15 membership website examples & how to create one

We get it. For many nonprofit leaders, the sheer number of tasks on your to-do list can feel overwhelming. From generating revenue and engaging donors to sharing helpful content and offering enticing membership perks, it’s a lot to manage. 

That’s where a membership website comes in. It centralizes key information for your supporters and streamlines your nonprofit’s operations—and who couldn’t use a little more of that simplicity?

Here’s the good news: You don’t need a large team or a background in web design to build a successful membership site. Below, we’ll break down why nonprofit membership websites are so effective—and how to create one that supports your mission. 

Key takeaways

• Most nonprofits launch membership websites to generate recurring revenue and growth. 💸
• Membership programs don’t need complex paywalls or in-depth content libraries to be effective. Instead, you can include simple perks like welcome packs, exclusive updates, and discounted events. 🔓 
• Givebutter simplifies membership management with a free suite of tools, including donation forms, CRM, event management, widgets, and more. 🧈  
• A well-considered membership plan can increase supporter retention and recurring donations. 📈 

What is a membership website?

A membership website is a gated online space for your community, typically accessed with a login or password. 

Often, they provide access to exclusive content, resources, and special perks. They’re a great way to increase giving and engagement, and they can also help foster a sense of belonging and community among supporters. 

How to create a membership website in 6 steps

Creating a membership site might sound like a big lift—but when you break it into a few thoughtful steps, it becomes totally doable (even without a background in tech). Here are a few simple steps to get you started.

Step 1: Design your membership program ✨

Before you touch your website or forms, get clear on what you're offering and to whom. A well-designed program is the foundation of a successful membership site.

Start by answering three key questions:

1. Who is it for? Monthly givers? Volunteers? Alumni? Local partners? Specific donor groups?
2. What do they get? Gated content? Discounts? Exclusive access?
3. How do they join? Flat fee? Tiered levels? Recurring donations?

Popular membership perks include:

• Discounted event tickets
• Resource libraries or toolkits
• Facility or program access
• Members-only newsletter or updates

💡 Pro tip: The perks you offer should shape your website experience. For example, if you’re providing downloadable guides or training, you might want a members-only resource hub.

Step 2: Pick your platform 💻

Now that your program is mapped out, it’s time to decide how supporters will access it. 

The good news? With Givebutter, you don’t have to choose between a standalone page or your own website—you can do both.

You can:

• Create a branded fundraising page or form directly on Givebutter, and
• Easily embed that same form or button into your existing site—whether you’re using Squarespace, GoDaddy, WordPress, or another platform.

This gives you maximum flexibility. Use Givebutter as your full membership hub, or simply enhance your existing site with built-in donation, event, and CRM tools—no coding or developers needed.

Step 3: Build your membership form 📝

Your membership form is an introduction to your community. This is your opportunity to welcome new members, communicate your mission, and clearly explain the value of joining.

Here’s what to include:

• Your mission statement 🧭 Remind supporters what they're helping you achieve.
• Membership benefits 🎁 Outline what members receive (e.g., exclusive content, discounts, facility access).
• Custom branding 🎨Match your colors, logo, images, and copy to your nonprofit’s personality.

Your form isn't just for payments; it's your first impression. Make it warm, welcoming, and on-brand.

Step 4: Customize payments, fields, and frequency  🎯

Now that your form exists, it’s time to customize the supporter experience and decide what information to collect. Here are some ideas to get you started: 

• Supporter info (name, email, phone, address)
• Custom questions (e.g., “Where did you hear about our membership program?”)
• Donation labels (e.g., “Annual dues,” “Monthly supporter,” or “Membership level”)
• One-time or recurring donation options (monthly, quarterly, annual)
• Payment methods (credit/debit, ACH, PayPal)

💡 Pro tip: Keep your form short and sweet, but don’t miss your chance to collect helpful insights that deepen relationships with members.

Step 5: Embed your form 🔗

Once your form is ready, embed it on a landing page, homepage, or “Get Involved” section. Consider using one or more of these embed options:  

• Full-page form for dedicated membership pages
• Floating signup button for easy access across your site
• Membership signup block within existing content

With Givebutter, you can match your signup forms to your brand colors and install them with just a few clicks—no development team required. 

Step 6: Launch and promote 🚀

It’s time to launch your membership program and spread the word! Share your form through:

• Email newsletters and automated welcome flows
• Social media posts and stories
• Text messages to your supporter list
• Event signage or handouts with QR codes

Behind the scenes, Givebutter handles tasks like confirmation emails, data syncing, and donation receipts, so you can stay focused on building relationships.

