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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.

Volunteers are essential to vibrant communities. This is why National Volunteer Week is so important as communities come together to celebrate and encourage those who give back.

Read more to learn about the history and importance of National Volunteer Week, read stories of giving back and see how you can get involved this week and beyond.

What is National Volunteer Week?

This year is the 50th anniversary of National Volunteer Week–putting a spotlight on the impact and generosity of volunteers. According to GovInfo’s article, “History of National Service,” National Volunteer Week was established by President Richard Nixon in April of 1974 to celebrate volunteers and their impact. This movement has grown over the years as thousands of nonprofit organizations and communities throughout the nation recognize and inspire those who give back.

The 2025 National Volunteer Week will be celebrated from April 20 – 26 during Global Volunteer Month. Started by Points of Light in 2020, this global movement aims to further recognize and encourage volunteerism around the world. Celebrating throughout the month of April shows just how great an impact volunteers have on their communities as people gather together to thank those who continue to give their time to help others.

Importance of National Volunteer Week

Without caring people giving back, many communities would not have the support necessary to thrive. Volunteers make a difference in real people’s lives as they help fight food insecurity, guide the next generation, improve social health and provide essential resources among so much more. Nationally, “over 28 percent of Americans volunteered through an organization between September 2022 and 2023, an increase of five percentage points from the historic low documented in 2021,” according to AmeriCorps’ Volunteering and Civic Life in America Research Summary. This growth illustrates how more and more people recognize the benefits giving back has on their communities and even their own lives. See AmeriCorps’ chart below for a more detailed look at how people are engaging with their communities:

In Michigan, AmeriCorps notes that “2,141,460 formal volunteers contributed 138,630,397 hours of service through organizations worth an estimated $4.4 billion.” These statistics highlight just how great an impact volunteers have on their communities and the state of Michigan overall. Not only is National Volunteer Week a great time to reflect on volunteers’ contributions and positive effects but it also is an opportunity to further those impacts as we encourage others to give back too.

Read the stories below for an in-depth look at why people volunteer and how their lives and communities have been impacted by their service.

Stories of Giving Back

People can give back through a variety of avenues. One thing remains constant, however; volunteers continue to help those around them, ultimately improving the well-being of their communities.

Encourage Others this National Volunteer Week

You can ensure our neighbors thrive this National Volunteer Week and beyond. Whether you thank a volunteer or give back yourself, you can help inspire hope and resilience in your community. Learn more about how you can get involved at TrueNorth Community Services to make a difference below.

TrueNorth’s Volunteer Opportunities

At TrueNorth, we provide opportunities for everyone in our community to receive help, connect and give back. We offer a number of volunteer opportunities for people to renew purpose and help those in need, including:

• Agency Support
• Camp Newaygo
• Community Connections
• Hunger Prevention
• Youth Mentoring
• Special Programs & Events
• Call & Connect

You can transform lives just like Suzie and Diane. By coming together through volunteerism, we can secure the well-being of our neighbors and communities. Support our volunteers and give back today to be confident you are strengthening Michigan communities.

Art brings people together. Whether through music, theatre or the visual arts, rural communities that prioritize the arts receive numerous benefits.

Unfortunately, there are challenges rural communities face continuing and growing arts opportunities. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of the arts in rural communities and how prioritizing the arts can bring individuals and their communities even closer together.

A Look at Arts in Rural Communities

According to Mallory Shotwell’s article, “How Art Makes Us More Human: Why Being Creative is So Important in Life,” art’s “power lies in its ability to inspire, create joy and provoke thought. Art is an expression of the human experience, and its value lies in its ability to bring people together.” This sentiment illustrates the value the arts bring to individuals and their communities. For rural areas, this is especially important as these communities typically have less opportunities for the arts and connection in general than urban areas, making arts initiatives even more essential to build and sustain vibrant communities.

Rural economies are one of the main contributing factors to there being less arts opportunities available. The report, “Rural Prosperity Through the Arts & Creative Sector,” produced by the National Governors Association (NGA), National Endowment for the Arts and the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies discuss what challenges rural communities face when concerning the arts: “Many rural areas have unique cultures to celebrate, yet they are also contending with problems related to an evolving economy, including the loss of industry, outmigration of young and skilled workers, rising poverty rates, health and health care barriers, educational attainment gaps and physical and digital infrastructure needs.” With rural communities facing economic challenges, especially households living in poverty or with low incomes, the arts tend to not be a community priority.

Rural residents already face challenges such as lack of affordable housing and food insecurity, making the arts seem like a luxury they cannot afford. Unfortunately, this mindset overshadows the benefits individuals and communities can gain through the arts. Read below to learn more about the positive impacts art can have on rural communities and their residents.

Impact of the Arts in Rural Communities

The arts have a number of impacts on both individuals and communities. From individual health benefits to strengthened community connections, art can positively affect rural communities.

