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
- Digital invite to an annual exclusive member event
- Annual Member sticker
- Receive our Annual Member Survey
- Recognition in Friends’ Report to the Community
Guardian
$100 / year
- Pre-sale/priority registration to events
- Postcard invitation to an annual exclusive member event
- Partners (currently on hold)
Plus All Protector Benefits
Champion
$500 / year
- Mailed Annual Gathering invitation
- Free Champion tote bag with unique design
- Invitation to seasonal partner sales
- Ticket discounts to select events
- Invitations to exclusive litigation updates with our legal team
- Invitation to the Boundary Waters Brunch
Plus All Protector & Guardian Benefits
Sigurd Olson Circle
$1000 / year
- Free entry to the Boundary Waters Brunch
- Invitation to exclusive Sigurd Olson Circle event before our Annual Gathering
- 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 joins our sustainer member level..
- Free Sustaining Member tote bag and sticker
- 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.
2023 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
- Vertical Endeavors TCB, St. Paul, MN
- Half price day pass (Twin Cities Bouldering location only)
- 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)
- Gear West, Long Lake, MN
- One clothing item at 20% off in bike, run, xc, alpine (not including sale items)
- 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
- Rite In The Rain
- 15% off all products (contact us for promo code)
- Bauhaus Brew Labs, Minneapolis, MN
- $1.00 off any beverage
- Alexander Health & Wellness Chiropractic, Roseville, MN
- Complimentary chiropractic exam (excluding Medicare patients)
- Wheel Fun Rentals, Twin Cities, MN
- 75% off canoe rentals (hour, half, and full day)
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 do not currently send out physical membership cards – your member number and renewal information will be sent to you following your gift.
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.