 minutes left to go.
If you would like to help KPCW reach its goal, donate online or call (435) 649-9004 to donate over the phone.
THURSDAY 5 P.M. HOUR
The final hour of the Summer Pledge Drive kicked off with more Rotary Rally!
KPCW started the hour with $30,000 left to raise in order to reach the goal of $375,000.
THURSDAY 4 P.M. HOUR
The Rotary Rally kicked off as the final on-air block of the 2026 Summer Pledge Drive!
Tune in to hear all of our local Rotary chapters battle it out for the most funds raised.
THURSDAY 3 P.M. HOUR - $317,215 RAISED
The KPCW digital team took over the studio for the 3 p.m. hour.
They discussed all of the non-radio offerings at KPCW and how to get in touch with KPCW!
THURSDAY 11 A.M. HOUR - $275,561 RAISED
The National Ability Center (NAC) entered the studio to raise funds!
During the hour, NAC raised $18,140, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $275,561.
THURSDAY 10 A.M. HOUR - $257,421 RAISED
At 10 a.m., Peace House entered the studio to raise funds and talk about its mission to shelter unhoused people and those navigating abuse situations.
Tune in to hear them discuss the complexities of providing housing resources to the community.
During its hour, Peace House raised $11,311, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $257,421.
THURSDAY 9 A.M. HOUR
PC Tots joined the KPCW studio for the 9 a.m. hour on day four.
They raised a total of $13,079 in the hour, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $246,110.
THURSDAY 8 A.M. HOUR
Pledge Drive day four kicked off with Leslie Thatcher's Local News Hour.
Leslie was joined by representatives from Leadership Park City to talk about the latest city initiatives and reminisce about past classes.
WEDNESDAY 5 P.M. HOUR - $222,736 RAISED
The 5 p.m. hour of the Summer Pledge Drive kicked off with members of the KPCW Board.
They talked about all things KPCW, from our mission to our future goals.
During the 5 p.m. hour, the KPCW Board raised $31,356, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $222,736.
WEDNESDAY 4 P.M. HOUR - $191,380 RAISED
Host Claire Wiley was joined by the Elks Lodge of Park City for the 4 p.m. hour of Pledge Drive day three.
Throughout the 4 p.m. hour, the Elks Lodge of Park City raised $12,795, bringing the overall Summer Pledge Drive total to $191,380.
WEDNESDAY 3 P.M. HOUR
Summer Pledge Drive returned to the airwaves at 3 p.m.
Ashley and Emily told their own stories and shared some of the ways YSA has impacted children in the community.
During its hour, YSA raised $8,092, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $117,532.
WEDNESDAY 11 A.M. HOUR
At 11 a.m., the Park City Board of Realtors joined the studio.
They spoke about the housing needs of the community and some of their ongoing initiatives.
WEDNESDAY 10 A.M. HOUR
Representatives from Hive Family Collective joined the studio for the 10 a.m. hour!
They shared details about their mission to support young parents from pregnancy to full-time parenthood.
Hive Family Collective reached their fundraising goal in their first-ever Pledge Drive appearance!
WEDNESDAY 9 A.M. HOUR
Hour two began, and representatives from the Christian Center of Park City entered the studio!
Co-hosts of KPCW's The Mountain Life, Lynn Ware Peak and Mary Beth Maziarz, talk to them about the Christian Center's mission and their own stories.
During the 9 a.m. hour, the Christian Center of Park City raised $5,861, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $154,924.
WEDNESDAY 8 A.M. HOUR
Day three of KPCW's 2026 Summer Pledge Drive kicked off with Leslie Thatcher's Local News Hour.
Deer Valley Resort joined in the studio as the hour's nonprofit, raising money.
During the hour, Deer Valley Resort raised $4,132, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $149,062.
TUESDAY 5 P.M. HOUR
Mountainside Trails Foundation joined Claire Wiley in the KPCW studio to talk about trails and recreation in the Wasatch Back.
During the hour, Mountain Trails Foundation raised $18,165, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $137,115.
TUESDAY 4 P.M. HOUR - $118,951 RAISED
As the 4 p.m. hour began, KPCW welcomed Kimball Art Center and The Yard into the studio.
They talked about upcoming events, exhibits and more! A little
TUESDAY 3 P.M. HOUR
Pledge Drive returned to the KPCW airwaves Tuesday evening with Claire Wiley as the host.
Claire was joined by leaders and coaches from Park City Ski & Snowboard (PCSS). They talked about training in the summer, getting young kids on the slopes and more!
During the 3 p.m. hour, PCSS raised $5,449, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $114,871.
