How 50+ Local Nonprofits Were Helped By Rochester Radio Stations

You may flip on one of our radio stations in Rochester on your way to work or scroll through one of the latest stories that we wrote on our websites without giving any thought what happens behind the scenes.

At Townsquare Media, where this radio station calls home, some of the most important moments in our building have nothing to do with music.

The big moments happen when someone walks through our doors with a story.

It might be a story from a local nonprofit that is realizing their shelves are almost empty. Unless they have someone to help them spread the word that they need donations ASAP, those shelves will still be empty when people in our community show up needing help.

I've sat next to a mom who has watched her child battle cancer for years. One Christmas, their family had gifts under the tree because of a local organization. Today, she is giving back to that organization and serving on that same nonprofit so other families facing that same heartbreak can have a little bit of hope, too.

Our studio doors are open to people who have stories about abuse, addiction, disabilities, homelessness, hunger, illnesses and so much more.

Sometimes when they are sitting behind the microphone, they are nervous. Sometimes the emotions are difficult to hold back.

But they find the courage to start talking.

And when they do, we hit record.

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Local Radio Is About More Than Music. It's About Community

It's easy to think of a radio station as simply a place to hear your favorite songs, catch the morning show or get the latest weather and traffic. But local radio is also one of the most powerful ways to tell people what's happening in our own community.

For a nonprofit, that microphone can become a megaphone.

Jessica On The Radio - TSM/The Landing MN/Canva

Giving Local Nonprofits a Louder Voice

In 2026 alone, Townsquare Media in Rochester has helped more than 35 local nonprofits share their messages through public service announcements airing across multiple Rochester-area radio stations.

That's more than 11,000 opportunities for someone to hear about a cause, event, volunteer opportunity or urgent need they may not have known even existed.

Someone making breakfast might hear about a free family-friendly event where their kid could get a free book.

Someone driving down Highway 52 might have heard that the Gift of Life Transplant House was out of soap for their guests and donations were needed ASAP.

A parent might hear about an organization that can help their child.

Someone who has been looking for a way to volunteer might finally hear the name of an organization that feels like the right fit.

And sometimes, that's all it takes.

A 30-second message on the radio can connect the person who needs help with the organization that can provide it.

grey microphone on stand in room — Photo by Jacob Hodgson on Unsplash

The Microphone Is Just One Piece Of The Puzzle

Our radio stations aren't the only way we can help amplify these voices.

Our websites reach millions of people every month, giving local nonprofits another opportunity to tell their stories and connect with the community.

So far in 2026, our team has published more than 50 stories highlighting local nonprofits and the work they are doing in our community.

Every story is another opportunity for someone to discover a cause.
Every Facebook post can be shared with a friend.
Every comment can start a conversation.
Every share can put a nonprofit in front of someone who desperately need to find them

A microphone. A camera. A website. A Facebook page. A few minutes of airtime. Sometimes those things seem small, but when you put them all together in front of thousands of people, they become something bigger...and something that can have a massive impact for good in our community.

And that's where the impact becomes difficult to measure.

We can count PSA's.

We can count stories.

We can count impressions and digital reach.

But we can't always count the person who heard a PSA and decided to volunteer.
We don't always know about the person who saw a Facebook post and made a donation.
We may never hear from the family who finally found an organization that could help them out because they happened to see a story online at exactly the right moment.

Those are the moments that matter most.

The Numbers That Tell Part Of The Story

Last year, our Townsquare Media team in Rochester donated more than $1,115,520 in public service announcement advertising for local nonprofits.

Our digital storytelling, website reach and app alerts contributed to more than $147,000 in digital marketing support.

And, through our support, promotion and partnerships with local nonprofits in our area, we helped nonprofits in Southeast Minnesota raise over $3,337,000.

Those are big numbers...and we are just honored to help our community.

Townsquare Cares — Townsquare Media Rochester

Townsquare Media Rochester Is Local. And We Care

We don't live in another state...we are right here in Southeast Minnesota.

We live here. We work here. We raise our families here.

We're eating at the same restaurants as you. We are at the soccer and football games. We're at community events. We're sitting next to you.

When something happens near Rochester, it affects us, too.

So when a nonprofit reaches out and asks for help getting the word out, this isn't just another e-mail in our inbox. This is an opportunity to use the tools we have to help.

Because local radio isn't just about music. It is about community.

Townsquare Media Cares About Our Community

If you are a nonprofit and would like to learn more about our Townsquare Cares program, please reach out to us at our Townsquare Cares Request Form here.