KEXP-BECU Collab: When Music and Members Matter

Takeaways: Partnership Reflects Shared Roots and Values

• BECU and KEXP's decades long partnership reflects shared Pacific Northwest roots and a mutual commitment to community and creativity.
• To celebrate BECU's 90th anniversary, KEXP is creating a curated playlist honoring nine decades of influential regional music.
• Both organizations rely on the power of member and listener support, fostering loyal, connected communities.
• KEXP and BECU champion inclusivity and innovation.
• The partnership extends beyond radio to events, the KEXP debit card program and shared efforts to uplift the community.

What gift does a radio station give its credit union friend for its 90th birthday? A fabulous playlist, of course.

Listener-supported, nonprofit radio station KEXP is crafting a curated Spotify mix echoing the Pacific Northwest's most meaningful tracks over nine decades to help celebrate BECU's 90th anniversary.

The playlist, spanning a wide variety of genres, is scheduled to drop March 12, 2026.

The playlist is also a celebration of a long-standing partnership. BECU has supported KEXP for more than 30 years. It's a collaboration that just makes sense for these organizations with shared values and deep Pacific Northwest roots.

"Partnering with KEXP is one way we invest in the things that matter to our members," said Jason Rudman, BECU's executive vice president and chief member and digital experience officer. "It strengthens the cultural fabric of our region and reflects our shared commitment to building a vibrant future for the communities we both serve."

Shared Affinity for Innovation, Community and Culture

In 2019, the station became one of BECU's affinity partners, joining organizations like the Seattle Mariners, Seattle Storm and higher education institutions like University of Washington and Washington State University.

The nonprofit station has cultivated a connected music community, relying on listeners the same way BECU relies on members. Both have built fiercely loyal, supportive and generous communities as a result.

"BECU does amazing work giving back to the community through philanthropic giving," said Morgan Chosnyk, KEXP DJ and programming group director. "We at KEXP share that passion for shining a light on the great work that others do to help their community." Being a local institution hasn't prevented either organization from keeping pace with its communities: "KEXP grew and evolved to meet their listeners' needs," Rudman said. "That spirit resonates with the work we're doing at BECU, especially as we reflect on how we've evolved with our members for the past 90 years. We're proud to partner with an organization that, like us, is redefining what it means to engage and serve a modern community."

KEXP also shares BECU's commitment to inclusivity, diversity and equity, championing artists from all backgrounds while building a music community where listeners have a stake.

"We're both doing our part to show compassion for our community members," Chosnyk said. "We know all ships rise when everyone has the resources they need, from money in your account to the song that turns your day around."

Connecting Through Music

KEXP's Seattle Center-based broadcasts reach listeners worldwide through 90.3 FM Seattle, online streaming, and recently started simulcasting at 92.7 FM in San Francisco. The station is estimated to have 180,000 weekly listeners, according to The Seattle Times, while another 3 million subscribers rely on KEXP's YouTube channel.

"Being a KEXP fan feels like being part of a shared Seattle rhythm," said Teran Evans, BECU's vice president of brand strategy and affinity partnerships. "You recognize the DJ's voice right away, you know the feeling of turning it on during a commute or listening at home, and you trust that what you're hearing was chosen with care."

Founded at the University of Washington in 1972, the station earned its reputation as a tastemaker early on, as the first station to air grunge bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden in the late 1980s. Today, the DJ's hand-selected tracks blend alternative rock, hip hop, electronic, roots, blues, world music, jazz and more.

Shows include Street Sounds (Seattle's longest-running hip-hop mix show), El Sonido (Latin music) and Audioasis (local artists).

Beyond radio, KEXP's Seattle Center campus is equal parts radio station, concert venue and neighborhood hangout. The Gathering Space is a free community hub with coffee from Caffè Vita, vinyl from Sub Pop Records, and the live broadcast as a soundtrack.

Partnership Benefits Extend Beyond Radio

If you want to join in the fun, check KEXP's event schedule for upcoming shows. With nearly 250 "Live on KEXP" performances every year, there's plenty of music for BECU members to explore daily.

"It's about showing up consistently, whether that's funding independent artists or helping members build financial stability over time," Evans said. "That long-term mindset feels very aligned."

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