Individual Benefits

Individuals involved in the arts receive a variety of benefits ranging from improved physical and mental health to renewed purpose and expression.

Physical health benefits come from more active arts engagement such as dance and music. According to Gwendolyn Rugg, Jennifer Novak-Leonard and Michael Reynolds’ article, “The Outcomes of Arts Engagement for Individuals and Communities”, physical health improvements such as hormone levels, blood pressure, mobility and cognitive function can be improved through the arts. The article also notes that older adults who engage in more active arts participation receive health-boosting effects that help lessen their risk of “developing cognitive or physical health problems as they age.” These benefits show how the arts can influence health outcomes.

Along with physical health benefits, the arts also can impact individuals’ mental health. The Mental Health Foundation explains these benefits in their article, “How arts can help improve your mental health.” The article discusses how “engaging in the arts can help with major challenges, such as aging and loneliness. It can help to boost confidence and make us feel more engaged and resilient. Besides these benefits, art engagement also alleviates anxiety, depression and stress.” These benefits are extremely essential to the well-being of rural communities as residents face mental and social health challenges. Having avenues to express their emotions, share their stories and connect with those around them, creates both positive bonds and improved self-confidence.

All of the benefits discussed above also impact communities overall as healthy and engaged residents are key parts of vibrant communities. Read about Hanna, a TrueNorth Cultural Arts’ participant, below to see how arts programming has made a real difference in her life.

Hanna’s Story

Community Benefits

Rural communities experience a number of benefits from the arts. As seen above, the arts foster connection, helping residents feel invested in their community. Experiences like community art programs and projects bring people together with a common goal of creating art. The more involved community members are in their area, the stronger their relationships with the community, others and themselves will be.

There are also economic benefits to the arts. Many rural Michigan towns are tourist destinations that bring in revenue especially during the summer months. Having local arts opportunities encourages more people to visit and engage with the community, making it more likely for those visiting to come back again. This also promotes further connections in communities as residents engage with new people.

Support the Arts in Rural Areas

You can inspire young artists like Hanna. Whether you get involved in the arts in your community, donate to local programs or advocate for arts initiatives, you can help build vibrant communities. Learn more about TrueNorth’s Cultural Arts initiatives below.

TrueNorth’s Cultural Arts Initiatives

At TrueNorth, we strive to provide opportunities for community members to express themselves through the arts. Our initiatives focus on youth to ensure every kid has the opportunity to learn and grow in the arts. We offer a variety of programming as seen below:

• Middle and High School Student Art Trips to Museums and Exhibitions
• Guest Artist Workshop through the Art-In
• Newaygo County Art Exhibit and Art Scholarship Contest at TrueNorth
• Visiting Artist Workshops in each Newaygo County Middle and High School
• Piano Showcases on TrueNorth’s Steinway Piano

Each of these initiatives provides area kids with new experiences to learn, practice and perform different types of art.

“Anything artistic I also feel like obviously it’s a creative outlet but it allows people to sort of express themselves more than what words would,” reflects Hanna on how TrueNorth’s Cultural Arts programs have helped her express herself. “There are just emotions that you cannot capture properly as you would with like images or a 3D model.”

You can enrich the lives of young artists like Hanna by getting involved at TrueNorth. Make a caring gift or volunteer today to build and sustain vibrant communities.

Rising food costs and the increased cost of living continue to affect Michigan residents. This need for affordable and accessible food is even greater in rural Michigan communities as residents face unique challenges.

Keep reading to learn more about food affordability and accessibility, their impacts and how you can help your neighbors in need.

Food Affordability and Accessibility

While closely tied together, food affordability and food accessibility have different meanings and impacts. According to Jess Carson and Sarah Boege’s article, “The Intersection of Food Availability, Access, & Affordability with Food Security and Health,” food affordability can be defined as “the ability to purchase enough safe and nutritious food given demands on household income outside of food.” As this definition notes, the additional costs of essentials such as housing, heat, energy and healthcare also need to be considered when determining if food is affordable. Keeping the quality of food in mind is also important because everyone deserves to have the ability to purchase nutritious food for healthy living. It’s also important to consider food quality because everyone deserves access to nutritious food for a healthy life.

In contrast, food accessibility means “the ability to obtain food free from barriers posed by travel time, physical features of the area and store, neighborhood safety and transportation costs,” as defined by Carson and Boege. This definition speaks to the challenges rural Michigan communities face. A high percentage of rural individuals and families face barriers to purchase the food they need. From a lack of public transportation to limited store options where they can travel, there are a number of factors that affect if food is obtainable.

Read below to learn more about food affordability and accessibility in rural Michigan communities.

