Membership Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why haven’t I received my membership cards yet?
2. I’ve lost my membership card and I want to visit a wildlife sanctuary, register for camp, or sign up for a program. What should I do?
3. Who is covered by my membership?
4. Can I bring a guest with me when I visit a wildlife sanctuary?
5. Why haven’t I received the most recent issue of Sanctuary magazine and/or Connections newsletter?
6. I have moved or changed my contact information. How do I notify Mass Audubon of my new address, e-mail, and/or telephone number?
7. Can I automatically renew my membership each year?
8. How do I give someone a Mass Audubon membership as a gift?
9. Are membership dues tax deductible?
10. What is the difference between membership dues and donations?
11. What is Mass Audubon’s Tax ID Number?
12. Why am I still getting renewal notices after I have already renewed my membership?
13. Where is my free thank you gift or membership benefit item?
14. Will I receive free admission to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries with my National Audubon Society membership card?
15. Does Mass Audubon donate memberships for Auctions?
16. Is Mass Audubon a chapter of National Audubon Society?
17. Can you remove me from a membership mail, e-mail, or telephone list?
18. I saw the name Convio on the Mass Audubon website. Who is Convio?
19. What is the Fund for Nature?

Answers

1. Why haven’t I received my membership cards yet?
   It generally takes about 3-4 weeks to process a renewal or new membership and send your new membership cards. If you have still not received your cards after this time period, please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org.
2. I’ve lost my membership card and I want to visit a wildlife sanctuary, register for camp, or sign up for a program. What should I do?
   If you have lost your membership card, please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org. We will verify your membership status, provide you with your member number, and send you replacement cards. If you have just misplaced your cards and want to visit a wildlife sanctuary, the admission staff at the wildlife sanctuary would be happy to confirm your membership by checking their on-site membership listing.
3. Who is covered by my membership?
   Student and Individual level memberships entitle one named student/adult to free wildlife sanctuary admission; Family and Supporter level memberships entitle up to two named adults living in the same household and their children or grandchildren under the age of 18 to free admission; membership levels above the Supporter level entitle up to two named adults living in the same household and their children and grandchildren under the age of 18 to free admission, plus free admission for the number of guests (one or two) specified for that level.
   
   Mass Audubon membership is nontransferable. Members enjoy free admission during normal hours of operation, with the exception of occasional, special fundraising days.
   
   Please see Membership Benefits for more details.
4. Can I bring a guest with me when I visit a wildlife sanctuary?
   Members at the Family Plus level may bring ONE free guest when visiting Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Members at the Contributor level or higher may bring TWO free guests when visiting Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries. Mass Audubon membership is nontransferable. Members enjoy free admission during normal hours of operation, with the exception of occasional, special fundraising days.
   
