We’re improving our membership process
Members play a critical role in our work, teaching the world about wolves. Without the dedication and passion of our supporters, we would not be able to continue to reach people near and far.
Since I began working at the International Wolf Center, I have been working with staff to review our processes to identify areas where we could work smarter and ensure we are good stewards of your generous contributions.
During this review process, one of the areas that needed immediate attention was how we process gifts to the Center. Our current process treats membership contributions and donations separately, regularly leading to confusion both with internal tracking and with external communication.
We realized it would greatly simplify matters to make everyone who gives a gift of $50 or more to the International Wolf Center a member. It would also enhance our ability to teach the world about wolves, as members take advantage of our educational benefits including free admission to our Center in Ely, Minnesota, discounts on adventure programs and webinars, and our outstanding quarterly member magazine, International Wolf.
We have always valued each and every one of you as a member of our pack, but you weren’t all being treated the same. So, effective November 1, everyone who donates $50 or more is a member! If you give a gift through one of our mail campaigns, give on our website or donate during Give to the Wolves Day, it will all count toward your membership. (Gifts in-kind do not count towards membership.)
If you do not wish to receive printed magazines you can opt-out or request to receive digital copies instead, saving resources and maximizing your gift. Be sure to check those boxes on the next campaign letter you receive or email membership@wolf.org to request the changes immediately.
Thank you for supporting all our educational efforts. If you have any questions about these changes, please contact our Communications and Engagement Director, Chad Richardson, by email at chad@wolf.org or by phone at 763-233-7138. You can also use the menu below to find answers to frequently asked questions.
Sincerely,
Grant Spickelmier
Executive Director
What’s changing for members?
Very little is changing for members of the International Wolf Center.
The two key changes are
- The $25 student membership is now strictly for students and includes a digital subscription to the magazine. To receive a student membership, email our Membership Engagement Specialist, Maddie McGeffers, at maddie@wolf.org;
- Admission benefits have changed. The $50 level still admits one person. Every level above that admits four people. For current members who visit the Center and have more than four people in their immediate family, please do reach out to us. We can provide additional entry passes for you.
Members will still receive emailed and/or printed notices in the mail about when their benefits are going to expire. Members will still get four issues of International Wolf magazine and those at the $75 level and above will also get our Rendezvous ambassador wolf yearbook. Members can opt to receive these publications digitally. Just email us at membership@wolf.org if you’d like to receive digital magazines.
What’s changing for donors?
Effective Nov. 1, your donation of $50 or more makes you a member. Many donors over the years haven’t received any benefits. These changes fix that, which means we can get more wolf information into more hands.
If you make a donation of $50, you’ll receive four copies of our magazine, International Wolf, which features important stories about wolves across the world. You’ll also receive discounts on webinars, products in our store and programs.
Gifts accrue over a 12 month period so if, later in the year, you make another donation of $50, you’re eligible for additional benefits. See below for more information on membership benefits.
Of course, if you want to opt out of these benefits, just let us know by sending an email to membership@wolf.org. You can receive your magazines in a digital format or opt to not receive them at all.
What do I have to do?
If you are a current member of the International Wolf Center, there’s nothing you have to do! Just make sure you renew your membership when you get a notice in the mail.
If you are someone who has donated $50 or more within the past 12 months, congratulations! You’re a member and you’ll start receiving magazines in 2023. Just watch your mail, where you’ll receive notices from us when your benefits are about to expire.
If you’d like to receive those notices through email instead, please just let us know by writing to membership@wolf.org.
What are the membership benefits?
How can I waive my benefits?
To opt-out of your benefits, please send an email to membership@wolf.org. You have an option to receive the magazines in digital format or not at all. Please let us know your preference.
Can I still give through my IRA, DAF or Foundation?
Yes! Giving through IRAs, DAFs and foundations is encouraged. Benefits may be limited due to IRS laws and fund restrictions. Please contact us with any questions.
What happened to the student membership?
Student memberships are still available and can be purchased by contacting the membership engagement specialist via email by writing to membership@wolf.org. They are still $25.
Student memberships are intended for currently enrolled K-12 or college students.
Students will receive the magazine in digital format only. Students also receive a membership sticker and the e-newsletter. A valid school email address is required for a student membership.
What happened to the senior membership?
Over the years, a few senior citizens were offered the student rate as an informal discount.
There was not a formal policy on this and it was not applied consistently. We want to fix that with this new model.
We’re asking those seniors who had $25 student memberships to go up to the $50 level when it is time to renew.
We’d be happy to work with those who seek more economical memberships, including small recurring monthly donations to break up the payments. By donating just $4.50 per month, you can become a member of the International Wolf Center and your benefits begin right away.
If these options don’t work for you, please let us know. We do not want to lose your support. You can reach our Communications and Engagement Director, Chad Richardson, by calling 763-233-7138 or by emailing him at chad@wolf.org.
About donations under $50
Anyone who has donated a total of $50 or more in the previous 12 months is considered a member.
Donations are cumulative, so if you make a donation of $30 in January and then a $25 donation in May, you’re a member!
The International Wolf Center appreciates donations of any denomination. Donations of under $50 are, as always, sincerely appreciated!
Donations of under $50 do not include membership benefits.
About Give to the Wolves Day
If you’re someone who makes a donation to Give to the Wolves Day, your contribution will finally be counted toward your membership!
How do I renew my membership?
You’ll receive an email and/or printed notices in the mail if your membership benefits are going to expire. All you have to do to renew your membership is make a donation of $50 or more.
When does my membership expire?
You are a member of the International Wolf Center if you’ve donated $50 or more over the past 12 months. Your membership expires one year from the date of your last gift of $50 or more.
You will be receiving emailed and/or printed notices that include this information.
If you have questions about this or want to learn your expiration date, please email us at membership@wolf.org or call Chad at 763-233-7138.
How can I get my renewal notices by email?
If you’d like to get your renewal notices by email, please let us know! Just send an email to membership@wolf.org and we’ll get you switched over right away!
When does this take effect?
These changes take effect on Nov. 1, 2022.
What donations don’t count toward my membership?
There are a few instances where donations do not count toward membership benefits.
Those include:
- Making a donation through Facebook. We do not receive enough information from Facebook about each donation to ensure they are properly credited;
- In-kind donations;
- Buying a retail product;
- Bidding on an auction item;
- Special event ticket purchases and admission fees at the Center;
Donations received from IRAs, DAFs and foundations may have limited benefits to due to IRS laws and fund restrictions. Please contact us with questions
Will I still get a membership card and sticker?
Yes! Everyone who makes a donation of $50 or more will receive a membership card and sticker!
How are international members affected?
International members can now opt to have their magazines delivered electronically instead of through the mail. This change ensures timely delivery of each issue. To switch to electronic delivery now, email our membership department at membership@wolf.org.
I have a recurring donation scheduled. How does this affect me?
Anyone who has a recurring donation that would total $50 or more in 12 months is considered a member once the first recurring donation is made.
That means you could donate $20 monthly, for example, and be considered a member right away.
My membership benefits when I joined are different than the ones above. Now what?
If you are a current member of the Center, your benefits are not immediately changing. We will honor those benefits for one year from the time of purchase. So, for example, if you bought a membership for $250 in June 2022 to admit six people into the Center, you keep those benefits until June 2023.
Who can I contact if I still have questions?
We understand you may still have some questions about this change. If you do, please email our Communications and Engagement Director, Chad Richardson, at chad@wolf.org or call Chad at 763-233-7138.
