<div>Since 1987, WCTV (Wilmington Community Television) has been a vital part of Wilmington. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we’ve connected, informed, and uplifted our community for nearly 40 years.
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<div>Over the last three years, WCTV has reinvented itself to thrive in the digital age—and today, we are more essential than ever.
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<div>The Biggest Marketer for Wilmington
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<div>WCTV is Wilmington’s largest marketing engine—for both the public schools and the town as a whole.
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<div>- Wilmington Public Schools face declining enrollment, and WCTV has stepped up. Last year, we produced 500+ videos for the schools, the equivalent of $1.2 million in marketing value through highlights, features, and social campaigns.
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<div>- For the town overall, Wilmington is working to attract new families and businesses to grow its tax base. WCTV is leading that effort. In 2024, our videos promoting Wilmington generated 5 million+ views online.
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<div>- If WCTV were a private company, our total work for Wilmington last year alone would be valued at $3.2 million.
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<div>We don’t just connect Wilmington to itself—we connect Wilmington to the outside world.
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<div>Youth: The Heart of WCTV
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<div>Our youth program is the flagship of everything we do.
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<div>- 100+ students each year gain hands-on training in videography, digital marketing, and podcasting.
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<div>- In a town with no rec center, youth center, or community center, WCTV has become that hub: a safe space where students create, collaborate, study, and build lifelong friendships.
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<div>- Past strategic plans once suggested cutting youth programming—but we’ve grown it instead, because we believe it is essential.
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<div>What We’ve Accomplished—Even With Less
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<div>Despite shrinking revenue, WCTV has never cut back. In fact, we’ve done more:
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<div>- 1,100+ videos in 2024 (historically, WCTV never produced more than 300 in-house in a single year).
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<div>- On pace for 1,200+ videos in 2025.
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<div>- Award-winning sports coverage reached 5.4 million online views, including 4 million football views.
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<div>We’ve also pushed harder than ever on fundraising:
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<div>- Generated $40,000+ in 2024 from sponsorships and paid productions (WCTV had never made more than $2,000 from sponsorships in the past).
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<div>- Projecting another $40,000+ in 2025.
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<div>But no matter how hard we push, we cannot keep pace with the collapse of cable franchise fees.
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<div>The Broken Funding Model
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<div>- WCTV is not taxpayer funded and receives no direct town support.
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<div>- Our only revenue comes from Comcast and Verizon cable sales in Wilmington.
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<div>- In the last 10 years, WCTV has lost the equivalent of 40% of its revenue once inflation is factored in.
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<div>- In the last five years alone, revenue dropped from $560,000 to $448,000.
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<div>- Meanwhile, rent and utilities have soared (utilities have tripled in 10 years), and equipment costs have skyrocketed nearly 10x. A broadcast server that cost $29,000 in 2016 now costs $59,000.
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<div>If we leaned even more heavily on sponsorships and commercial production, WCTV would start to lose the community-driven heart and soul that makes it unique.
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<div>Our Plan
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<div>We are not standing still. WCTV is actively working with the Town of Wilmington and other partners on a long-term stability plan. That includes:
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<div>- Exploring a move to a smaller or town-owned space
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<div>- Aggressive cost-saving measures
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<div>- Expanding diverse revenue streams
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<div>- Pursuing new funding opportunities
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<div>But while those long-term plans take shape, we face an immediate short-term gap.
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<div>Our Goal: $10,000
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<div>This GoFundMe aims to raise $10,000 to help us bridge the gap this year.
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<div>Your support will allow us to:
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<div>- Keep youth programs running at full strength
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<div>- Continue school, sports, government, and community coverage without cuts
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<div>- Offset rising operational costs (rent, utilities, equipment)
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<div>- Begin replacing failing infrastructure like our broadcast server
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<div>How You Can Help
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<div>- Donate if you are able.
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<div>- Share this campaign with friends, family, alumni, and local businesses.
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<div>- Spread the word: WCTV matters, and Wilmington cannot afford to lose it.
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<div>WCTV has been part of Wilmington for nearly 40 years. We’ve grown, evolved, and proven that local media can thrive in the modern age.
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<div>With your help, we can continue serving Wilmington for decades to come.
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<div> Please donate and help us reach our $10,000 goal.
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<div>Thank you for supporting youth, schools, and community.
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Support Wilmington Community TV's Impact

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Still $9,150 to go. Help us build momentum.