Public Service Announcements (PSA)

KCSM-FM Public Service Announcements (PSA) Policy

KCSM-FM is proud to support the Bay Area’s vibrant nonprofit community by offering free Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to eligible organizations. PSAs are short, on-air messages that inform our listeners about events, services, or initiatives benefiting the community.

Who Can Submit a PSA?
We accept PSA submissions from:

• 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
• Government agencies
• Educational institutions
• Community groups offering free or low-cost public services

We do not accept PSAs from for-profit businesses, political campaigns, or religious organizations promoting worship services.
What Can Be Promoted?
PSAs may promote:

• Free or low-cost community events
• Health and wellness services
• Educational workshops
• Arts and cultural programs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Public safety or emergency information

Events must be open to the public and take place within our broadcast area.
Submission Guidelines

• Submit your PSA at least 4 weeks in advance of the event or deadline.
• KCSM will not accept any PSA for events that are a week away.
• For-profit organizations and commercial businesses will be directed to the underwriting page at kcsm.org/underwriting.
• PSA’s are only accepted from non-profit, government, and community organizations for the purpose of alerting people to information, events, and services of community interest.
• Announcements must be 30 seconds or less.
• Announcements may not contain a call-to-action. For example, instead of “Join us at this event…” use the passive “This event takes place on…”
• Announcements cannot refer to prices, discounts, or sales of any kind. Announcements may tell listeners where tickets are available for an event or where to go for additional information. Words such as “free,” “sale,” “discount,” and other references to prices or values are absolutely prohibited. If an event is free, use “This event is open to the public.”
• Announcements should direct listeners to phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses as needed.
• Announcements must be dated, with a start date and end date for broadcasting.
• Announcements must include contact phone numbers and email addresses for follow-up if needed.
• KCSM does not promote fundraisers, unless it can be promoted strictly as an event. For example, a concert to raise money for service organizations may be promoted, and must contain a brief statement in the body of the announcement indicating who will benefit, Include:
  
  • Event name
  • Date, time, and location
  • Sponsoring organization
  • Contact information or website
• PSAs are read live on-air by our announcers and are not pre-recorded.

How to Submit
Please email your PSA request to:📧 psa@kcsm.net
Or mail to:PSA Coordinator
KCSM-FM 1700 W Hillsdale Blvd San Mateo, CA 94402
Important Notes

• Submission does not guarantee broadcast.
• PSAs are scheduled based on availability and relevance to our audience.
• KCSM reserves the right to edit submissions for length and clarity.

We’re honored to help amplify the voices of organizations doing meaningful work in our community. Thank you for partnering with KCSM-FM!