Rural Food Affordability

As discussed in the definition above, food affordability takes into account more than the cost of food itself. This is especially the case for rural residents as they face greater transportation barriers, higher housing costs and limited store options compared to urban residents. Carson and Boege further note the differences in food affordability in rural versus urban areas: “One national study found that households in rural counties spend 19 percent of income on food compared to 17 percent in urban counties. The same study found that compared to urban counties, rural places have lower household incomes, lower access to food retailers, higher shares of poverty and lower average SNAP benefits per participant—all of which were found to contribute to lower food affordability.”

Even in rural communities with lower living costs than urban areas, the gap between household income and the cost of food and essentials still creates a financial burden. This underscores the urgent need for food support to ensure residents have access to proper nutrition.

Below are four charts that show the living wage calculations and costs of typical expenses for Newaygo County households in 2024 and 2025. This data was gathered by The Living Wage Calculator and was last updated in February 2025. We selected Newaygo County because it is one of TrueNorth’s primary service areas, serving as a snapshot of rural communities in West Michigan.

2024 Living Wage Calculation for Newaygo County

2025 Living Wage Calculation for Newaygo County

2024 Typical Expenses for Newaygo County

2025 Typical Expenses for Newaygo County

Comparing 2024 to 2025 data shows an increase in required incomes and costs across multiple areas. Both food and housing costs have risen which means individuals and families will have less to spend on other necessities. While this is a broad estimate of the living wage and expenses for Newaygo County residents, these charts illustrate the financial burden rural residents face.

Rural Food Accessibility

Accessible food is critical to the health and well-being of rural residents. There are a number of factors that impact food accessibility as Isabella Pinerua discusses in her article, “How can we define food access?.” Pinerua further defines food accessibility as she breaks it down into three categories: economic access, physical access and social access.

Having economic access to food means individuals and families have the financial means to purchase food and the necessary materials to cook and eat it, as Pinerua defines in her article. This goes hand in hand with food affordability because if food is unaffordable then it will not be easily obtainable. Economic access should also not be limited to the cost of food itself, but it should also take into account the financial burdens that come with transportation to grocery stores such as gas and car payments. As noted earlier, rural areas tend to lack public transportation and are also spread out, making it challenging for people to buy food if they do not have access to transportation.

Transportation is also a factor when evaluating physical access to food. With limited grocery store access in small towns, people must decide between closer stores with higher food costs or larger stores with lower prices that are further away. Carson and Boege further emphasize the importance of transportation on food accessibility, stating: “Research consistently identifies transportation as a meaningful element of food accessibility, linking both lack and cost of transportation to food insecurity.”

Lastly, we should also consider social access when defining food accessibility. This takes into account the social, cultural and political factors associated with buying food as Pinerua notes. Social access will vary based on the communities’ and households’ cultures and social norms.

Impacts of Rising Food Costs

Rising food costs also impact food affordability and accessibility. According to Taryn Phaneuf’s article, “Food Prices Climbed 31% In 6 Years. Here’s Why,” food prices have risen 31% since 2019, as the title notes, and continue to rise because of “the combined impact of rising operating costs, supply-chain disruptions and corporate profits.”

Operating costs influence food prices. These costs can include: employees’ salaries, equipment purchases and maintenance, raw material purchases and fuel for vehicles, as Phaneuf explains. Combined with unavoidable events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and recent bird flu outbreaks, certain prices for items like eggs have drastically increased. Some corporations have added to this strain by raising prices and selling products in lower quantities for the same price to increase profit.

As food costs continue to rise, keeping food affordable and accessible remains a challenge, especially as incomes stay the same. This is why TrueNorth provides comprehensive Hunger Prevention programs and services to ensure no one in our community goes hungry. Learn more about these services and how you can help below.

Nourish Hope in Our Neighbors

You can help ensure everyone in our community has access to healthy, nutritious food. Whether you volunteer at a local food center, donate food or advocate for those in need, you can nourish hope in our neighbors.

Check out TrueNorth’s opportunities to make a difference below.

TrueNorth’s Hunger Prevention Programs

At TrueNorth, we believe everyone in our community deserves to have access to nutritious food to lead active, productive lives. We meet people where they are to help fulfill their needs while furthering them on their paths to self-sufficiency.

We offer a number of programs and services to provide our neighbors with the resources they need:

• Feeding thousands of individuals and families at our on-site Food Center
• Partnering with Feeding America West Michigan for a monthly Mobile Food Pantry
• Providing food to hundreds of students on the weekend through Weekend PowerPacks
• Gathering seniors together for a meal and socialization at our Senior Thanksgiving Luncheon

TrueNorth even works with local farmers and receive donations from individuals to provide fresh produce in our on-site Food Center. Through our food rescue initiatives, we collect food that would otherwise go to waste from large businesses in the community. Our goal is to build and sustain vibrant communities where everyone can thrive.

Take a look below to see how we helped our community in 2024:

You can continue these impacts when you get involved today. Make a caring donation or volunteer today to ensure our community flourishes. You can personally offer a hand up to our neighbors, ultimately impacting their lives for a lifetime.