Extracted from the Winter/Spring ’26 Newsletter
WRITTEN BY CALEIGH REDDING, COMMUNICATIONS AND MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
The Lake Lanier Association has been working hard to improve your membership experience, and that means improving our system and records. This past year, we have been transitioning to a new membership platform, called Charity Engine!
Charity Engine is an all-in-one customer relationship management system, specifically crafted for non-profits like us! They offer a robust fundraising platform, with event management, web forms, reporting, and more. As a non-profit, it is important to us to have the highest trust in our records, and be able to track gifts and memberships with ease. We are excited to announce that as of March 1st, we are fully integrated into the Charity Engine system. This CRM is also trusted by fellow non-profits of all sizes like the Wounded Warrior Project, medical centers, and environmental non-profits.
As a member, you may not see a large change, but as an internal team, we are excited about all of the unique ways that we can better serve our beloved Lake Lanier. Thanks to you, we have nearly doubled our number of programs in the last two decades, and you all were able to witness the impact we had in 2025, with a record breaking Shore Sweep, an impactful SMP survey, a shocking impact to the nation, and much more.
I joined the team one year ago, and I would be happy to continue bragging about how great the experience has been, but my team and I will just have to wait until the Annual Report comes out to show you ourselves. As we move into our 60th year, and I move into my 2nd year as the Communications and Membership Coordinator, I would like to address some commonly asked questions that I see.
Continue reading as I share more about LLA membership, and let me know if I have missed anything that you have been curious about! I’m always an email or phone call away, so feel free to reach out any time!
How do I know when my membership is up for renewal?
Members have the opportunity to contribute on an annual autorenewal basis, so you never have to wonder if or when your membership is up for renewal. As always, you will receive notices over email 2 weeks prior to your renewal. For these members, no further action is required! However, for those who prefer to renew their membership manually, on a one-time basis or via check, you will still receive that two week heads up, and from there you can renew your membership your way!
How can I renew my membership?
Memberships can be renewed in multitude of ways! The primary way being through our website, by visiting lakelanier.org and clicking the green “join or renew” button. Alternatively, members can renew their membership through Benevity and Fidelity giving! Of course, with all of this new technology, we still remain traditional, offering renewals through check. If you prefer to renew your LLA membership by check, please send your check to the LLA Office at: 821 Dawsonville HWY, Suite 110 Gainesville, GA 30501. Please allow two weeks for processing time after your check has been received.
Your renewal is a great time to let us know if your records need to be updated! If we have your updated email, phone, and address, we are able to always share the latest Lake Lanier updates with you.
Do LLA members still receive a Tow Boat discount?
As part of the BoatUS Cooperating Group program, members of the Lake Lanier Association receive 10% off water towing service by using this cooperating organization code. (Current members, please contact an LLA team member to receive the code or find it in your payment receipt.)
Are LLA memberships for one person or a household?
Your annual contribution can be linked to both you and your spouse, as LLA memberships are considered “Household.” This means, both you and your spouse are able to enjoy membership perks, such as giveaways, discounts, and event attendance. However, some spouses choose to maximize their giving by contributing separately. No worries, we can still connect your records in our new system!
Are LLA membership payments tax-deductible?
Yes! All donations to the Lake Lanier Association are tax deductible under IRS 501(c)3 tax code to the extent of the law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for a contribution to the LLA. The Lake Lanier Association’s EIN is 58-1264797. Your contributions go directly towards protecting and preserving the lake you love.
What makes me an LLA member, and where do my dollars go?
LLA members make an annual membership donation to support a Clean, Full, and Safe Lake Lanier. There are four levels, as you can see in the chart below, that each support our programs in a unique way. Any contribution made within the year that exceeds these levels, are considered an above and beyond donation when we record the payment. Which means, if you send a $200 check, $100 will go towards your membership payment and $100 will be recorded as a donation. This also means that if your only contribution for the year is a $75 payment, it will be marked as a donation, and you will not be considered an active member. Whether you give $5 or $5,000 dollars, all of these contributions make an impact on our lake. Don’t worry, all four membership levels are considered donations, as we are a non-profit organization! The only thing the “membership” changes, is the fun perks of supporting our mission, such as attendance to the Annual Member Celebration, receiving newsletters like this one, giveaways, Lunch & Learns, etc.
Donating to the LLA goes well beyond knowing you are part of a group of concerned constituents who partner together to protect and preserve the lake. Your generosity directly supports LLA’s programs in measurable ways. Consider how the impact of your contribution completes the tasks supported by each donation level to the right and you can clearly visualize the tangible impact of your support.
S
kipper Level – $100 Enables removal of 1 black float from the lake, OR Funds purchase of 8 life jackets for lakeside loaner stations, OR Provides volunteers with items necessary for cleanup projects – such as trash bags or gloves
Commander Level – $250 Funds installation of 1 linear foot of riprap erosion protection, OR Enables removal of up to 1.5 tons of trash, OR Funds the replacement of 1 solar light Captain
Level – $500 Provides 1 commercial dumpster for use at Shore Sweep, OR Funds installation of 3 linear feet of riprap erosion protection, OR Provides water quality testing supplies for 1 full year, OR Provides for distribution of 40 life jackets at on-lake events
Admiral Level – $1000 Provides heavy equipment machinery rental for 1 Shore Sweep location, OR Enables removal of 10 black floats from the lake, OR Provides funding for various on-lake initiatives, including erosion and sedimentation control, and ADDV (Abandoned and Derelict Docks and Vessels) activities, OR Provides 800+ volunteers with items necessary for Shore Sweep – such as trash bags or gloves
Email: caleigh@lakelanier.org
Phone Number: (770) 744-4547 Ext. 2
Do you feel led to up your 2026 contribution? Give us a call or send us an email to change your membership level, or donate today by clicking here!
