Vancouver, BC — On Thursday, February 25th, independent broadcaster and publisher CiTR 101.9FM will launch its annual Fundrive with the goal of raising $40,000 in donations. This year’s theme is ‘Growing Our Cultures’, which asks listeners, family and friends to support training and development opportunities at CiTR and Discorder Magazine. From 12 pm on February 25 until 9:30 pm on March 3, CiTR DJs will be urging listeners day and night to call in or visit citr.ca to donate. People can also support the campaign by attending the Fundrive Finale on Friday, March 4, which doubles as a release party for the CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation, Vol. 4 LP.

“With so many communities and cultures represented on our radio, whether it’s language or genre, CiTR is already supporting the multitude of niches that exist in Vancouver,” explains Brenda Grunau, Station Manager. Through this year’s Fundrive, we want to invest more in training and development to grow more writers, more broadcasters, and improve the quality of our on-air programming.”

Every day, CiTR signs up new members, teaches them how to use microphones, edit audio, write about music and cover topics vital to the local community. Last year, CiTR offered 386 hours of training and 7 workshops to 450 students and community members interested in sharing their music, stories and local perspectives. More training and support means better programs – better research, better audio, deeper analysis, more informative and entertaining — all from an independent, local perspective.

“Being at CiTR has been as important to my university experience as the rest of it, if not more,” adds Erik Coates, Student Executive President. “Having these tools, opportunities, mechanisms allow for people to develop in a variety of different ways. I’ve benefited from the great opportunities here at CiTR, and would like to create more opportunities for more people. Donating will help us achieve that.”

People can donate to CiTR’s Fundrive by calling 604-822-8648 (UBC-UNIT) or visiting citr.ca/donate. Donors will receive Fundrive swag, including CiTR & Discorder growlers, notebooks and tote bags, and special show prizes.

CiTR is also teaming up with Mint Records to release another record on Friday, February 26 – the CiTR Pop Alliance Compilation, Vol. 4. The fourth installment of the Pop Alliance series, this compilation was curated by a team of CiTR DJs who picked 11 Vancouver bands to fill the album’s waxy grooves. Only 500 of these vinyl LPs will be pressed, available during and after CiTR’s annual Fundrive for $15, with proceeds going to the Fundrive total. Visit citr.ca/popalliance to order an LP or digital download.

This year’s Fundive Finale will be the release party for the Pop Alliance Vol. 4 LP, with performances by bands on the compilation including Mourning Coup, Stefana Fratila, Late Spring, Ora Cogan, Ace Martens, Jerk Jails and Cult Babies. The Fundrive Finale will also feature CiTR DJs and a silent auction at the Hindenburg, 23 West Cordova, on Friday, March 4. Tickets are $10 online and $12 at the door.