Lyndale Sustaining Membership FAQ

Lyndale Sustaining Membership
Frequently Asked Questions

What is LNA’s Sustainable Membership Program all about?
LNA’s Sustainable Membership Program allows LNA’s supporters an easy, safe, and reliable way to financially support their neighborhood organization.  The program will provide LNA with a consistent and predictable level of support that will help support our efforts to create a safe, vibrant, sustainable community by helping us develop strong year round programming, by increasing the support we receive, and by helping balance our cash flow throughout the year.

Why is LNA starting a sustaining membership program?
There are a couple of reasons LNA is starting a sustaining membership program.  The first is that the amount of public money for neighborhoods is set to dramatically decline over the next few years, which means we are going to be a lot more reliant upon contributions from people in the neighborhood to be able to continue having the same level of programs and activities we have today.  The second reason is that we think sustaining memberships will be easier for donors, who can just a set amount they want to give and have it automatically deducted from the credit/debit card of their choice.  It will also be a lot easier for LNA, because we’ll know how much people are planning on giving and when they are planning on giving.

Why should I donate to LNA?
LNA works hard to be the go-to resource for the neighborhood.  During the past year we have continued to strengthen our neighborhood to make sure community members have the ability to keep their neighborhood safe, influence development in the neighborhood, and build connections with each other.  

Your contribution to LNA helps to make sure your neighborhood organization can continue to:

• Keep the neighborhood safe through programs like the Lyndale Bike Cops and the Lyndale Walkers.
• Encourage community led events like the Lyndale Garden Tour, Random Acts of Kindness, and Litter Outta Lyndale.
• Hold fun community events like Fish Fest, La Posada, Summer Sampler, Concerts in the Park, and the Open House which bring community members together to get to know each other and strengthen our community.  
• Bring together the neighborhood’s youth providers to expand out-of-school programming so Lyndale youth have safe spaces to enhance their knowledge and skills.

Are there any special benefits to becoming a Sustaining Member?
Why yes there are!  One of the things we are hoping to accomplish through this program is to strengthen our relationships with our donors.  We know that you work hard for your money and we want to make sure that you understand how much we appreciate it when you choose to support LNA.  We are introducing the program with a series of nice thank you gifts.  A package of gifts that we will continually be working to improve; but don’t worry, we’ll always make sure to treat our current sustaining members well and to reward them for having already signed up!

What is the difference between being a sustaining member and a traditional donation?
First of all we love both!  The only difference between a sustaining member and a regular donation is that a sustaining member has signed up to have donations made on a scheduled basis, where a person making a traditional donation generally donates in response to a mailing or other appeal.

My work has a matching program, can I use that to be a sustaining member?
Yes!  Many companies provide matching gifts as a way to support the charitable organizations that their employees do.  We encourage you to check with your HR department to see if your company provides any type of match for your donations.  Aryca in our office would be happy to help you fill out any forms you have or in providing any information you need to have your donation qualify for the match.

Do I have to give on a monthly basis to be a sustaining member?
You don’t.  To be a sustaining member you do need to sign up to donate on a regular basis.  On the GiveMN site that LNA is currently using you can do this on a weekly, monthly, or annual basis.

Do I have to give through GiveMN to be counted as a sustaining member?
No you don’t, you are more than welcome to support LNA through your companies payroll deduction giving program, United Way, through an automatic payment from your financial institution, or in any other way that works for you.  To become a sustaining member all you need to do is provide a regularly scheduled contribution to LNA and let us know what you have planned.

How safe is it to give through GiveMN?
A big reason why LNA chose to use GiveMN for this program is because of their excellent reputation for protecting people’s private information.  GiveMN is currently being used by over 3,000 nonprofit organizations in Minnesota and is being supported by some of the biggest foundations in Minnesota as a way to encourage more Minnesotans to support Minnesota’s nonprofit organizations.

Are my donations still tax deductable?
Yes!  Your donations to LNA are still deductable to the full extent of the law.

Who do I talk to if I have questions about the program?
You can always talk to any of LNA’s Board Members or staff about the program.  Specific questions should go to Aryca Myers (aryca@lyndale.org/612.824.9402 x 26) LNA’s Volunteer and Fundraising Coordinator or Mark Hinds (mark@lyndale.org/612.824.9402 x 16) LNA’s Executive Director.