Our Mission to Save Ken’s FM by August 31st, 2026 - For nearly 14 years, KNNZ 89.1 FM - affectionately known as Ken’s FM - was a sanctuary on the Fargo-Moorhead airwaves. Founded by our friend, the late radio engineer and legendary local broadcaster Ken Bartz, the station stood as a defiant alternative to the same ol' commercial radio heard elsewhere on the dial ("Our philosophy is very simple: if it's not alternative, it sucks!"). Ken's FM was a station built on an irreplaceable foundation, all by Ken himself. We had hand-picked favorites from Ken's own 'Vault of Vinyl,' alongside an eclectic blend of ’80s New Wave, ’90s Alternative, the 'hottest Modern Rock on the planet,' and everything in between.

Ken also emphasized an unwavering commitment to showcasing 'homegrown' local artists and musicians throughout the day, even in-studio performances during his live flagship show on late Saturday nights, 'Modern Rock Worldwide.' This, alongside original programming such as 'Your First Listen,' 'Adam's Archive,' 'Rock & Roll Space Station,' 'Nineties Nebula,' and more. Creatively, we've be able to do things on this station that wouldn't fly elsewhere!

After we lost Ken in July 2025, our 100,000-watt terrestrial FM signal went dark. Our small dedicated team took it upon ourselves to keep the KNNZ 24/7 online livestream pumping. But, a digital stream cannot replace that pure magic of a true, warm and fuzzy FM broadcast only found on a car radio during a commute, a boombox in the garage, or that living room stereo. That comforting, ubiquitous FM signal cannot be replicated via apps.

Now, the future of this independent pillar of the local airwaves is ENTIRELY in the community's hands! Pioneer Public Broadcasting is dedicated to live on and continue Ken's ultimate vision of providing the coolest radio station around.

The GOAL - We are launching this official rescue mission to legally acquire KNNZ from Ken's estate, and restore the physical FM signal (from our transmitter site near Barnesville) for Fargo-Moorhead and the Lakes area.

However, WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME! Our FM transmitter is currently inactive under a temporary FCC Silent STA window. This means we have been granted permission until September to go silent in the aftermath of Ken's passing. We have until August 31, 2026, to secure the funds and execute the buyout before the historic 89.1 frequency is lost forever. To achieve this, we have designed a highly transparent, two-phase legal acquisition strategy:

Phase 1 - Baseline Goal: $50,000 - This MANDATORY threshold is what we still need to legally purchase the essential station assets, including the official FCC broadcast license, the vital tower/transmitter site infrastructure, studio equipment, and Ken's existing music library.

Phase 2 - The Ultimate Dream Stretch Studio Goal: $250,000 - If we can miraculously push past our baseline target of $50,000, the remaining $200,000 will be used to purchase Ken's HISTORIC North Fargo studio and house outright. This ensures we can permanently preserve the basement radio studio, protect its unique live-performance acoustics, and guarantee the station never faces the threat of relocation or closing up forever.

We don't just want to save Ken's FM. We want to grow it into the powerhouse Ken always dreamed it could be! Once the FM signal is secure, our ultimate goal is to transition from a volunteer-run operation to a sustainable, core staff. Our future plans also include the addition of a recording studio which shall be accessible to area recording artists. PLUS, we also have some exciting, short-term programming plans that can't be revealed just yet, but you're in for a treat if we can raise the funds!!

A Call to Major Donors & Angel Investors - In the past, Ken’s FM survived and thrived thanks to incredible individuals who stepped up with massive contributions. If you are a past major donor, a local music advocate, or an angel investor with deep pockets who can give thousands at once, we need you now more than ever. A sizable donation today could immediately secure this station’s survival and permanently protect the independent airwaves.

Beyond KNNZ's Acquisition - As you know, it still costs money to operate a radio station, even a small, independent one like Ken's FM. Our MONTHLY BUDGET alone is CRITICAL to "keep the lights on." We've been fortunate enough to pay out of our own pocket this past year to keep the 24/7 livestream active, but that's only a fraction of what it takes to fully power a 100-kW transmitter site and keep everything running smoothly.

We need to emphasize that this GoFundMe campaign is strictly to clear the hurdle of acquiring the KNNZ assets to resume operation on the FM airwaves. Once the infrastructure is legally ours, the battle shifts to KEEPING the power on (as we've always called it, "POWER THE TOWER.") Our transmitter site electricity bill alone costs at least $1,000 EVERY SINGLE MONTH just to stay powered. A realistic baseline of $1,500-$2,000 a month is required to cover baseline operations, which includes transmitter power, ongoing equipment maintenance, building utilities, Internet service for remote access, and mandatory non-profit music licensing fees. The reality of radio is that if one part blows out, it needs replacing to keep the FM signal alive and on-air.

Calling All Area Businesses! - While we can't legally set up or activate new local on-air sponsorships until we officially secure the station assets first, we are building a "reboot" roster right now. Once we are up and running on the 89.1 FM signal again, our immediate priority will be showcasing the area businesses who commit as little as $150/month in underwriting partnerships to keep community radio alive via Ken's FM. You'll join other longtime sponsors such as Breadsmith of Fargo, DJ Colter Agency, Elevated Concrete & Snow Removal, Joe Irby Law Firm, and The Shack on Broadway (only a few blocks north of the KNNZ studios!).

Long-Term Sustainability - Upon the success of our GoFundMe campaign, a new KNNZ Patreon & "Ken’s FM Club" will also be launched for the monthly survival of the station. In the past, Ken always asked listeners for simple donations via PayPal. While we will continue utilizing that for one-time donations, we MUST rely entirely on ongoing community support through sustaining pledges/memberships.

Separate from this initial $50K fundraiser, we will be establishing a dedicated KNNZ Patreon platform to establish a reliable, monthly membership base. Patreon will allow loyal listeners to step up as sustaining members, keeping the station algorithm-free and independent forever! Humans helping humans for that "human touch" that is SO important to local public radio in Fargo-Moorhead. No A.I. DJs here! To thank our monthly sustainers, we will be offering exclusive station merch (t-shirts, stickers, magnets, pins, etc.) and an authentic, printed "Ken’s FM Club" Certificate.

How You Can Help:

Make a GoFundMe Pledge TODAY!! - Every dollar brings us closer to keeping the airwaves independent, authentic, and algorithm-free.

Share the Signal!! - Pass this campaign along to every fellow music lover, commuter, and local arts advocate in the Red River Valley, Lakes Area, and beyond. Use that social media to spread the word!

Let’s turn the 89.1 FM signal's power back on once and for all, protect Ken’s incredible legacy, keep his longtime vision alive, and let homegrown rock & roll stay on the radio dial!

REMEMBER, WE ONLY HAVE UNTIL AUGUST 31st, 2026 TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN!!!

***PLEASE NOTE: IF WE DON'T REACH OUR FUNDRAISING GOAL, ALL DONATIONS WILL BE REFUNDED. THIS IS AN ALL-OR-NOTHING CAMPAIGN AND WE WILL NOT KEEP ANY OF THE FUNDS IF WE CAN'T HIT $50K!***

Support the Ken's FM rescue mission today! More information is available at our official website and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KensFm891.