As of January 2025, active SAH members who also make qualifying donations to the Society are eligible to receive a newly revamped package of member benefits including discounts, early access to programs, and public recognition. The new perks are part of an overall update to the structure and pricing SAH's Upper-Level, Life, and Benefactor memberships.
The Society also announces the creation of a brand-new formal designation for its consistently generous Lifetime members, the President's Circle.
Leveling-up the Upper-Levels
Every SAH member receives a robust package of benefits including access to a world-class professional network, exclusive programs, and online resources. Upper-Level, Life and Benefactor memberships now include extra benefits.
Upper-Level members pay dues equivalent to a standard individual membership plus a tax-deductible donation. There are three categories of Upper-Level memberships to allow members to choose the best fit for them. Effective October 1, 2024, SAH reconfigured donation amounts to encourage sustainable future giving. The Society also took the opportunity to introduce architectural nomenclature into the mix. Going forward, Supporting members will be called Cornerstone members; Patron members will be called Pillar members; and Donor members will be called Keystone members. Upper Level members will continue to be acknowledged in the JSAH.
SAH is thankful for these donors stepping up their support. Benefits for Upper-Level members have been expanded as follows. Cornerstone, Pillar, and Keystone members will now receive an additional discount of 5%, 7%, or 8%, respectively, on registration for the annual spring conference. They will also enjoy advance notice and early-access registration for SAH's popular travel programming through Study and Excursion tours. Previously offered upper-level benefits will be maintained, such as recognition in JSAH and complimentary membership in the Frank Lloyd Wright Reciprocal Sites Program.
Upper-Level membership starts at $323 for individuals, with pricing also available for upgrading to a joint membership.
SAH's highest-tier memberships, Life and Benefactor, are also receiving an update. Life membership is the best way to endorse SAH’s mission and aid its financial well-being. On October 1, SAH raised the Life membership to $5,000, payable at once or in four annual installments of $1,250. This one-time membership fee pays annual benefits for life.
Upgrading comes with extra rewards: Life members receive a complimentary walking tour at the Annual Conference (booked in advance on a space available basis), FLW Reciprocal Site membership, recognition across our publications, and early access to SAH Study and Excursion tours. Additionally, they never have to worry about renewing and will never have their access to resources interrupted.
Benefactor Membership is $10,000 which includes a one-time tax-deductible gift of $5000. Benefactor members receive the Life Member benefits and are recognized as the leading supporters of the Society.
Introducing the President's Circle
Many SAH Life Members demonstrate ongoing commitment to the Society with annual gifts. To recognize this group of above-and-beyond sustainers, the Society announces the creation of a new formal program: the President's Circle. Beginning in January 2025, those paid-in-full Life or Benefactor Members who make yearly gifts totaling $1,000 or more will be formally recognized as members of the President’s Circle.
President’s Circle Members will receive a 10% discount on member registration for the annual spring conference and can expect invitations to exclusive events and tours throughout the year. Their names will be printed in a distinguished list in four quarterly issues of JSAH, and they will also be specially recognized from the podium at SAH Celebrates — SAH’s annual awards gala and fundraiser held Chicago.
"We are immensely grateful to these individuals, whose steadfast financial support has had powerful impacts in the architectural history community,” said Executive Director Ben Thomas. “Their gifts have enabled the Society to sustain the highest level of programming, offer record levels of grant and fellowship funding to our community, and steward our historic headquarters facilities in Chicago. It is a pleasure to elevate their example of generosity with this formal recognition.”
The Society will publish an inaugural roll call of President's Circle members in JSAH Volume 84 Issue 1, coming this March.
By Members, For Members
“This is our SAH, and there has never been a better time to champion its mission to engage, understand, interpret, and learn from our past,” said SAH Development Committee Chair Abigail Van Slyck. “The committee and I hope current and prospective members will be excited by these updates and feel motivated to back SAH.”
The suite of updates to SAH memberships was advised by the SAH Development Committee. Although membership dues regularly increased to meet rising operational costs, donation schedules had not been revisited in more than 20 years.
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Image: Members attend a paper session during SAH's 77th International Conference in Montreal. Photo by Luigi D'Astolfo.