Did you know?

The only membership application form template you need →

15 nonprofit membership website examples

We’ve rounded up some of our favorite nonprofit membership websites, showcasing a range of missions, models, and designs. 

These examples are intentionally easy for any nonprofit to replicate, whether your organization is just getting started or already well-established. 

1. Historic Albany Foundation 🏰

The Historic Albany Foundation offers a membership program for individuals passionate about preservation. Perks include access to a preservation-friendly contractor directory, discounts with partner organizations, and more. 

🤩 What members love about this website: The nonprofit’s logo stands out in the membership website design and aligns with the organization’s mission of historical preservation. Benefits are clearly listed, so prospective members know exactly what to expect. 

2. South East Alaska Guides Organization 🐟

South East Alaska Guides Organization offers four distinct membership programs. Each type of membership has its own donation page, keeping the process simple and straightforward.

🤩 What members love about this website: Membership perks include access to a wide range of resources and the opportunity to participate in policy discussions. This high level of involvement is clearly described on the membership website. 

3. Matador Club 🐂

The Matador Club supports Texas Tech athletes in making a positive impact. Membership is open to anyone who wants to contribute with a one-time, monthly, or annual donation. 

🤩 What members love about this website: This membership is available to anyone who believes in the mission and wants to give. The bold, vibrant photo makes for a visually striking and memorable membership website experience. 

4. MI Hands and Voices 👐

MI Hands and Voices supports the families of deaf, hard-of-hearing, or DeafBlind children. Parents and guardians receive their first year of membership free. This warm and inviting membership model is easy to replicate for small and growing nonprofits. 

🤩 What members love about this website: The featured photo emphasizes the community aspect of this membership program, demonstrating the deep connection between the nonprofit and its members.

5. Stokes Nature Center 🍂

Stokes Nature Center members receive priority registration at its summer camps, discounts with partner nature centers, and more. The center offers family, individual, and senior or student membership packages. 

🤩 What members love about this website: This membership website emphasizes the importance of the membership program to the organization’s larger values and mission. It also offers affordable membership tiers—just $35 for the year. 

6. Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County 🧑‍💼

The branding of this professional, minimalist website aligns well with its target audience: those in the legal field. The Chinese American Lawyers Association of Orange County empowers and elevates Chinese American legal contributions in the civic life of Orange County.  

🤩 What members love about this website: This page doesn’t shy away from administrative details. It clearly outlines membership tiers and highlights member benefits, like free or discounted event tickets. 

7. VaHi Business Memberships and Sponsorships 💼

The VaHi website is clear, inviting, and packed with opportunities for small businesses to get involved. With easy-to-navigate membership options, detailed perks, and strong visual branding, the site does a great job of showing businesses exactly what they’ll get by joining.

🤩 What members love about this website: The bold, monochrome design gives a professional feel and membership benefits are clearly explained with specific, concise bullet points. 

8. Rhythm Foundation 🎵

The Rhythm Foundation’s website hits all the right notes—simple, stylish, and full of ways to get involved. With a dedicated membership page, clear tier breakdowns, and easy donation options, it’s built to turn music lovers into supporters in just a few clicks.

🤩 What members love about this website: The engaging layout allows prospective members to easily compare the cost and perks of different membership levels. 

9. Show-Safe 🐕

Show-Safe's membership program offers separate signup forms for individuals and organizations, making it easy for anyone to get involved. Whether you're a junior handler, a lifelong enthusiast, or a kennel club looking to lead by example, there’s a membership tier tailored just for you.

🤩 What members love about this website: Supporters who feel more confident signing up for membership offline can do so via the mail-in address included on this membership page. Depending on your audience, offering a direct mail signup is a great way to keep things inclusive. 

10. Boardman Arts Park 🎨

Boardman Arts Park offers several membership tiers, each tied to different perks like branded swag, VIP event access, and discounted venue rentals. 

🤩 What members love about this website: Boardman Arts injects humor into its membership page with a playful graphic and fun tier names (like “Unicorn level”). As an arts organization, it’s only fitting that they lean into the visual element of their page.  

11. Austin History Center Association 📜

Austin History Center Association provides a general supporter website, combining its “donate” and “join” functions into a single button. From there, visitors are directed to a donation form with multiple giving options, including amount and frequency. 

