Friends of KERA Membership Levels
Click on membership level to learn more:
• Friends of KERA - $1,500 to $4,999
• Ralph Rogers Society - $5,000 to $9,999
• Ralph Rogers Leader's Circle –Greater than $10,000
The Friends of KERA recognizes donors who generously give an annual gift of $1,500 or greater, providing the foundation upon which KERA’s programs and services are built.
Friends value KERA’s superb programs and are inspired by its commitment to excellence. Whether it is an educational program, a fair news report, or a compelling story – whatever stirs your thoughts or ignites your ideas, KERA is where you can find it. Friends share the passion to ensure that these important services continue to grow in excellence and impact each year for North Texans.
Exclusive Benefits:
As a Friend of KERA you enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that your philanthropy ensures the future of public broadcasting in North Texas – now more than ever a valued source of information, inspiration and entertainment. Some special privileges are offered to the Friends of KERA to enhance the enjoyment of and connection to KERA.
• President’s quarterly newsletter
• Personalized donor service for station or program questions
• Invitation to station events featuring KERA, NPR or PBS programs and personalities
• KERA Member Cards offering discounts to local entertainment and cultural arts centers
• Complimentary movie screenings
Renew your membership or become a member of the Friends of KERA by contacting Sandra Session-Robertson, Senior Vice President of Leadership Giving and Special Projects, at ssession-robertson@kera.org or via telephone at 214-740-9331. Whenever you make a donation, you can be assured that it will be managed wisely and in a way that supports KERA’s vital programs and community services.
In 2002, KERA established the exclusive Ralph Rogers Society to honor the "Founding Father of the Public Broadcasting Service." Ralph Rogers was instrumental in leading the ultimately successful battle to save public broadcasting in the United States in 1972.
The Ralph Rogers Society recognizes donors who generously give an annual gift of $5,000 or greater, ensuring that KERA will continue to provide the North Texas community with the valuable services people have come to trust.
Exclusive Benefits
Members of the Ralph Rogers Society recognize that KERA’s impact reaches far beyond our airwaves and into the hearts of North Texans. Some special privileges are offered to members of the Ralph Rogers Society to enhance the enjoyment of and connection to KERA.
• Intimate Ralph Rogers Society events with dinner and drinks featuring a major NPR or PBS celebrity in a private setting
• President’s quarterly newsletter
• Personalized donor service for station or program questions
• Tour of KERA facilities
• Invitation to station events featuring KERA, National Public Radio (NPR) or Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) programs and personalities
• One free tape from the KERA Video Collection
• KERA Member Cards offering discounts to local entertainment and cultural arts centers
• Complimentary movie screenings
Renew your membership or become a member of the Ralph Rogers Society of the Friends of KERA by contacting Sandra Session-Robertson, Senior Vice President of Leadership Giving and Special Projects, at ssession-robertson@kera.org or via telephone at 214-740-9331.
KERA’s Leader’s Circle recognizes donors who generously give an annual gift of $10,000 or greater.
Exclusive Benefits
Members of the Ralph Rogers Leader’s Circle value KERA's superb programs and share a commitment to ensure that these important services continue to grow in excellence and impact each year. Some special privileges are offered to members of the Ralph Rogers Leader’s Circle to enhance the enjoyment of and connection to KERA.
• Intimate Ralph Rogers Society events with dinner and drinks featuring a major NPR or PBS celebrity in a private setting
• President’s quarterly newsletter
• Personalized donor service for station or program questions
• Tour of KERA facilities
• Invitation to station events featuring KERA, National Public Radio (NPR) or Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) programs and personalities
• Complimentary use of KERA Videotape Lending Library
• One free tape from the KERA Video Collection
• Luncheon with KERA president and special guests
• Luncheon with one of your favorite program hosts, producers or managers
• Exclusive invitations to selected live broadcasts, tapings, studio events
• KERA Member Cards offering discounts to local entertainment and cultural arts centers
• Complimentary movie screenings
Renew your membership or become a member of the Ralph Rogers Leader's Circle of the Friends of KERA by contacting Sandra Session-Robertson, Senior Vice President of Leadership Giving and Special Projects, at ssession-robertson@kera.org or via telephone at 214-740-9331.
Ralph B. Rogers was born in Boston in 1909 and was educated at the Boston Latin School. Before his involvement with public broadcasting, Rogers worked for or ran many successful business entities, including Cummins Diesel Engine, Edwards Company, Hill and Rogers Diesel and Aircraft, Armstrong Rubber Export, and Rogers International. In 1950, he created Texas Industries in Dallas and served as its president and chief executive officer.
For much of his life, Rogers took an active role in public broadcasting at both the local and the national level. In Dallas, Rogers acted as the Chairman of KERA from 1968 to 1972. This chairmanship led to involvement at the national level when, in 1972, Rogers headed a board of other lay chairmen to look into the possibilities of long-range financing for public broadcasting. Rogers also clarified the role of lay chairmen by creating and chairing the National Coordinating Committee for Governing Board Chairmen.
Ralph B. Rogers was one of the founders of PBS, leading the effort to join more than 200 public television stations into one organization. In 1973, Rogers was named chief executive officer of the Public Broadcasting Service, a position he used to improve relations with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. He also served as chairman of the PBS Board of Governors. Rogers served in this position until he was succeeded by Newton C. Minow in 1978.
In addition to his work for PBS, Rogers was chairman emeritus of the Public Communication Foundation of North Texas and a member of the Board of Directors of the National Captioning Institute. He was also a founding trustee of the Children's Television Workshop, which produced the award-winning series Sesame Street.
Ralph B. Rogers died in 1997 and in 2002, KERA established the exclusive Ralph Rogers Society to honor the “Founding Father of the Public Broadcasting Service.”
