There are many ways to be a Member of FoE!
Active Friend Membership: Support the whole network from $10 a month, helping us to keep the lights on, the internet working and provide vital support to the Friends of the Earth community.
Food Co-op and Cafe Active Friend Membership: Support the Food Co-op and Cafe from $10 a month, helping us reduce waste, support Victorian farmers and nourish our local community.
Campaign Active Friend Membership: Support A campaign collective from $10 a month, funds go direct to supporting the aims and objectives of your chosen campaign collective, helping cover event costs, campaign resources, and staffing. Go direct to the campaign collective you'd like to support here.
Annual Concession Membership: Membership for low-income or unwaged people is $30 a year.
Free Membership: We may waive the membership cost for a period of one year when requested by an applicant. Contact us for more information.
Lifetime Membership: Nominate someone for a lifetime membership - this person should have made a significant contribution to Friends of the Earth network or the wider activist community. For more information, contact us.
How your Membership contributions will be used
Having a strong network of financial members means we are self sustaining, independent, and never accept money from political parties, big banks, or extractive industries. Member contributions provide vital campaign resources for FoE Melbourne campaign collectives and sustain the ‘FoE commons’ of shared resources which include meeting spaces and campaign offices in our home at 312 Smith Street, as well as software, databasing, and campaign tools and resourcing.
Funds raised from member contributions are also used to employ a small team of operational staff who provide the network with administrative, financial and fundraising support. ‘Active Friend’ member contributions can also directly support a specific campaign collective, at any member's request.
FAQ's about Membership
What is included in my Friends of the Earth Membership?
All Friends of the Earth Members receive:
- A discount at the Friends of the Earth Food Co-op and Cafe
- A subscription to our Chain Reaction magazine and printed newsletter.
- Special prices to FoE ticketed events.
- Access to community meeting rooms and multimedia spaces.
How do I make changes to my Membership?
If you need to make any changes to your Membership, donations amounts, or update your personal details, please contact us.
Are my contributions tax deductible?
By selecting monthly donations you will be signed up as an Active Friend member. A small membership processing fee of $30 per annum is taken which is not tax deductible. We will send out a summary of your tax deductible monthly donations annually in July.
I am volunteering at Friends of the Earth, should I sign up as a Member?
Yes, you should definitely consider it! Our membership structure is built into the Friends of the Earth Melbourne constitution and organising structure. It is a model that has kept us building transformative social movements for over 45 years! Being a Member of Friends of the Earth enables you to engage deeply with collective decision making processes, join collectives, working groups, and nominate for office bearing positions in the Friends of the Earth Australia Federation (such as National and International Liaison Officers).
We are funded by the movement, for the movement. So when you become a Member, you will support the activists working alongside you. We have done our best to make Membership as accessible as possible and open to all, but please contact us if none of the above options are suitable for you.
Can I opt out of paper mail and receive my Chain Reaction Magazine & Printed Newsletter digitally?
Absolutely, you can contact us to opt out of paper mail. Although we print only on 100% post-consumer recycled paper and use sustainable ink choices, we respect your right to limit the amount of printed materials you receive. And, if you happen to be in the Food Co-op and Cafe, you can pick one up for free!
I don't like to use my credit card, can I sign up as a Member via direct debit?
Yes, you can sign up as an Active Friend Member via direct debit using this form. you details will be sent confidentially to our finance team. Friends of the Earth process direct debits at the beginning of the month. If you want to cancel your direct debit monthly donation, you can contact us at [email protected] and we will cancel it immediately.
