Wisconsin Alumni Association Membership FAQ
Q: What are the benefits of joining the Wisconsin Alumni Association?
A: Membership dues support many of WAA's services for all alumni. Your dues are a show of support for UW-Madison, UW student scholarships, career services and the many other alumni programs we offer. As a thank-you, WAA provides you with an array of tangible benefits.
Q: I didn't graduate from the UW. Can I still join the alumni association?
A: Yes! WAA welcomes all friends and fans of the university to join the alumni family.
Q: Does it cost more for my spouse to be a member?
A: For annual memberships, the answer is no. WAA extends benefits to all members of your household. In the case of life memberships, there is an additional cost of $100 for a partner or spouse to join. Please note that we are only able to extend the family membership to a partner or spouse, not siblings, children, parents, etc. Review membership rates.
Q: Are my membership dues tax deductible?
A: WAA considers your dues and any additional gifts to be charitable contributions. In many cases, these are tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser for confirmation.
Q: Is membership in WAA the same as my membership at the Wisconsin Union?
A: No. WAA and the Wisconsin Union are separate organizations with distinct membership structures. Both organizations serve the university, and both offer a variety of member benefits. For Union membership information, visit their Web site.
Q: Does my donation to the UW Foundation make me a WAA member?
A: No. While both organizations exist to support UW-Madison, they are independent from each other.
The UW Foundation, created in 1945, is the official fund-raising and gift-receiving agency for UW-Madison and other donor-designated units of the UW System. An elected board of directors oversees the Foundation's assets and activities, such as raising money for the UW by seeking contributions from alumni and friends.
WAA was established in 1861 to connect UW-Madison alumni to the university and each other. WAA is an independently financed, nonprofit alumni organization funded by dues-paying members from all around the world.
The UW Foundation, created in 1945, is the official fund-raising and gift-receiving agency for UW-Madison and other donor-designated units of the UW System. An elected board of directors oversees the Foundation's assets and activities, such as raising money for the UW by seeking contributions from alumni and friends.
WAA was established in 1861 to connect UW-Madison alumni to the university and each other. WAA is an independently financed, nonprofit alumni organization funded by dues-paying members from all around the world.
Q: Can UW-Madison students be members of WAA?
A: Students are welcome to join WAA, but we have designed our student services to be available to all students, regardless of membership. We offer scholarship opportunities, career networking programs, student leadership organizations and more. Read all about them on our student Web site.
Q: Do I need to be a member to receive On Wisconsin Magazine?
A: Not necessarily. If you are a UW-Madison graduate and live in the United States, you will automatically receive On Wisconsin Magazine. Please be sure to update your address via our online alumni directory.
If you live outside the United States, you need to be a WAA member to receive the magazine, whether or not you're a graduate. If you are not a UW-Madison graduate and live in the United States, you need to be a WAA member to receive the magazine.
If you live outside the United States, you need to be a WAA member to receive the magazine, whether or not you're a graduate. If you are not a UW-Madison graduate and live in the United States, you need to be a WAA member to receive the magazine.
Q: Does WAA membership automatically make me a member of my local alumni chapter?
A: This varies from city to city. In most cases, local alumni chapters do not charge dues. If you live in the Washington, D.C., or Twin Cities area, the alumni chapter and WAA offer a joint membership. In any case, membership in WAA will help ensure that you hear about alumni events in your area. Please refer to our alumni chapter page for information on events in your local area.
