Working with charities and local groups is a valuable and worthwhile activity for any business.
There are many organisations in Milton Keynes that use their CSR spend to do just that. MKFM, as a not-for-profit group, supports charities and good causes across the city. But it can only do that with partners’ help, says its director.
Milton Keynes’ radio station and news agency MKFM is a not-for-profit organisation, and proud of it. Being NFP allows the media group to keep the community entertained and informed on regional issues, and crucially, to support charities and local organisations carry out their work.
MKFM’s goal is to provide a radio service which is the first choice for listening in its target community and to use that audience to provide social gain by promoting and supporting the work of local charities and community groups.
It also has within its mandate, a target of helping local businesses, entertainers and sports teams to thrive and succeed across MK. Organisations such as MKFM exist to further good causes and community initiatives and, rather than generating private profit for itself, plough the funds it generates back into its mission and not distribute it as profit.
It does this by supporting local events – and organising its own – that promote and draw attention to local charitable causes, through its radio broadcasts, news and feature coverage, plus the hugely popular Meet of MK monthly business networking gatherings.
Helping local charities and initiatives
That monthly meeting is just one of a series of positive features that come as part of being one of MKFM’s Principal Partners, allowing companies to invest in the station, safe in the knowledge that their funding will help to support charities and causes across Milton Keynes.
It’s ideal for businesses that have the same values as MKFM, who are respected in the community and who would like to further grow local awareness of their CSR spending across Milton Keynes’ towns and villages.
“We are self-funding, so we need to work with partners to allow us to achieve our goals,” says Jo Ronan, director MKFM. “Any person or business who supports us as a partner is allowing us to give something back to the community.
“And in return for that collaboration, they get benefits in terms of their business here in Milton Keynes, and in the networking and relationship building opportunities with other organisations.
“We do a lot of charitable work and with partners’ support we can do more. Charities connecting with businesses is a good thing. I like to think of this as a win-win situation for us all.”
Supporting the radio station
There’s no doubt the support of MKFM’s Principal Partners has been vital this year, adds Jo Ronan. As increasing numbers of local people have relied on the station’s homegrown and up to the minute information, and demand on the news and broadcasting offerings have gone up, the backing from Principal Partners has allowed MKFM’s team to continue delivering services to the local community. And MKFM has continually increased its local coverage both on the radio and online.
“Over the last 12 months our web traffic and listeners have shown continued growth and, in addition to our usual coverage, the station has been able to support more charities, continue news coverage online and on air, and offer website support of local services,” says Jo Ronan.
“We highlight work opportunities across the MK Jobs section and have introduced initiatives that recognise and reward local people. None of this would have been possible without Principal Partner support this year.”
Benefits of partner membership
It’s not all give and no receive back in the Principal Partnership scheme. There are many benefits to being a partner with MKFM, among them:
- ‘Principal Partners’ display in MKFM’s studio reception
- Logo on the Principal Partners banner
- Dedicated area on the website homepage
- Logo on thousands of email signatures
- On-air recognition and credits
- Broadcast of press releases and key messages
- Access to studio time for radio interviews
- A radio advert fully scripted and produced
- Four weeks’ airtime on MKFM
- Social media coverage to deliver key messages
- Invitations to attend events with MKFM
- Tickets to MKFM’s monthly ‘Meet of MK’ event
