KCSM-FM 91.1 in San Mateo is facing money problems, KTVU and the San Mateo County Times reports. The station is licensed to the San Mateo County Community College District but has received the bulk of its funding from listeners for years. But a 12 percent chunk of its operating budget expected from the college district fell through this year when the district experienced deep cuts from the state.
The station’s recent pledge drive drew more donations than ever, but it is still trying to bridge a $30,000 gap by June 30, when its fiscal year ends and the school has to decide whether to keep the station running.
To raise the money, Yoshi’s in Oakland will host a trio of solo pianists spanning three generations of Bay Area jazz piano playing to support the station June 30.
The station has a $1.5 million operating budget. It has five full-time employees and many part-timers. With the decision last month by KKSF to switch from jazz to adult contemporary, KCSM is the last jazz station in the Bay Area. It is also one of a handful of jazz stations nationwide.