Membership initiatives are integral to the sustainability and growth of nonprofits. Members give on a continual basis, making their commitment to the organization and their cause. Not only are membership programs crucial to nonprofits, but they also add value to those who give and their communities as a whole as people come together to improve their neighbors’ and community’s well-being.

Read below to learn more about membership and how you can get involved to ensure our communities flourish.

What is Membership?

Membership can take a variety of forms depending on the organization. For nonprofits, members tend to be donors who make a greater commitment to the organization. Typically, members receive benefits such as voting on the organization’s board members, receiving news and updates first and getting more of an “insider look” at the organization.

While these benefits are nice for donors to receive, they are rarely the reason donors decide to become members. According to Carter Skeel’s article, “In defense of membership programs,” “the act of giving expresses identification with a particular cause and a desire to join together with others in supporting it.” Donors give through membership because they believe in the cause the organization supports and the nonprofit itself. Members are the ideal donors of nonprofits because they have shown their commitment to their chosen organization helping nonprofits reach their goals of sustainability, donor engagement and community building.

Membership gifts are typically unrestricted, meaning nonprofits can use those funds wherever they need. This makes membership gifts invaluable to nonprofits because these gifts do not have restrictions that come from places such as grant funding. Having funds like this creates stable, sustainable funding for nonprofit organizations. Not only are these funds essential to nonprofits, but membership programs also build donor engagement and community as members interact more with each other and the organization as a whole.

Keep reading to learn more about the value of membership programs.

Why are Membership Programs Valuable?

Membership programs benefit donors, nonprofits and communities as people join together to support causes they are passionate about. Nonprofits rely on donors and their communities to help those in need. Ultimately, the partnership between community members and nonprofits creates positive change in communities, and membership is an effective avenue to accomplish that change.

Value to the Donor

Skeel further discusses why donors give through membership in his article: “Membership programs don’t motivate donors because they promise certain benefits—a book, a pin, a mug, and so on. No, they motivate donors through what those benefits convey about the importance of gifts at that level to the organization.” People give because they want to make a difference. When donors fully support a cause and find a nonprofit that does the same, they are likely to financially support that organization.

Membership giving opportunities align well with individuals’ desire to give back and help others. By supporting the organization as a whole, donors illustrate their trust in the organization and their dedication to the cause. Knowing their financial gifts are helping their neighbors and community inspires purpose and hope in their lives.

Value to the Nonprofit

Nonprofits benefit greatly from membership programs and gifts as well. As discussed above, having the flexible funding that comes from membership gifts promotes sustainability for the organization.

Donor retention (keeping donors from year to year) is also key to success for nonprofits and goes hand-in-hand with membership programs. HIVO’s article, “Maximizing Donor Retention with Charity Loyalty Programs,” explains how “donors who remain engaged over time can become more valuable to the charity. As they develop a deeper understanding of the organization’s mission and impact, they may be more inclined to increase their level of support or contribute in other ways, such as volunteering or advocating for the cause.” Members are ideal donors because they have already given a greater commitment, showing they are invested in the organization and its cause. Because of this, members are more likely to give year after year, further boosting the nonprofit’s sustainability as retaining donors is far more economical than finding new ones.

Not only are members essential to the financial sustainability of nonprofits, but most importantly, membership programs foster strong supporters who are invested in the cause and organization. Having support from community members allows nonprofits to build relationships and help even more people. Sometimes members will even volunteer their time, further impacting their community. However members give back, they continue to make a positive difference in their neighbors’ lives.

Value to the Community

Membership fosters community as people join together to support a cause they’re passionate about. This feeling of togetherness impacts communities overall as those who are involved in nonprofits tend to be more invested in their community as well.

Giving to nonprofits through membership can also add economic value to communities. In Barry Shore’s article, “The Impact of Giving Back: How Philanthropy Shapes Communities,” he states: “Philanthropy also contributes to economic development in local communities by boosting investment capital and creating new jobs. When people donate money or resources, they are indirectly investing in businesses that create job opportunities for residents. This influx of cash flow helps to fuel economic growth and stability in communities across the nation.” By giving through membership programs, donors impact their community overall as they invest in their neighbors and community’s development.

Read Kady’s story below to see the impact you can make in your community through membership.

Kady’s Story

Kady’s family was apart. While her children were staying in a safe place, Kady lived out of her car, searching for safe housing where they could all be together.

Thankfully, Kady came to TrueNorth and received multiple services to improve the well-being of her family. “It’s a blessing,” remarks Kady on the impact of the services and guidance she received from TrueNorth. “If TrueNorth wasn’t here I wouldn’t be here.”

TrueNorth placed Kady and her three children in a local motel where they could be together while Kady worked to find stable housing and a job that could support her family. Having guidance and encouragement from TrueNorth helped make this difficult time more manageable as Kady used her resources to move forward.

“Having her support and just knowing someone understood and can help…she never made me feel like I was asking for a handout, she gave me options and I explored my options,” reflects Kady on how her TrueNorth caseworker empowered her to advocate for herself and her family.

Kady was the one who found the place for her family with the support from TrueNorth. Having a new home for her kids relieved stress and anxiety from her as she was now able to look forward to her family’s future.

“My mental state, my anxiety…it was like way worse where I could function but I couldn’t process anything in my head because I didn’t know what was going on,” says Kady about the challenges she faced while finding housing. “I have peace of mind knowing we can all be a family and be together.”

Help Families like Kady’s through Membership

Today, Kady and her kids are safe in their new home because of caring supporters like you. Kady reflects on the impact of her time with TrueNorth: “I feel more stable, and I can push myself to actually do what I need to do instead of just stress…I’m very thankful for you guys.”

You can make a real impact on people like Kady. Not only will your membership gift help meet our neighbors’ needs, but it will also inspire hope for brighter futures. Learn more about membership opportunities below to make a difference today.

Transform Lives through TrueNorth Membership

TrueNorth offers a number of membership opportunities for you to invest in the well-being of our neighbors and communities:

• Friend: $25 – $99
• Patron: $100 – $499
• Community Partner: $500 – $999
• Community Pillar: $1000 – $4999
• Gene Cotton Circle: $5000 and above

Membership means you are supporting all of TrueNorth’s programs and initiatives. Your gift will not only help those in crisis situations like Kady, but it will also ensure that everyone in our community has opportunities to receive help, connect and give back.

When you become a member at TrueNorth, you will also have the opportunity to vote in the election of TrueNorth’s Board of Directors. We value you and your support and know that the more we work together the more good we can do.

Further our mission of inspiring hope and creating a better world by becoming a member today, for Good Happens Here, but only if we make it happen, together.