Event sponsorships can be a game-changer for your association, providing the resources you need to host exceptional events while giving sponsors valuable visibility and engagement opportunities. However, securing sponsorships isn't just about asking for money—it’s about creating unique, win-win opportunities that make your events unforgettable.

Recent reports show that member retention concerns persist for associations, and they are perceived as one of the biggest impediments to organizational growth. However, there are myriad reasons for membership loss, and associations must address their unique challenges to boost retention.

Losing members is a sign to reassess your membership program. Is your communication strategy lacking? Is your marketing strategy falling short? Or maybe members are joining other associations to get more value. If you suspect this is the case, it’s time to start brainstorming how to upgrade your program’s benefits and strategies to keep members engaged.

Imagine this: you’ve just hosted a successful auction, bringing in tons of non-dues revenue and providing an engaging experience for your members. Through this event, you’ve built relationships with new members and strengthened connections with existing ones.

Associations are always searching for ways to improve member and staff experiences. Many are looking to online learning to help them do that, but launching or scaling up initiatives can seem daunting. Will the experiences resonate with members? Will the technology create work for staff? In short, are the results going to be worth the effort?

Acquiring employees with the right skills, experiences, and traits to join your association is a crucial part of the hiring process, but it’s only the first step. Once you’ve built a pool of interested candidates, you need to maintain their interest in your organization. Otherwise, they might take their talent elsewhere, making the process feel more frantic for your team.

Imagine you’re trying to promote an upcoming conference to your association members. You start by filming a video that highlights your past events and creating ads with details about your conference’s location, agenda, and registration instructions.

Membership incentives are the rewards or benefits that your organization’s members receive for being part of the program. While most of these incentive programs give members exclusive discounts at certain retailers, they can also offer more tailored perks. To create an effective program that encourages them to renew their memberships, donate to fundraisers, and remain active in your organization, it’s essential to connect with members regularly and craft a program that appeals to them.

Legacy giving offers a valuable opportunity for all fundraising organizations that leave lasting impacts on people’s lives—associations included. But its benefits can only be sustained with effective donor stewardship and relationship-building along the way, especially after a member works with you to create such a meaningful gift.