🤩 What members love about this website: Just below the donate button, the site highlights their annual membership meeting, giving prospective members a preview of what they can expect. This sneak-peek approach is easy for any nonprofit to implement. 

12. Vibrant Lives MT 🌱

Vibrant Lives MT offers two distinct opportunities for involvement: One for making financial donations and another for nonmonetary community participation. 

🤩 What members love about this website: This inclusive membership site encourages all supporters to get involved, regardless of whether they can make a financial gift. The table clearly breaks down each membership tier’s purpose, exchange type, and focus, setting expectations and giving members something to get excited about. 

13. Bennington Theater 🎭

Bennington Theater puts its community center stage—literally. With a membership program called Backstage Pass, this creative nonprofit invites supporters to go beyond the audience and become true insiders. 

Whether you're a casual theatergoer or a die-hard drama fan, there’s a membership level designed to fit your passion and your budget.

🤩 What members love about this website: Bennington Theater makes membership accessible with monthly and yearly options. The affordable “Stage Hand” tier keeps the program inclusive, while the advanced “Director’s Circle” tier offers exciting perks, including a backstage pass!

14. Leave No Trace 🌊

Leave No Trace uses a simple (but effective) recurring donation model for its membership program. The nonprofit works to protect the natural world through education, strategies, and empowerment. 

🤩 What members love about this website: The description on this membership website shares a warm message of hope and inclusivity. The page also makes it easy for existing members to renew their membership, offering a seamless user experience. 

15. Yellowstone Bighorn Association ⛰️

In addition to offering more standard, member-only perks and content, the Yellowstone Bighorn Association entices new members with voting benefits. 

🤩 What members love about this website: This nonprofit’s membership page includes an email address for one of its leaders, meaning supporters can reach out directly with any questions. This personal touch helps foster lasting connections.  

Even more great membership website ideas

If you’re feeling inspired but unsure how to make your membership program stand out from the crowd, we’ve collected some of the best ideas to elevate your new membership website and provide value for your supporters. 

Supporter clubs by giving level 🎁

Fun and creative names for membership tiers can go a long way. Stage Hand, Ensemble, and Director’s Circle for a community theater are standout examples. Pair them with scalable perks—think discounts, VIP event entry, voting rights, and impact updates.

Members-only learning hubs 🎓

Give members access to exclusive content like toolkits, webinars, video tutorials, blog posts, or digital courses. This is especially effective for advocacy orgs, coalitions, or nonprofits focused on professional development. No matter the type of content you choose, make sure it adds value for your members. 

Early-access or VIP event passes 🎟️

Offer early registration or discounted pricing for galas, fun runs, lectures, or volunteer events. Givebutter’s event management tools can help streamline registration and boost participation. 

Welcome kits and merchandise 📦

A thoughtful welcome kit—featuring a warm welcome message and a professional onboarding process—can help you make a solid first impression and retain existing supporters. To keep members engaged, consider mailing quarterly gifts, handwritten notes, or branded swag. 

Exclusive impact updates 📰

Use your website to share campaign progress, behind-the-scenes videos, or exclusive members-only content. Givebutter’s email marketing tools make it easy to send personalized updates directly to your supporters’ inboxes. 

Referral programs and resources 💬

Give your supporters the resources they need to become advocates for your cause. Offer rewards for referring new donors or members, and encourage friendly competition with peer-to-peer fundraising. 

The best membership website platform tools

Creating a new website or improving an existing one can feel overwhelming, especially if you don’t have a large web team to help you. 

Fortunately, Givebutter offers a full suite of tools that work seamlessly together, making website building a breeze and streamlining every part of your fundraising. 

• Donation forms 📋 Donation forms can be customized to fit any membership program, adding a professional look. 
• CRM & donor segments 👨‍👨‍👦 Use donor segments to promote membership opportunities to the right audience. 
• Widgets 🌀 Easily embed various widgets, making it simple for supporters to access resources, buy tickets, and more. 
• Event management 🎈Choose a tool that handles every aspect of your event—from ticketing to thank-you notes—in one place. 
• Signup forms 🖊️ With signup forms, supporters can sign up for your newsletter, events, or volunteer opportunities in just a few clicks.

Build a memorable fundraising website with Givebutter

Every nonprofit can benefit from creating a membership website, no matter where you’re starting from. The right membership site can make a professional impression and attract supporters to your mission. With Givebutter, you can easily integrate a membership form on any website—no coding required.

Start engaging supporters with a membership experience that stands out. Sign up for your free Givebutter account today!