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Public television�s donor dollars rise Southern Oregon Public Television�s support base continues to grow, with local sources contributing 11 percent more in 2000 than they did in 1999. The nonprofit organization�s development revenues � the money raised locally � rose to $670,212 in fiscal 2000 from $602,098 in fiscal 1999, according to Joy Olson, station development director. Local donations from individuals and businesses made up more than half of the station�s operating budget of $1,018,067 for fiscal 2000, which ended June 30. "I�m really thrilled at our numbers," says Olson. She notes that SOPTV�s growth comes at a time when public broadcasting stations nationwide are losing ground to cable channel competitors such as The History Channel and the Discovery Channel. "We are doing better than average," she says. Members pay annual dues of $35 to support the station. SOPTV�s member renewal rate for 2000 was 90 percent, meaning nearly all those who paid to be members in 1999 did so again in 2000. "We are especially pleased with our renewal rate because the average PBS renewal rate is 69 percent," says Olson. SOPTV�s renewal rate for 1999 was 75.7 percent, Olson says. "The people that appreciate the kind of programming we have are very loyal to it," she says. Members contributed $536,700 in dues and pledges for fiscal 2000, up 8 percent. The number of members grew 4.7 percent, from 5,867 to 6,121. Business support was also substantially stronger, showing growth of 26.5 percent. Revenues climbed from $105,570 to $133,512. Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA