Have you been tasked with recruiting new members for your nonprofit and don't know where to begin? Fear not! We've got you covered.
This article provides an overview of nonprofit membership application templates, helping you to find the right membership form sample to utilize in your nonprofit organization. Whether it's a straightforward form or something more intricate, this guide will provide you with all the information and tips you need to create a successful application that meets your nonprofit’s needs.
Let's get started!
A nonprofit membership application form is a tool used by nonprofit organizations to gather necessary information from potential members. These forms are filled out and submitted by individuals interested in officially becoming part of a nonprofit organization.
A nonprofit membership program allows the organization to collect membership fees (which are technically donations) in exchange for access to exclusive benefits, such as discounts, events, and special services. Examples of memberships could include subscribers to a nonprofit theater, a young professionals board of an art museum, or another type of exclusive membership group.
Nonprofits might have membership programs to gain access to additional funds, build a strong community of supporters and volunteers, or further connect members to the organization's mission.
Membership programs can also produce an engaged base of support that helps promote the organization's mission and extend its reach. Additionally, members can become actively involved in the organization's activities, providing a valuable resource for future programs and initiatives.
By connecting with members on an ongoing basis, nonprofits can create meaningful relationships that increase loyalty, engagement, and donations. Ultimately, membership programs give nonprofit organizations a strong foundation of support to build on as they continue their mission.
In many ways, membership programs are similar to giving societies in fostering relationships with members and providing exclusive benefits.
Organizations of all sizes, including nonprofits, can benefit from having official, formal membership applications. Having an official document that members must fill out when joining your nonprofit organization provides a clear boundary for those interested in becoming members. It also helps to streamline the process and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Creating a nonprofit membership application form is important for building relationships with potential members. When you provide an accessible and secure platform where people can easily apply for membership, it shows that you are invested in taking their interests seriously. This will help engage individuals in the nonprofit’s mission and potentially create lifetime supporters!
In addition to fostering relationships with potential members, having a nonprofit membership application template can make it easier to track applications and better understand who your members are. By using an application form, nonprofit organizations can collect basic demographic information about their membership base, giving them insights into their supporters that can be used when making strategic decisions.
Plus, having a membership application on hand can save time and effort for both the nonprofit organization and its potential members. It ensures that everyone is clear about the expectations placed on new members and that everyone comes away with a positive experience from the process.
When creating a nonprofit membership application template, it is important to ask for all the necessary information from applicants. Here is some key information you should ask for in your membership form sample template:
Contact information: This should include name, address, email, and phone number. This is important because it allows the nonprofit to follow up with potential members and keep them informed about upcoming events or initiatives.
Demographics: This should include data such as age, gender identity, and/or race/ethnicity. Understanding the demographics of your members provides valuable insight into how to engage them more effectively. For example, you will likely communicate with a 35-year-old differently than a 65+ member. Digital communications may be more effective for your young members, while direct mail may better benefit your older members.
Industry: It is important to ask applicants what industry they work in and how long they have been involved in it. This information can be used to better understand the interests and needs of potential members and how they can specifically aid your organizational goals.
Commitment: It is important to ask applicants how much they are willing to commit to your nonprofit organization in terms of time and membership fees. This information can be used to ensure that each member will be an active and engaged supporter. Are applicants committed to paying the necessary membership fees (annually, monthly, or whatever they may be)? If so, what works best for them? This should be taken into consideration when selecting members.
Membership details: Include the type of membership applied for and the length of time. For example, is the membership renewed annually or is it on a month to month schedule?
Payment information: This should also be included on the form if members are expected to pay a fee to become members.
Feedback: It is wise to ask potential members how they heard about your organization. This can provide valuable insight into where your audience is coming from and how to disperse your marketing dollars.
Other fields may also be relevant depending on your nonprofit's specific needs. For example, some organizations may ask applicants to provide references or list any additional skills that they can offer. Other nonprofit organizations might even include an essay question as part of their application process to get to know applicants better.
Ultimately, the nonprofit membership application template should be easy to understand and concise. It should also include relevant instructions on how to complete the form and how applications will be reviewed.
Below are 3 free nonprofit templates and nonprofit membership models for you to customize to your nonprofit’s needs:
Name:
Gender:
❑Female
❑Male
❑Non-Binary
❑Prefer not to say
Age:
❑18-25
❑25-39
❑39-49
❑50-62
❑62+
❑Prefer not to say
Race/Ethnicity:
❑American Indian or Alaska Native
❑Asian
❑Black or African American
❑Hispanic or Latino
❑Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
❑White
❑Prefer not to say
Membership Level:
[INSERT APPROPRIATE CONTENT]
Payment Details:
❑Check
❑Cash
❑Card [Link to secure payment method]
Name:
Age:
How You Heard About [INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME]
❑ Word of mouth
❑ A Current board member
❑ Social media
❑ Digital Ad
❑ Other: _______
Race/Ethnicity:
❑American Indian or Alaska Native
❑Asian
❑Black or African American
❑Hispanic or Latino
❑Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
❑White
❑Prefer not to say
Membership Level:
[INSERT APPROPRIATE CONTENT]
Payment Details:
❑Check
❑Cash
❑Card [Link to secure payment method]
Name:
Age:
Highest Level of Education:
❑ High school
❑ Undergraduate
❑ Some post-graduate
❑ Post-graduate degree
Industry:
❑ Advertising and marketing
❑ Education
❑ Entertainment
❑ Finance
❑ Government
❑ Healthcare
❑ Law
❑ Technology
❑ Other:_________
Race/Ethnicity:
❑American Indian or Alaska Native
❑Asian
❑Black or African American
❑Hispanic or Latino
❑Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
❑White
❑Prefer not to say
What is your availability?
❑ Limited, I serve multiple nonprofits
❑ Available, this is the only organization I’m a member of
❑ I’m not sure – tell me more about what to expect
How You Heard About [INSERT ORGANIZATION NAME]
❑ Word of mouth
❑ A Current board member
❑ Social media
❑ Digital Ad
❑ Other: _______
Membership Level:
[INSERT APPROPRIATE CONTENT]
Payment Details:
❑Check
❑Cash
❑Card [Link to secure payment method]
Any additional info you would like us to know:
Any of the above free templates are an excellent starting point for organizations looking to streamline their membership application process and create nonprofit membership models.
With a well-thought-out nonprofit membership application template, organizations can easily collect the necessary information from applicants and make informed decisions about who should become members of their nonprofit organization.
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If folks are going to pay extra to be involved in your organization, you need to make it worth their while. Organizations should consider offering incentives for nonprofit memberships.
Members might enjoy discounts on products or services offered by the nonprofit organization, early access to special events, and other perks that will make them feel valued and appreciated. These additional benefits can help ensure a higher success rate with securing nonprofit memberships.
In addition, with a tailored nonprofit membership application template, nonprofit organizations can easily streamline their process of selecting new members. Use any of the above templates and get started today!
By utilizing a well-crafted nonprofit membership application template, organizations can easily collect the necessary information from applicants, such as name, age, and background. With this information in hand, nonprofits can better engage their audiences and foster relationships with their members.
And by offering additional benefits with nonprofit memberships, organizations can entice more people to join and ensure a successful membership application process. Nonprofits should utilize these templates to streamline their onboarding process and select the ideal members for their organization.
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