The Channel 10/36 Friends, Inc. is the fund-raising arm of Milwaukee Public Television. It's the responsibility of the Friends to raise $5 million from the community to support the program acquisition and production of Southeastern Wisconsin's two public television stations.

The Friends raise the funds using multiple means which include:

Membership - Over 46,000 individuals and families in southeastern Wisconsin are currently members of the Channel 10/36 Friends and contribute approximately $3 million annually. Basic membership is $35, but many provide larger amounts as high as $10,000. (For information on membership levels and how to become a member, telephone 414-297-8020)

Auction - The Great TV Auction, held in the spring of each year generates over $1 million in gross revenue and nets nearly $700,000 annually. Two thousand volunteers participate along with 5,000 donors, with 10,000 items up for bid during the nine-day auction. For information on how to donate merchandise or become a volunteer, telephone 414-297-8010.

Program Underwriting - Program underwriting by businesses and corporations in southeastern Wisconsin represents over $790,000 in revenue for the Friends. Businesses are increasingly becoming aware of the value of being associated with a high quality public television station that reaches a target audience appropriate for their business. For information on how to become an underwriter, costs and program availability, telephone 414-297-8012.

Annual fund-raising events:

Outdoor Wisconsin Banquet - Late February annually, Country Inn, Pewaukee. Outdoor Wisconsin is the most popular local production of Channels 10 and 36. It features news of the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and camping. The Outdoor Wisconsin Banquet seats 500 people in a banquet hall for an evening of food, drink, raffles, games, and silent and vocal auctions. In 1995, it generated $75,000.