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2018 Membership Rates
(view membership brochure here)
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why is membership required to participate in USAU supported programs?
As a member-based not-for-profit body, every program and activity that USAU operates or supports is on behalf of and in service to our members. Membership dues typically comprise over half (about 60%) of USAU's annual operating budget, providing the base of resources that are vitally needed to employ staff and maintain facilities for launching and managing programs around the nation. In a very real way, everything that USA Ultimate does is thanks to and designed for our members. That commitment to members and participant requirement for membership is the main reason that such a large (potentially confusing) variety of levels of membership are available, because there are many different ways that someone might be interested in supporting and engaging directly with USAU programs, either as players, coaches, organizers, observers, friends & family or other member supporters. USAU's commitment is to serve members at the highest possible levels, in a way that increases member satisfaction and retains members to renew year after year, while also engaging brand new members. Membership has the absolute highest value towards accomplishing our mission and ourvision.
Can I upgrade my membership? How?
Yes, you can upgrade an annual membership (i.e., not a single Recreational Event-only level) from one type or duration to a higher one, as long as you upgrade for the full remainder of your membership period (i.e., all remaining years of multi-year memberships). You'll also need to maintain the same participation benefits with both memberships or increase them (e.g., player-level and/or coach-level; you can upgrade an Adult player membership to Coach/Player combo membership but not to just Coach level membership).
How to upgrade single-year memberships or a multi-year membership during the first year:
1. Log into your account and click the green "Upgrade Membership" button under your current membership status.
How to upgrade multi-year memberships in subsequent years (after the first year):
1. Email your request to membership@usaultimate.org.
2. You will receive an invoice via email for the difference in cost of the memberships.
3. Once you complete the payment, notify membership@usaultimate.org. Once we receive notification, we will upgrade your membership.
Please allow a few days for the process to complete (request, invoice, payment, and processing the upgrade).
Are memberships refundable or transferable?
No, unfortunately USA Ultimate memberships are not refundable nor transferable, largely because they are not a guarantee of specific participation eligibility or event timing. Memberships do not tie directly to a specific event or program that USAU operates or sanctions.
The nature of membership, both generally and specifically with USA Ultimate, is one of a voluntary relationship that makes the member become part of the national community of ultimate players, coaches, organizers, parents, friends, family and supporters. Because USAU operates for the benefit of and in service to its members, all members' dues help to cover the operating costs of the organization and the many efforts made to advance the sport at all levels across the nation.
Are memberships tax deductible?
No, unfortunately not. Even though USA Ultimate is a federally registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit membership-based organization, whenever a member of such a non-profit receives any benefits in return for membership dues, the general IRS rule is that those dues are not deductible on personal income tax return filings.
It can be a bit confusing, because sometimes when someone becomes a "member" of a zoo or a museum, which are also often incorporated non-profits, they can deduct some portion of their membership from taxes. That only happens when the zoo or museum has established a "value" of the membership that is less than the amount paid by the member, with the overage amount being considered essentially a "donation" to the cause of the zoo or museum. So then the difference between the amount paid in dues and the "value" becomes tax deductible. In USA Ultimate’s case, the values of benefits that have been budgeted actually correspond to the dues amounts of our memberships, so we cannot declare any portion to be a tax deductible "donation" to the organization. That said, any pure donations given to USAU or to The Ultimate Foundation, in addition to or instead of memership dues, are 100% tax deductible!
What should I do if I can't access my account?
If you can't access your account because you can't figure out the username or password, simply request a password or username reset link to be sent to the e-mail on the account.
If you no longer have access to the e-mail assigned to your account, just contact USA Ultimate at <membership@usaultimate.org> with your name and date of birth so we can reset and get you going ASAP!
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Notes:
- USA Ultimate memberships are non-refundable and non-transferable. Membership is a voluntary relationship as part of the national community of ultimate players, coaches, organizers, parents, friends, family and supporters. It is not tied to any specific event or program that USAU operates or sanctions, nor is membership a guarantee of participation (please be familiar with all guidelines and restrictions, criteria, dates, locations, etc associated with any event or program before assuming eligibility to participate). USAU operates for the benefit of and in service to its members, and thus, nearly all of its activities, events, and programs are restricted to its members, whose dues cover the operating costs of the organization.
- USA Ultimate memberships are based on the calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Any memberships purchased through November 30 will expire on December 31 of the current year (or the appropriate corresponding year for multi-year memberships). Memberships for the following year will become available on/around December 1.
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Single Event memberships and Affiliate memberships do not cover participation in USAU championships nor in college/club "regular season" events, as the USAU staff resources for those involve the overhead of all staff and departments, most notably the competition dept, rather than only the Member Services & Community Development dept.
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Non-player level memberships include Coach, Friends & Family, and Youth-Serving Organization; playing in USAU championship, sanctioned or insured events at any level is not included in the benefits of those levels.
Read more about membership level eligibility and benefits HERE before purchasing your membership.
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