   Please see Membership Benefits for more details.
5. Why haven’t I received the most recent issue of Sanctuary magazine and/or Connections newsletter?
   Sanctuary magazine and Connections newsletter are published three times each year and mailed to all current members. If you have not received the most recent issue, please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org so we can verify your address, confirm your membership status, and send you another copy. Publications are mailed at the non-profit bulk rate and delivery times vary according to your local post office.
6. I have moved or changed my contact information. How do I notify Mass Audubon of my new address, e-mail, and/or telephone number?
   To inform us of an address, e-mail, or telephone number change, please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org. For a mailing address update, please provide the following information:
   • Your old address, including first name, last name, street, city, state, and zip code
   • Your new address, including first name, last name, street, city, state, and zip code
   • Your Mass Audubon membership ID Number (if known)
7. Can I automatically renew my membership each year?
   Yes, you can! Auto Renew is a green, convenient way to renew your membership. When you enroll in Auto Renew your annual membership dues will be automatically charged to your Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. Sign up when you renew your membership.
8. How do I give someone a Mass Audubon membership as a gift?
   Please see our Gift Membership page for more details.
9. Are membership dues tax deductible?
   Mass Audubon membership dues are tax deductible to the full extent provided by law.
   The letter that comes with your membership cards is your receipt and it includes the date and amount of your membership dues payment.
10. What is the difference between membership dues and donations?
    Your membership dues provide vital support to Mass Audubon’s statewide conservation efforts, and entitle you to exclusive benefits and member-only discounts, including free admission to our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries, discounts on purchases at our gift shops, and one-year subscriptions to Sanctuary magazine and Connections, a statewide newsletter for our members.
    When you make a gift over and above your membership dues you further benefit Mass Audubon’s important work, protecting wildlife and wild lands in Massachusetts, but donations do not renew your membership.
11. What is Mass Audubon’s Tax ID Number?
    Mass Audubon’s Tax ID Number (Employer Identification Number, or EIN) is 04-2104702.
12. Why am I still getting renewal notices after I have already renewed my membership?
    Your membership renewal payment and our mailings do sometimes cross in the mail or online. We are grateful for your continuing support and sorry for any inconvenience that may result from this overlap. If you renewed your membership more than 3-4 weeks ago and still have not received your thank you letter and updated membership cards, please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org.
13. Where is my free thank you gift or membership benefit item?
    Free gifts and membership benefit items are usually shipped at the non-profit rate (third-class). They can take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. If it has been more than eight weeks since your payment was processed, and you still have not received your gift or benefit item, please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org.
14. Will I receive free admission to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries with my National Audubon Society membership card?
    Mass Audubon operates as an independently managed organization and has no affiliation with National Audubon Society, therefore National Audubon Society members are not eligible to receive free admission to Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries or any other Mass Audubon membership benefits.
    One of the great advantages of being a Mass Audubon member is the opportunity to visit our statewide network of wildlife sanctuaries. You will also receive discounts on purchases at our gift shops (where you can find everything from bird feeders to binoculars) and one-year subscriptions to Sanctuary magazine, our informative and insightful publication and Connections, a statewide newsletter for our members.
15. Does Mass Audubon donate memberships for Auctions?
    Yes. Mass Audubon receives numerous requests to support local 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations and has implemented the following guidelines in order for all requests to be treated equitably.
    If you are seeking a donation from Mass Audubon, please read the following Donation Request Policy –
    • Mass Audubon supports Massachusetts 501(c)(3) non-profits only, that benefit Massachusetts communities and citizens.
    • No monetary donations will be given.
    • Donations are limited to one (1) Family level membership per organization per year.
    • Donation requests will be accepted only via our online request form.
    • Donation requests should be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to your event or deadline.
    If you meet all of the above requirements, please fill out the Auction Donation Request Form, and submit it to Mass Audubon at least 6 weeks prior to your event. You will be notified via email within 10 business days if your request has been approved.

16. Is Mass Audubon a chapter of National Audubon Society?
    Mass Audubon is not a chapter of National Audubon Society.
    Founded in 1896, Mass Audubon was the first Audubon society in the United States. Over the next 10 years other state Audubon societies came into existence. In 1907, these state societies formed an organization called the National Association of Audubon Societies to better coordinate conservation activities nationwide.
    In 1940, the National Association officially incorporated under its present organizational identity, the National Audubon Society. Mass Audubon made the decision to remain independent and continues to operate as an independently managed organization today.
17. Can you remove me from a membership mail, e-mail, or telephone list?
    We’re happy to accommodate your communication preferences. Please call Member Services at (781) 259-9500 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm) or e-mail membership@massaudubon.org to be removed from a membership mail, e-mail, or telephone list. If you would like to be removed from a mail list, please provide the following information:
    • Your name and address exactly as they appear on the mailing
    • The mailing code, which usually begins with the letter “A” or “M”
    Please note that because many of our mailings are prepared in advance, it might take some time before the change takes full effect. We appreciate your patience and will do everything we can to expedite the process.
18. I saw the name Convio on the Mass Audubon website. Who is Convio?
    Convio, Inc. is an internet software and services company that provides online electronic Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) solutions for nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions. Mass Audubon has partnered with Convio to develop and enhance our online member service program and other online program initiatives.
19. What is the Fund for Nature?
    The Fund for Nature is Mass Audubon’s annual fund, supported by thoughtful gifts from our friends and supporters, over and above their membership dues.

    Donations to the Fund for Nature enable Mass Audubon staff and volunteers—land protection specialists, scientists, teachers, environmental advocates, and others—to carry out our important work.

    Together we have protected 35,000 acres across the state, but open space in Massachusetts is under intense pressure from development, and we must act quickly when wildlife and habitat are at risk. Mass Audubon’s Fund for Nature gives us this essential agility. Anyone may contribute, and gifts of all sizes are accepted—and encouraged! More FAQ about the Fund for Nature.