Frequently Asked Questions
Membership FAQs
- Becoming a Member
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How do I join OPB and what are the membership options?
You can find out more about membership and membership levels on our Support Page.
OPB receives financial contributions from more than 100,000 individuals and families each year who share a common desire to support the educational and cultural contributions OPB makes to the communities of Oregon and southwest Washington. Our mission is to give voice to the community, connect Oregon and its neighbors and illuminate a wider world, and we work to fulfill this commitment every day through the quality content of our radio and TV programming, and the OPB and OPB News Web sites. Membership benefits, which include the monthly Member Guide via mail, begin with a contribution of $35 or more; benefits for seniors 65 or older begin at $25. Higher membership levels offer additional benefits, including special events, tours and receptions.
How much do members, businesses and government each contribute to the OPB operating budget?
Contributions from members account for 64 percent of OPB's operating budget, a higher figure than at any point in our past. Corporate support amounts to 16 percent. Federal government support, via the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Public Broadcasting Service, amounts to 14 percent. A final six percent comes from sales, services and other sources.
Why does OPB need to have membership drives and pledge breaks?
Almost two-thirds of OPB's operating budget comes from individual membership contributions from viewers and listeners. While a significant portion of member donations come through mail solicitation and automatic renewals, on-air drives allow OPB to attract the largest number of new and renewing members in the most efficient and effective way possible. Though new members are an essential part of OPB's long-term financial health, the length of membership drives is kept to the minimum that will allow us to reach our goals. OPB's membership drive format is based on own experiences, as well as the shared experiences of public broadcasters throughout the country.
- Understanding My Account
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How do I make changes to my membership or correct errors in my account?
Contact the Member Center through our online form, by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays from 9am-4pm or by mail at OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219. We'll be happy to make any changes or corrections to your membership account, as well as answer your questions about membership issues.
How do I tell when my membership expires or find my membership number?
The address label on your monthly Member Guide makes it very simple: It lists your member number followed by the expiration date of your membership. For example: "1234567 expiration date 05/01/2008." (Note: Membership numbers vary in length and can be up to seven digits long.)
How much of my membership contribution is tax deductible?
Your membership contribution is fully tax deductible once you have subtracted the fair market value of any thank-you gifts you received. Your pledge confirmation letter, sent one to two months after your pledge, lets you know that amount.
Does my employer match my membership contribution?
If you work for, or are retired from, one of the companies listed here, any contribution you make to OPB becomes even more valuable. Your employer will match your gift dollar for dollar, or perhaps even double or triple the amount of your gift, at no cost to you. Ask your human resources department for a matching gift form, then complete it and mail it to OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.
If your company does not have a matching gift program for OPB, we'll be happy to help get one started. Ask your organization to give us a call at 503.293.1955 or 800.241.8123.
Why did I receive a call asking me to renew my OPB membership?
Occasionally OPB hires an outside phone service specializing in non-profit organizations and public broadcasters to contact our lapsed members and ask them to renew their memberships. Maintaining an in-house phone campaign staff would be more expensive than hiring a professional service for those times when we need them. As a result, this more efficient use of our fund-raising budget allows the highest amount to go directly into our operating budget.
Even though you may be on the national "Do not call" list, its regulations do allow charitable organizations to call. Of course, we'll be glad to code your account at OPB so you won't be called on our behalf again — please let us know by contacting us through our online form, by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays from 9am-4pm or by mail at OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.
- Thank-You Gifts
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Why hasn't my thank-you gift arrived and how do I find out its status?
In order to ensure that the maximum amount of your contribution goes to support OPB, we don't maintain a surplus of thank-you gift inventory. (As a non-profit organization, we operate under financial constraints and priorities different from those of a retail business.) Once a membership drive has ended, and we have a firm count of thank-you gifts requested, we place orders to fulfill those pledges. As items arrive at our shipping house near Portland, they're mailed promptly to members. Generally, this process takes six to eight weeks from the end of a membership drive, though many items arrive sooner. If you are concerned about the status of your gift, please contact the Member Center through our online form, by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays 9am-4pm or by mail at OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.
Why are new members offered thank-you gifts that weren't offered to me?
OPB, like most other public broadcasters, offers thank-you gifts during membership drives because we have found them to be the most effective way to significantly increase the number of people who respond with support. Gifts vary from drive to drive as the programs change, but if you have made donations within the previous year for which you did not request a gift, you always have the option to "spend" that contribution on a newly offered gift at your pledge level — just let us know your wishes by calling 800.241.8123. (If you don't request a gift, the full amount of your contribution goes directly into OPB's budget.)
Why don't I get a membership card anymore?
Due to the increasing costs of printing and distribution, OPB discontinued the use of printed membership cards several years ago. In lieu of cards, we now offer a number of special member discount coupons in every issue of the monthly OPB Member Guide.
