WAA Subsidizes Members’ Dues by $28K Under Pay-What-You-Can Program

In December 2020, WAA implemented a temporary dues policy to help to help support the community through the devastating financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

As an organization sustained by income from membership dues also facing uncertainty, we asked those in a position to pay their dues in full consider doing so—but our objective was to ensure that no one lost the opportunity to be part of the WAA community as a result of financial barriers.  

With that in mind, we committed to offering dues waivers for members for whom paying anything would be a hardship, as well as a Pay What You Can membership option, enabling members to renew at whatever amount was feasible and appropriate to their individual situation.  

A total of thirteen dues waivers were requested and granted. A total of sixty-six Pay What You Can renewals were received, ranging between $12 and $350, with an overall average amount of $136.

“Thanks to the Jerry Willis Fund and, indirectly, emergency support from the NEA, WESTAF, PPP Loans, and member donations, Western Arts Alliance was able to extend dues relief when members needed it most,” said WAA’s Executive Director, Tim Wilson. He added, “Despite the cost, the board was committed to helping members any way we could.”

WAA Executive Director, Tim Wilson

To put that in context, WAA’s standard dues—which are based on income tiers—range between $275 and $775. The majority of members opted to renew at $50 or $100. Unsurprisingly, we received the most requests from Artist/Manager members in the Tier 1 category (i.e. less than $100,000 gross fees contracted per year.)  

The total saving to members through the temporary dues policy was $28,376.