Photos by Sarone Kelete from KZSC’s 24-hour Radio-a-thon

KZSC SANTA CRUZ 88.1 FM

Hello, Santa Cruz Work’s intern Alex here! In addition to being Santa Cruz Work’s Business & Communications intern, I am also the Social Media Coordinator at KZSC Santa Cruz — UC Santa Cruz’s con-commercial, student-run, community radio station broadcasting with 20,000 watts reaching over 3.2 million people from the UCSC campus, since 1974.

We are a volunteer-driven space, station-wide teamwork is fostered through open and transparent communication by KZSC’s Student Governing Board. KZSC promotes growth by training journalists and DJs to produce quality programs that are accurate, relevant, well-produced and regularly reviewed. DJ’s are trained through credited classes that cover the key aspects of radio programming, audio production, and journalism.

In order to cover operational costs for the 2026-2027 school year KZSC must raise $50,000 total, $25,000 was raised during the annual Fall Fundraiser this past November. Now KZSC’s annual Spring Fundraiser is upon us! This past week of fundraising efforts has allowed us to reach 70% of our goal of $25,000. Donations are tax deductible and can be made on the KZSC website. Merchandise incentives for donations are available online as well.

Donate Here

On Sunday April 26th, KZSC hosted our 3rd annual Spring Fundraiser 24-hour Radio-a-thon, programming non-stop, live on air for 24-hours straight from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. on Monday morning.

Some of the special programs include:

Exclusive solo performance from musician Frankie Cosmos
Live Tiny Couch Concert series performance
Songwriting showcase with 10 local artists
Live on-air tattooing with a local tattoo artist
Alumni Interviews — including NPR’s very own Jesse Thorn
Radio theatre performance of Macbeth
And more!

With donations given KZSC will be able to:

Meet UCSC device requirements and purchase new computers for the station
Pay operational costs
Repair and replace microphones, air room boards, wiring, and more
Host and collaborate on events for the community
Send staff members to the annual UC Radio Network (UCRN) conference
Continue providing special programming to Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties.

KZSC provides a vital space for leadership, exchange of knowledge and self-expression, and we need your help to continue doing so. Please consider donating or supporting our on air efforts, and check out our 2026 Spring Program Guide for the full list of shows that will be on air until June.

KZSC will be tabling at May Day Festival at Pie Ranch in Pescadero on May 2nd and 3rd, come say hi!

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