1: Why Memberships Matter
At its core, a nonprofit membership means someone opts in, often with an annual or monthly fee, to stay connected, receive updates, and support your work more deeply. And since monthly giving models are on the rise, they are one way your nonprofit might tap into this format for sustainable support.
Depending on your membership structure (see below), in return, they might get:
- Access to exclusive events
- First dibs on volunteer opportunities
- Recognition in your newsletter
- Or just the feel-good glow of backing a cause they care about
It’s a win-win situation: You’ll strengthen your supporter base while also generating consistent, predictable revenue. For example, I know with our sponsor’s platform
(Join It), you can automate payments and also integrate with tools like QuickBooks, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, and others. That way you can offer up some of these member benefits, automate the admin stuff, and focus on your people.
2: Pick a Model that Works for Your Community
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here, membership models can be tailored to your size, capacity, and goals. Here are a few common types:
- Free memberships: Ideal for awareness-building and community growth
- One-time fee memberships: Great for offering limited perks upfront
- Tiered memberships: Offer levels like Basic, Supporter, and Champion
- Subscription-based memberships: Monthly or annual dues for ongoing perks
- Donation-based memberships: Flexible for supporters with varied budgets
- Event-based memberships: Give access to a network, but charge for each event
- Subsidized memberships: Scale fees based on income or ability to pay.
3: Voting vs. Non-Voting Members
This part can get confusing, so let’s simplify it. “Membership” in nonprofits can mean two very different things:
Voting Members typically help elect the Board or approve bylaws. It’s most likely that when your nonprofit incorporated and filed for tax-exempt status, you / your nonprofit leaders decided it would be a true membership organization with voting members. Real-life examples might include PTAs, some associations, or food co-ops.
Non-voting Members may support the mission and get perks, but don’t have governance power. Some examples of nonprofits that might use this structure include wildlife societies, theaters, animal rescue groups, advocacy groups, or museums.
If your organization is legally structured to include voting members, there are additional requirements around transparency, communication, and decision-making. If unsure, check your bylaws or consult a nonprofit legal advisor.
Be clear upfront about what being a “member” means in your organization so that no one is confused or disappointed later.
4: So, is a membership model right for your nonprofit?
Memberships can be a powerful tool, but they have to fit your goals.
Here are a few questions to help you decide:
- Do you want to build a sense of belonging? If your community wants to feel more connected, membership could deepen that bond.
- Do you have the capacity to manage it? Tools like Join It make this easier because it has built in automations for renewals and tracking, but you’ll still want to create a plan to keep your members engaged throughout the year.
- Is your mission public-facing? Memberships can be a natural extension of your work if you're running community programs, advocacy campaigns, or events.
Remember: It doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a small, well-run membership program can boost your revenue and reach.
Brainstorm This Week! 🚀
Start small. Brainstorm 1–2 perks you could offer members, or draft a simple membership tier with your team. Not sure where to start? Here’s a 30 day free trial of Join It’s membership management platform you can check out (no credit card required!!) for inspiration.