TUESDAY 11 A.M. HOUR
Boundless Music Festival joined the studio for the 11 a.m. hour.
Boundless is a new event coming to Canyons Village in 2027. Tune in live to find out how to get tickets early!
During the 11 a.m. hour, Boundless Festival raised $12,290, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $109,011.
TUESDAY 10 A.M. HOUR
John Burdick entered the studio and welcomed Habitat for Humanity as the 10 a.m. guest.
Habitat for Humanity of Summit & Wasatch Counties Executive Director Shellie Barrus and President Parker Loomis talked about recent affordable housing projects in the Wasatch Back.
Habitat for Humanity hit their goal! During the hour, they raised $6,501, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $94,221.
TUESDAY 9 A.M. HOUR - $87,720 RAISED
Claire Wiley returned to the studio, joined by her This Green Earth co-host, Seth Arens.
Seth and Claire were also joined by Summit Land Conservancy CEO Cheryl Fox and Board Member Charlie Sturgis to talk about open space issues in the Wasatch Back.
Throughout the hour, Summit Land Conservancy raised $8,385, bringing the Pledge Drive total to $87,720.
TUESDAY 8 A.M. HOUR
Summer Pledge Drive returns for Day 2 with Leslie Thatcher's Local News Hour.
She was joined in the studio by leaders from Park City Mountain and Vail Resorts' charitable foundation, EpicPromise, as well as a representative from the Go Miners Foundation.
MONDAY 5 P.M. HOUR
In the final hour of the first day of KPCW's Summer Pledge Drive, host Claire Wiley welcomed the Utah Avalanche Center.
Education Manager Mack Talty and Executive Director Nazz Kurth spoke about some of the work the center does and gave tips to those who may encounter an avalanche this season.
Throughout the 5 p.m. hour, Utah Avalanche Center raised $3,450, bringing the overall Pledge Drive total to $61,519.
MONDAY 4 P.M. HOUR - $58,193 RAISED
KPCW continued its first day of Summer Pledge Drive by welcoming Hope Alliance into the studio.
Executive Director Diane Bernhardt and International Coordinator Lisa Mosher talked about some of Hope Alliance's service work abroad.
At the end of the 4 p.m. hour, Hope Alliance raised $5,676, bringing the overall Summer Pledge Drive total to $58,193.
MONDAY 3 P.M. HOUR - $52,517 RAISED
The first day of KPCW's 2026 Summer Pledge Drive returned in the afternoon with The Local View, hosted by Claire Wiley.
Claire was joined by representatives from Intermountain Health. They talked about the Heber Valley Hospital and healthcare across the Wasatch Back.
At the end of the 3 p.m. hour, Intermountain Health raised $5,653, making the Summer Pledge Drive overall total $52,517.
MONDAY 11 A.M. HOUR - $46,864 RAISED
KPCW welcomed the Park City Fire District into the studio for the 11 a.m. hour.
Community members who call in to donate can leave a message for the fire staff in the studio and hear it answered on air!
Mountainside Resort Foundation also joined in the studio as the full-day sponsor for Monday.
KPCW Summer Pledge Drive ended the 11 a.m. hour with a total of $46,864 raised and $328,136 left to reach the Pledge Drive's $375,000 goal.
MONDAY 10 A.M. HOUR
KPCW was joined by Jason Glidden, Executive Director of Mountainlands Community Housing Trust.
Glidden spoke about some of the organization's housing projects in the Wasatch Back and their goals as they move forward.
Throughout the hour, KPCW raised $8,081. The Pledge Drive totaled $44,102 at 11 a.m.
MONDAY 9 A.M. HOUR
In the second hour, KPCW welcomed members from the Promontory Foundation joined hosts of Mountain Money Roger Goldman and Kevin Kennedy in the studio.
General Manager Jonathan Fillman and Director of Outfitting Sean Smith were live in the studio.
MONDAY 8 A.M. HOUR
KPCW's 2026 Summer Pledge Drive kicked off with a major announcement from our very own Senior News Director Leslie Thatcher.
Longtime KPCW morning anchor Leslie Thatcher announced she is retiring from KPCW at the end of the year after 36 years with the station. She has helped keep the Wasatch Back informed since 1990.
KPCW's News Director Ashton Edwards and CEO Juliana Allely joined in the studio to recap some of Leslie's accomplishments and thank her for her years of service at KPCW.
Then, reporters Kristine Weller and Ulla-Britt Libre, as well as Managing Editor Jennifer Dobner stepped in to talk about the work they do in the Wasatch Back.
And near the end of the hour, Leslie spoke with KPCW reporter Connor Thomas and Grace Doerfler about their reporting in Summit and Wasatch County, respectively.
