FCC Gives Noncommercial Stations Greater Fundraising Flexibility

The Federal Communications Commission today voted to relax its third-party fundraising restrictions to permit many noncommercial television and radio stations to air limited fundraisers for the benefit of other non-profit organizations. Noncommercial educational broadcasters (NCEs) – such as public and religious broadcasters – have long been free to solicit funds to support their own operations, including through program-length fundraising events. However, until now, such broadcasters could only conduct on-air fundraising for third parties if they received an FCC waiver or the fundraising activity did not alter or suspend regular programming. Historically, waivers were temporary and given only after a crisis or natural disaster. Today’s action relaxes these rules to permit NCEs to devote up to one percent of their annual airtime to fundraising for third-party organizations that qualify as tax-exempt non-profits under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, without having to first seek a waiver from the FCC.