FundRaiser Blog

The FundRaiser Software Blog is an excellent resource for nonprofit organizations looking to learn more about fundraising, donor management, membership management, and much more.

Changing from Membership to Non-Member Organization

Changing from Membership to Non-Member Organization

Dear Kim,

I am the director of a membership nonprofit and our board is thinking about changing us to a non-member organization to help us refocus our efforts to serve our clientele, clean up organizationally and become more streamlined and efficient. Would this be a mistake and how tough is it to do this? What is the real question we should be asking ourselves to help determine whether we should be a non-member or member nonprofit?
—Members Only

Dear Only,

Let’s start with your last question, which is an excellent one. You should be asking, “What role do we want people to play in our organization who are not board or staff?” Generally groups that want members want not only the financial support of membership dues, but also political support and a broader community to which to be accountable. In highly membership driven organizations, such as unions, members run for office, set organizational direction, and turn out in numbers for demonstrations when that is necessary. Usually members get something back for their contribution, which can be very tangible, such as access to a gym or decent working conditions, or more symbolic such as tote bags or pins, which stand for commercial free television or saving the environment. I don’t think that ceasing to be a membership organization will have all the effects you describe—a streamlined, efficient and cleaned up organization. Many membership organizations are very efficient and many non-member groups are not. You imply that your members are different from your clients. This structure may be causing some problems. Normally members are people who also who use a service—religious institutions, museums and theaters; and social service agencies—such as homeless shelters, free clinics, or hot lines–don’t have members.

It also may not be that easy to make this switch, depending on the role that members now play. For example, in many membership groups, the board would have to get approval from the whole membership to dissolve itself, and that dissolution would include the board, which was elected by the members. You will have to look at your by-laws and possibly consult a nonprofit attorney before taking this step.

I would look much more closely at what you think your problems are and what will really solve them. As the saying goes, “Don’t change the tire that isn’t flat.”
—Kim

Originally published in the Grassroots FundRaising Journal. FundRaiser users can subscribe at a special rate of $30/year by entering is "$30" in the coupon code field on the second page of the subscription process.

Read more about how FundRaiser Software can help you with your fundraising:

FundrRaiser's core features

Favorite Feature: the Custom Page
3 Dead-On Grouping Tricks to Treat You Right

Related Posts

Wait a minute, while we are rendering the calendar
legacy giving password protection operating systems data analysis memorial giving NCOA processing announcements New Year data entry Facebook campaign pictures look and feel charity golf tournaments merge fields new nonprofit entering auction gifts Donor Portal donor source volunteers customer portal follow up large donations donor attrition rate role of nonprofits government grants #GivingTuesday publicity materials building donor relationships community arts nonprofits merge notes texting donors small donations board members donor slip on site training new donors moves management appeal letters Personalizing direct mail in honor of donations raffle Network for Good In-Kind gifts Tickles social media correspondance segmenting donors Groupings motivation code repeat donors tech tip holiday giving SYBUNTS holiday nonprofit fundraising End of Year Letters mailing tax summary letters donor loyalty how to handle auction gifts online donations phoning donors Crowdfunding Campaign major gift prospects new version FundRaiser Basic overview monthly giving targeted mailings flash sales donor targeting FundRaiser Spark disaster relief add ons spare fields happiness Thank You fundraising letters security brick campaign volunteering donor contact information endowment campaign donor advised funds importing csv ticketsales giving levels relationship tracking gift notes field adding personal notes to letters Thanksgiving updates alumni customer service vacation Volunteer module GivingTuesday lapsed donor email passwords features Facebook campaign management donor relations letter donation history Cloud data conversion ticket sales planned giving motivation Codes Congratulations increasing giving amounts upgrading donors tribute gifts correspondence the Ask backing up data Constant Contact appeal word processor training tip donor attrition Importing Data Reminders arts membership benefits auction ROI corporate sponsors operational costs online donations Excel welcome packet how-to videos recurring gifts reports gift entry mode code premiums donor retention rate event management change of address updating donor profile understanding giving trends campaign anonymous donors donor preferences donor recognition annual maintenance plan community broadcasting planning pledges Resiliency PayPal development director Task List custom page holiday letters user interface salutation budget technical support National Change of Address FundRaiser Hosted letter templates communications solicitors membership programs transparency fundraising GoFundMe project banquet upgrade thank you letters donor engagement office capital campaign LYBUNTS community supported gardens membersip benefits case study Snow Birds donor product news gift acceptance policy accounting software new leadership donor retention annual campaign major donors training support spreadsheets Alternative Addresses Reporting to IRS grants animal rescue user spotlights giving history mission driven personalizing letters grassroots campaign advanced tab new features donor prospects foundations prospects Company culture general

Connect With Us

  800-880-3454 ext 3
  Email Us
  Request More Information
  Monday-Friday
      8:30AM-5:30PM CST

Customer Portal Login Form

User Name:
Password:

If you are not sure about your Customer User Name, please call 800-543-4131 and we will be able to help you.

Or you have lost your password, Request Password