- Mailings & Publications
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How do I keep my name and address from being shared with others?
To expand our membership base and build support for OPB, we periodically exchange some of our donors' names and addresses with other non-profits we believe our members may have an interest in. (There is no exchange beyond simple name and address.) If you would prefer your name not be included on our exchange list, please let us know and we'll be glad to remove it. You can contact us through our online form, by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays 9am-4pm or by mail at OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.
How do I limit the mail I get from OPB?
Our goal is to customize our mailings to your preferences. Please let us know if you'd like a single renewal reminder or if you would prefer not to receive additional mailings during the year, and we'll mark your account accordingly. You can contact us through our online form, by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays 9am-4pm or by mail at OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.
How do I sign up for OPB's e-mail newsletters?
The OPB Web site has a newsletter sign-up page.
Why didn't my OPB Member Guide arrive this month?
Your OPB membership includes a subscription to the monthly OPB Member Guide, unless you request not to receive it. Every month a small number of Member Guides do not arrive at their destinations. Some may have been sent to outdated addresses and not forwarded by the Post Office. If you are a member and have not received your guide at the first of the month, please call the Member Center at 800.241.8123 or write us via our online form, and we'll send you a replacement immediately. If you have not received your Member Guide for several months in a row, your membership may have been coded as "no Guide" in error. We'll be glad to correct your account; please let us know.
How does OPB survey its members to find out their opinions?
Public feedback and response are an essential part of the decision-making process at OPB. OPB conducts an annual survey of members via mail and our Web site. We also solicit further audience feedback through e-mail newsletters and our online feedback form which allows you to write us at any time. We measure audience size and listening habits through the radio and TV rating services to which we subscribe. Finally, we log, consolidate and analyze all phone calls, e-mails and letters received throughout the year.
- Other Ways to Give
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How do I contribute to OPB through a gift of stock or securities?
Charitable gifts of appreciated securities can provide tremendous tax benefits to OPB members. You may avoid paying capital gains and qualify for a current tax deduction for the current fair market value of the asset, regardless of the original price paid for the stock. Check with your tax advisor for special tax benefits, and contact Julie Arnzen, Cornerstone Society manager, at 503.977.7765 for transfer information.
A contribution form is available here. (PDF download)
Find out about other ways to give
How do I contribute to OPB through a will or living trust?
Over the years, OPB has received some of its most notable commitments in the form of bequests. Gifts through a bequest or living trust leave a legacy that will inform and educate future generations for years to come.
You may choose to make an outright bequest to OPB by leaving a specific dollar amount or a percentage of your estate. Some people leave the residue or part of the residue of their estates. Find out how to include OPB in your will or trust
Your bequest intention qualifies you for membership in the Wyllis Johnson Legacy Society and special invitations to OPB events and previews. For additional information, please call Julie Feely, director of Gift Planning, at 503.293.1941.
If you would like to receive a copy of Visions, our free gift planning newsletter, please e-mail Julie Feely or give her a call at 503.293.1941.
Find out about other ways to give
How do I donate a vehicle to OPB?
You can help support OPB's programs and services by donating a vehicle that you no longer need or use. OPB's vehicle donation program handles all of the details at no charge to you.
Find out about other ways to give
How do I volunteer at OPB?
OPB is supported by more than 2,000 active volunteers who contribute in essential ways to every department. You can find out more and apply online at our Volunteer Information Page. You can also e-mail our volunteer coordinator or call 503.293.1907.
- Contacting Us
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How do I contact the Member Center?
You can contact us by e-mail or by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays from 9am-4pm. You can also send mail to OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219.
Why did I get an answering machine when I called during business hours?
Our Member Center staff answers phones at 800.241.8123 from 9am-4pm weekdays, but there are inevitably times when everyone is on the phone or otherwise occupied. (Some times of the year can be particularly busy — during and immediately after membership drives or the month of December, for example.)
If you are transferred to our voicemail system, please leave a message and your call will be forwarded to an appropriate staff member, who may begin relevant research before calling you back. We try very hard to return calls on the same day we receive them. While it may be frustrating to reach our voicemail system instead of a staff member, this helps us make the most effective use of Member Center staff, our budget and your membership dollars.
- Other Questions
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How do I find the answer to a question that's not part of this list?
If you have a question that is not answered here, contact the OPB Member Center by e-mail or by phone at 800.241.8123 weekdays from 9am-4pm. You can reach us by mail at OPB Member Center, 7140 SW Macadam Avenue, Portland, OR 97219. We'll do our best to find your answer.
- Oregon Public Broadcasting:
- 7140 SW Macadam Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97219-3099 - Business Hours:
8am-5pm Mon-Fri - 503.244.9900
- Map & Directions
