Become a Member

Being a member of Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness means you are a part of a community that directly supports our mission to protect, preserve and restore the Boundary Waters Wilderness and Quetico-Superior ecosystem through a wide range of advocacy, educational, and volunteer programs.

We offer multiple membership types, all with their own unique and exciting benefits.

Your membership is active as soon as you join or renew online, or payment is received, and is valid for one year. Your membership information will be sent to you shortly after we receive your gift.

Memberships are fully tax-deductible.

Membership Levels & Benefits

Protector

$30 / year

  • Quarterly print newsletter
  • Receive member benefit card
  • Invitation to annual member event
  • Annual Member sticker (by request)
  • Access to Member Partner discounts

Guardian

$100 / year

  • Pre-sale/priority registration to events
  • Invitation to an annual member event and fall gala
Plus All Protector Benefits

 

Champion

$500 / year

  • Invitation to seasonal events
  • Ticket discounts to select events
  • Invitations to exclusive litigation updates with our legal team
  • Invitation to the Boundary Waters Breakfast
Plus All Protector & Guardian Benefits

Sigurd Olson Circle

$1000 / year

  • Free entry to the Boundary Waters Breakfast
  • Invitation to exclusive Sigurd Olson Circle events
  • Free annual gift
  • Quarterly behind-the-scenes legislative, legal, and program updates
  • Additional benefits to be revealed throughout the year
Plus All Protector, Guardian & Champion Benefits

Sustainer

Any recurring gift of $5/month or more

  • Free Sustaining Member magnet
  • The greenest giving option as it reduces paper usage and requires no renewal.
Plus All Protector Benefits

Gift a Membership

Want to share a membership with friends, family, or that special paddler in your life? All our memberships and their benefits can be shared as a gift! Your gift of a membership can be accompanied by an exclusive Friends of the Boundary Waters ceramic mug, hand-thrown by local artisans at Deneen Pottery.

Contact our membership team if you have any additional questions.

Membership Partners

The Friends of the Boundary Waters has partnered with organizations that believe in protecting the Boundary Waters ecosystem from Quetico to Lake Superior. We as a staff sought out these organizations to work with on a deeper level, and wish you to visit them for their support of our mission. In turn, partners offered a benefit for you as well for supporting the Boundary Waters. This list will change every year and we encourage you to utilize each of them! They all look forward to hearing from you.

  • Repair Lair, Minneapolis, MN
    • Spend $40 on anything in store, get a free pair of warm socks, limit one per visit
  • Fjällräven, Twin Cities, MN
    • 20% off your purchase. Cannot combine with other offers
  • Vikre Distillery, Duluth, MN
    • BOGO cocktails on site, limit one per visit
  • Forester John Essential Oils, St. Paul, MN
    • 15% off all products (contact us for promo code)
  • Grey Duck Outdoor, Roseville, MN
    • 10% off all stand up paddle boards and canoes (contact us for promo code)
  • Sanborn Paddles, Winona, MN
    • 15% off all paddles (contact us for promo code)
  • SK Coffee, St. Paul & Minneapolis, MN
    • BOGO drip coffee (buy one get one)
  • Bent Paddle Brewery, Duluth MN
    • Free beer size upgrade, limit one per visit
  • Pilllar Forum, Minneapolis, MN
    • BOGO drip coffee (buy one get one)
  • Rutabaga Paddlesports, Madison, WI
    • 20% off BWCA maps (contact us for promo code)
  • Mill City Running, Minneapolis, MN
    • 10% off products (contact us for promo code)
  • Granite Gear, Two Harbors, MN
    • 25% off and free shipping on orders over $49 dollars. Contact us for promo code
  • Ely Cabin Collective, Ely MN (contact us for promo code)
    • $100 off when you book a 3-night stay
  • Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis, MN
    • $1.00 off any beverage
  • Sawtooth Outfitters, Tofte, MN
    • Rent a canoe for four days, get the fifth day free
  • Glorud Design, Duluth, MN
    • $20 dollars off a full priced paddle
  • Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2 free tickets to paid exhibitions
  • Pebble Day Spa, Rochester, Duluth, Virginia and Ely, MN
    • $5 off any 30 minutes or longer service. Cannot be used with any other discount or special, valid until Dec.31, 2024.
  • Barbette Restaurant, Minneapolis, MN
    • One free beverage with the purchase of one meal
  • Pat’s Tap, Minneapolis, MN
    • One free beverage with the purchase of one meal
  • Pinoli, Minneapolis, MN
    • One free beverage with the purchase of one meal
  • Tiny Diner, Minneapolis, MN
    • One free beverage with the purchase of one meal
  • Delta Beer Lab, Madison, WI
    • $2 off the first two pints
  • True North Map Company, Grand Marais, Ely, Tofte, Roseville, Maple Grove, MN
    • BOGO half-off BWCAW/Quetico maps (contact us for promo code)
  • Canal Park Brewing, Duluth, MN
    • $1.00 off any beverage
  • Northshore Adventure Park, Silver Bay, MN
    • BOGO half-off tickets. Limit one per visit. contact via their website so they can generate a code unique to each member
  • Reverie Cafe & Bar, Minneapolis, MN
    • BOGO drink half-off. The discounted beverage will be the less expensive one. The two beverages need to be purchased at the same time.
  • Red Bird Concepts, Saint Louis Park, MN
    • 20% off regular priced items and an additional 10% off items already marked down. Please contact RBC for promo code.
  • On Water app
    • 50% off the app for a year. Please contact us for promo code.

Give With Confidence

At the Friends, we hold ourselves to the highest ethical and financial standards. We are regularly reviewed and evaluated by independent organizations so you can be confident that your gift has the greatest possible impact on our beloved wilderness.

Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, tax ID: 36-3414821. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Questions?

Our membership team is ready to answer any questions you have at 612-332-9630 or mike@friends-bwca.org. You can also see our Frequently Asked Questions below.

How Long Is My Friends Of The Boundary Waters Wilderness Membership Active?

Your membership is valid for 12 months from the date of the gift.

How Do I Activate My Membership Benefits?

Your benefits get started automatically once your membership is activated – keep an eye on your email and mail to find out about exclusive access to events and get access to special deals with our membership partners.

Are Memberships For Individuals Or Households?

Our memberships are for individuals but to keep things as green as possible, printed materials will be sent by household.

Will I Receive A Membership Card?

We send out membership cards once per year, in the spring.  Any other time of the year you may request a copy of your membership card by sending an email to membership@friends-bwca.org

If I Make A Gift Before My Renewal Date, Will My Membership Extend?

Yes, if you make an additional gift before your membership needed to be renewed (thank you!), your new membership expiration date will be 12 months from your most recent gift if it meets membership criteria.

Will You Remind Me When It’s Time To Renew?

Absolutely – we’ll reach out to you when it’s time to renew your membership!

Is My Membership Tax-Deductible?

Yes – all our memberships are fully tax deductible.

Can I Purchase A Membership As A Gift For Someone Else?

Absolutely – on any donation form, find the section “Gift Membership” and provide us the full contact information for the gift membership recipient. We will let them know you have shared your love for the Boundary Waters with them!

Who Do I Contact If I Need To Update The Information On My Membership?

You can drop us a line anytime at membership@friends-bwca.org or give our office a call at 612-332-9630.