Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Program

Current Smithsonian Affiliates may offer their members an annual Smithsonian Affiliate Membership as part of their organization’s basic or premium membership package.

Two Memberships in One – “Affiliate members” receive the organization’s benefits PLUS a national membership from the Smithsonian.

What are the benefits of offering Smithsonian Affiliate Membership to our members?

Smithsonian level members enjoy the benefits of the local Affiliate PLUS an annual Smithsonian membership, which includes:

Effective June 2023, new benefits include:

• Smithsonian magazine (one year subscription, 12 issues)
• A personalized Smithsonian Affiliate membership card
• Free admission to the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, NY
• 10% discount on all Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
• Reciprocal Admission/Discount benefits at participating Smithsonian Affiliates
• Additional Smithsonian benefits can be found on Smithsonian.com. Benefits on Smithsonian.com are subject to change.

How does the program work?

The Smithsonian Affiliate Membership program is typically included as part of an Affiliate’s basic or premium membership package. Smithsonian level members enjoy the dual benefits of your organization’s program as well as an annual Smithsonian membership.

• $18.00 is the Affiliate cost of this benefit per member. This is the lowest offered membership rate from the Smithsonian. The general public pays a much higher rate for similar types of Smithsonian benefits. (The yearly newsstand price for Smithsonian Magazine is $107; the Smithsonian Membership – $46.)
• Smithsonian Affiliations encourages participants to sell the Smithsonian membership benefit at a rate higher than the $14 cost for a profit margin.
• Comprehensive Plan – The most successful way of facilitating this additional membership is to integrate this into the full membership base, however it can be offered it in a variety of combinations and levels.
• Upon the receipt of your members’ names and payment, Smithsonian Magazine will generate member magazine subscriptions and membership cards in 4 – 6 weeks. Members will also be mailed Smithsonian Journeys Travel Adventure study tour information and the Smithsonian retail catalogue.
• The Smithsonian will not solicit renewal of your Smithsonian Affiliate members or sell member information to a third party.
• While Affiliate organizations may extend discounts to visiting Smithsonian Affiliate Members from other Affiliate museums and organizations, reciprocity is not required. Affiliates may determine their own policies with regard to visiting Smithsonian Institution Members (these are in the categories of Smithsonian National Associate, Smithsonian Resident Associate, or Friends of the Smithsonian).

For any additional questions, email Affiliatemember@si.edu

An optional, added benefit is the Smithsonian Reciprocal Membership Program which is available to all participating Affiliates.

How is payment processed?

Smithsonian Affiliations payment processing is operated and provided by SFG.

Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Payment Portal is currently available for use. If you are a Smithsonian Affiliate that currently offers the Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Program, you can begin submitting your member’s information electronically, through the Membership Payment Portal.

For any questions regarding the Smithsonian Affiliate Membership Program, and/or access to the Membership Portal, please contact Natalie Wimberly at Affiliatemember@si.edu

Please consult the Submitting Orders and Payments guide for more information on how to navigate the portal. For answers to our most frequently asked questions, please reference the Membership Processing FAQs.

How do I market and promote membership?

The Smithsonian Affiliate membership logo is required to market and promote your participation as an Affiliate offering the Smithsonian Affiliate membership. It signals to your members that they are becoming a Smithsonian member. Logos should be used on site and on all membership marketing materials.

The Affiliate Membership Toolkit includes tips on marketing to your organizational members.

As with all Smithsonian printed materials, the use of the Smithsonian name and logo must be approved in advance. Logos are available from the Smithsonian Affiliations office. Copies of membership materials for review should go to Affiliatemember@si.edu.

Member has not received their card. Is there an electronic version?

While e-membership cards are still not a subscription option, Members can receive a temporary pdf membership card via email.

Using this verification link, add the name and address of the Member to authenticate the membership. Once verified, a pdf e-card can be downloaded and emailed to the Member or saved to a mobile device.

Please note: The name and address of the Member must match exactly to the Member information that was submitted by the Affiliate to Smithsonian Magazine for processing of the subscription for the authentication to be successful.