Operation Homefront -  This San Antonio-based organization provides emergency assistance to military families faced with a deployed spouse or a recovering wounded warrior.  If the furnace goes out in January and the family can’t afford the repairs, Operation Homefront gets it fixed.  The group has chapters in most states, which means all donations stay local.   Operation Homefront’s website includes links to the state chapter sites.

Fisher House Foundation - Think of it as Ronald McDonald House for the military community.  Fisher House maintains residences at several military hospitals across the country where the group provides lodging and other support to families of recovering military personnel.  This partnership works best if Fisher House operates or hopes to build a house in the station’s market.

These are excellent causes for conservative news/talk stations because they resonate with an audience that loves to show its patriotism and has great respect for America’s fighting men and women.  Since 2004, WMAL/Washington listeners have donated $4 million to Fisher House.  WTKK/Boston raised $250,00  for Fisher House during one week in December 2008.  WGST/Atlanta’s audience has donated $434,000 to Operation Homefront/Georgia over the past three years, including $250,000 during a 2007 holiday campaign.

Both groups are excellent partners.  They bring resources to the table and are wide-open to including a sales component in the fundraising effort.  For more information and ideas based on my experience with these organizations, contact me at randall@talkfrontier.com