Sneak Peek: 2026 Membership Performance Benchmark Report

Every year, our Membership Performance Benchmark Report uncovers the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping associations, unions, and non-profits. Set to release later this month, this report paints a promising picture of the future. It also gives top strategies for:

• Recruiting and retaining members
• Growing your revenue
• Optimizing your tech stack
• Meeting and exceeding your goals
• Achieving growth in 2026

Want to be notified as soon as we release the report? Subscribe to iMIS emails now to make sure you don’t miss this valuable resource.

In this sneak peek, we’re sharing three key takeaways from the report. Ready to explore what’s driving success for your peers and how you can stay ahead? Let’s dive in.

Sneak Peek into the 2025 Membership Performance Benchmark Report

📊 Top Revenue Sources for Membership Organizations

Membership organizations can no longer solely depend on membership fees for financial sustainability. Creating new sources of revenue has become increasingly important.

New this year, our survey asked participants to list their top three sources of revenue, outside of membership fees.

Leading the way, half of respondents reported that sponsorships and advertising together is one of their top sources of revenue. This strategy is vital to Jon Lindberg, the Executive Director at the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM). Despite going through a membership boom of 2,800 members to 105,000 members in just five years, ACRM continues to diversify their revenue sources.

But this isn't the only way that membership organizations are growing their revenue. The full 2026 Membership Performance Benchmark Report gives you the full list of revenue sources your peers are leveraging. Two in particular were very close behind sponsorships and advertising. Subscribe to iMIS emails so you don’t miss your chance to discover the top ways to enhance your organization's finances.

☀️ Things Are Looking Up in 2026

The outlook for membership organizations in 2026 is bright, with several key indicators pointing to positive trends.

For starters, 81% of organizations maintained or increased member engagement. Associations, unions, and nonprofits continue to focus on engagement, as it's a top organizational goal again this year.

Retention rates also remain strong. More than three out of four organizations saw their retention rates either hold steady or increase, with 45% reporting an increase. Only 15% experienced a dip, reflecting overall stability and a focus on retaining members.

Beyond these highlights, the full 2026 Membership Performance Benchmark Report delves into even more compelling trends, membership growth levels, renewal rates for first-year members, and insights into member satisfaction. Want to know where your organization stands or how to leverage these insights for success? Be sure to grab the full report when it releases later this month. Subscribe to iMIS emails so you don't miss the report going live.

📈 The Benefits of Performance Metrics

New this year, we asked membership professionals whether they have metrics in place to track and improve organizational performance.

We found that the organizations with fully defined and regularly reviewed metrics are significantly more likely to increase retention and see higher member satisfaction.

The most successful organizations have clear metrics in place to track and improve their performance. 

Deciding on performance metrics is important, but how easy is it for you to measure your progress? This year, we asked participants whether they have access to the data they need to monitor performance. Only 43% said it's easy to access and understand the data. Another 39% said they mostly have the data, but it takes effort to pull or analyze.

Curious how you compare to your peers? Be sure to check out the full report, releasing later this month. Subscribe to iMIS emails so you can download the report as soon as it's available.

❓ What Else Is in the 2026 Membership Performance Benchmark Report?

This sneak peek only scratches the surface of the insights packed into the full 2026 Membership Performance Benchmark Report. Inside, you’ll find a deeper dive into the trends shaping membership organizations, including:

Membership growth rates and member engagement levels

The strategy that 70% use to win back lapsed members

The most common reasons members don’t renew

This year's top new-member recruiting strategies

The tech that 71% have or plan to invest in this year

Top goals & challenges membership organizations are prioritizing for 2026

With so much valuable information, this year’s report is a must-read for associations, unions, and non-profits looking to stay ahead of the curve.

3-Minute Quick Tour

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