Nonprofit Membership Programs

Nonprofit membership programs. 

To have or have not?

A couple of thoughts:

1️⃣ They don’t work for every nonprofit.

I started my nonprofit career in the performing arts. When people visit your organization regularly, like a zoo, museum, theater, etc. it’s a natural fit.

Regular members become great donor prospects for special campaigns, major gifts, and legacy gifts.

But if you are say, a social service organization, coming up with meaningful benefits can be more difficult, be less attractive to donors and…

2️⃣ They can cultivate short-term, transactional relationships where people give based on what they get rather than mission impact.

Plus…

3️⃣ Depending on what benefits you offer, fulfillment can become a BIG time-suck for staff (not to mention the cost).

So…

4️⃣ Make sure your donors actually want what you’re offering.

Take time to ask your donors if your benefits are important to them (1:1 conversations, surveys, etc.).

Give donors the option to opt out of receiving benefits so you aren’t sending stuff they don’t want.

💡 You may not actually need a membership program. There are other ways to encourage people to give AND ways to thank them for their support, without 'benefits'.

How have you seen nonprofit membership programs work – or not?