Membership Programs

Types of Membership Programs

Giving Societies and Donor Clubs

A two-part article from The Fundraising Authority on setting up and using giving societies and donor clubs:

Part 1. Using Giving Societies and Donor Clubs Effectively

http://www.thefundraisingauthority.com/donor-cultivation/donor-clubs-part1/

Part 2. How to Set Up Successful Giving Societies and Donor Clubs

http://www.thefundraisingauthority.com/donor-cultivation/donor-clubs-part2/

Three Alumni Membership Models

Pros and cons of three membership models used in alumni associations.
http://www.alumnifutures.com/2010/06/dues-based-associations.html

Survey: Lifetime Memberships in Education Associations

Results from a 2011 survey conducted for the Reggio Alliance.
Research report dated October 10, 2011) (Download)

Examples of Successful Membership Programs

The Brooklyn Museum's socially networked museum membership

http://www.fundraisingsuccessmag.com/article/membership-20-a-socially-networked-museum-membership-403238_1.html

The Detroit Regional Chamber's tiered membership structure

http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/AMMagArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=11120

Enticing members with loyalty programs and perks: an article from the Wild Apricot blog 

http://www.wildapricot.com/blogs/newsblog/2011/10/12/enticing-members-with-loyalty-programs-and-perks

Starting a Membership Program

How to start an association: an ASAE white paper

http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/whitepaperdetail.cfm?ItemNumber=24445

How to start a partner membership program with the National Park Service

http://www.nps.gov/partnerships/membership_programs.htm

Starting a membership program: a Boardhost answer

http://members4.boardhost.com/PNDtalk/msg/1146754110.html

An ASAE primer on dues structure

http://www.asaecenter.org/PublicationsResources/ANowDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=24748

How to Set Up a Recurring or Lifetime Membership Program on Blackbaud

https://www.blackbaud.com/files/support/guides/altruac/memworkflowrecurringlifetime.html

Member Management

Non-Profit Help: making unhappy members lifetime members in 3 easy steps

http://www.non-profithelp.com/blog/?p=234

Tax-Related Considerations

An AFP FAQ: Deductibility of Membership Dues

http://www.afpnet.org/ResourceCenter/ArticleDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=3306

IRS Publication 526 (2011), Charitable Contributions

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p526/ar02.html

A Fundraising 123 Article: Are Membership Dues Deductible?

http://www.fundraising123.org/node/544#.VhaL5BNViko