Charity Begins At Home By Helping The BFOA

By tradition, general managers of TV stations are generally good local citizens, supporting charities and other nonprofits by publicizing their activities, encouraging participation by others and sometimes sitting on their boards. I imagine it also means writing a check to these causes every once in awhile.

Contributing to the community is good business. It connects the station to powerful civic and business leaders who can benefit the station.

And such involvement is simply good, done for its own sake.

But GMs belong to another community, the community of broadcasters. And it has its own charity, the Broadcasters Foundation of America.

The BFOA is not complicated. It raises money from broadcasters with money and then disburses it to other broadcasters badly in need of some.

Last year, it handed out $850,000  to one-time broadcasters — to those, according to BFOA’s latest ask, “who have been overtaken by poor health, sudden debilitating ailments and the unforeseen ‘diminishments’ we all suffer.”

To raise that kind of money, it hosts events — a fancy black-tie dinner in New York in February (The Golden Mike Award), a smaller business casual breakfast during the NAB Show in the spring and a celebrity golf tournament in the fall. Broadcasting & Cable kicks in part of the proceeds from its Hall of Fame dinner each October.

BFOA President Jim Thompson and members of the BFOA board led by Chairman Phil Lombardo will also put the touch on the station groups and wealthy broadcasters.

What the BFOA has not managed to do with much success thus far is persuade GMs and other station managers to chip in.

So, on the eve of this great American holiday, I appeal to the GMs to write a check to the BFOA and send it to Jim Thompson at 125 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019. Or, you can use your credit card to donate at broadcastersfoundation.org.

The best argument for why you should give is contained in some of the thank yous the BFOA has received recently:

“While lying in hospital bed last January, my daughter … read me my mail, and within the mail was your lovely, life-saving, generous letter assuring me of the Broadcasters Foundation of America’s continued support. OH MY GOD! It brought true tears of joy to my eyes, and … your compassion, as I lay in hospital bed, [was] some very, very warm news indeed. And what perfect timing!” — Talk show host

“I got set back on the medical expense side pretty heavily. It becomes more bills on payment plans, but without the BFOA I would be in a hole that I could never come out of. It’s never pretty, but I keep on trying to get to a better place. One day I am going to make it. I want to thank everyone involved in helping me. It sustains me and inspires me to try. One day I won’t need [the BFOA’s support] anymore and hopefully on that day I can contribute back. That is the only thing motivating me.” — Radio business manager

“Yes, you and the foundation even affect the quality of my life, psychologically by making me more upbeat, energetic and creative. What your grant does for me is amazing. By some kind of osmosis, it makes me feel close to the people and profession I love and thus more lively, upbeat and confident.” — Radio and TV writer, producer and host

“God bless you for sticking with me all of these years and allowing me to have a sense of peace and security. I am crying as I write this because I simply do not know what I would do without all of you.” — TV broadcaster

“Thank you all for your support, your compassion and your assistance. We wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the assistance received from the Broadcasters Foundation of America. May God bless all of you.” — Announcer, program manager, promotion manager

“A simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t begin to express our appreciation for what you have done for us. This is a tough road we walk, and you have made it a bit easier to walk. The BFOA is one of the blessings that I thank God for every night.… Your help truly is a gift from God.” — TV traffic manager

“Once again I can’t thank you and the foundation enough for this financial help. I’d be lost without it. As you know I’m without a family to help me along so the Foundation has become my support.” — Drive time DJ

“What you may not realize is that each day is still a struggle. I have done my best to keep the family happy, stable and positive. The BFOA has played a huge role in that, thanks to your support.” — Widow of radio announcer and program director

Among the things I have learned in covering the TV business over the past three decades plus is that broadcasters are a distinct tribe. They are not cable or satellite operators and they are certainly not online video distributors. They have their own deeply rooted culture, their own way of thinking and doing things.

That culture clearly calls on GMs to support local charities to the extent that their time and resources allow. And they do, magnificently. I would hope the culture evolves so that they also feel obliged to take care of their own through the BFOA.

Harry A. Jessell is editor of TVNewsCheck. He can be contacted at 973-701-1067 or [email protected]. You can read earlier columns here.