Membership FAQ
How can I become a Member of the NMAI?
You can join online today, or by phone at 800-242-NMAI (6624). See Membership & Giving for information on membership levels and benefits.
I want to join, but I wish to pay by check. What do I do?
You may print out the registration form and mail it in along with your personal check made out to Smithsonian/NMAI. Email nmaimember@si.edu to request a membership brochure.
When will my Member card arrive?
To limit overhead costs, our acknowledgment Member cards and thank-you letters are printed only every two weeks. The period of time between when your membership gift is received by NMAI and when you can expect to receive your membership materials in the mail can be anywhere from three to five weeks.
I received my Member card, but misplaced it. How can I get a replacement?
To request a replacement Member card, please call toll-free 800-242-NMAI (6624) or email nmaimember@si.edu. If you are visiting the NMAI on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., you may also stop by the Welcome Desk located just inside the main entrance.
When will my Member card arrive?
To limit overhead costs, our acknowledgment Member cards and thank-you letters are printed only every two weeks. The period of time between when your membership gift is received by NMAI and when you can expect to receive your membership materials in the mail can be anywhere from three to five weeks.
I want to renew my NMAI membership. How can I do this today?
You may renew your existing membership online, or by mailing a check with the renewal notice you received in the mail to the address at the top of this page.
I already renewed my membership—why did I receive another renewal notice?
It probably crossed in the mail with your renewal gift. The NMAI’s renewal notices are sent, like those of many other nonprofit organizations, on an advance mail schedule using the nonprofit bulk-mail rate. This rate is very economical for nonprofit organizations trying to direct every available cent back into their mission, but it does take longer than First Class mail. If you have received your Member card, this verifies your renewal payment was received and processed. Please disregard any further renewal notices that you may receive. To confirm your membership account status, please email nmaimember@si.edu or call 800-242-NMAI (6624).
Why do you send so many renewal notices?
Because we do have Members who don’t realize their membership is expiring until the sixth renewal notice, it is possible for a Member to receive all six notices. We realize our notices may occasionally get lost in the mail, become mutilated by a postal sorting machine, or erroneously discarded by another family member, etc. If you respond to the first renewal notice promptly upon receipt, this will prevent any follow-up notices from being mailed.
Why do you send a renewal notice months before my membership expires?
There are two main reasons for this. First, it’s important for us to be able to count on each Member’s support each and every year. Support from Members helps the NMAI fulfill its mission, and if we know you’ve renewed we know you’re on board to help us. Second, if you renew when the first renewal notice is received, you can be sure that your subscription to our quarterly magazine, American Indian, will continue without interruption. Please note that your membership will be advanced one year from its current expiration month and year so you do not "lose" any months by renewing early.
I accidentally renewed twice—what will happen?
Your membership will simply be renewed for an additional year. Our membership database is programmed to renew a membership each time a renewal notice is received from the Member, and automatically send an acknowledgment letter with an updated Member card. This means that if you renewed twice, you will receive two separate Member cards: one with an expiration date one year from your current expiration date and then a second one with an expiration date two years from your current expiration date.
Why do I keep receiving renewal notices? I thought I renewed a few months ago?
Only a response to a renewal notice will automatically renew your membership for another year. It might be that you responded to a request from the NMAI for an additional gift contribution. Occasionally we ask our Members for special gifts above and beyond their annual membership dues to help us with our mission. These special gifts don’t count as a membership renewal gift, but as an extra gift donation. If you have questions about your last donation, please call 202-633-6984.
I let my membership expire but just mailed my renewal dues—what will happen?
When your renewal dues are received and processed, your membership will be renewed for another 12-month period. Your expiration month will change to reflect the month that your renewal gift was received.
Will my expiration month ever change?
Not if you renew each year before or during your expire month. As long as you don’t let your membership expire, your membership expiration month stays the same and your membership is always renewed for another 12-month period. However, if you renew after your membership expires, the expiration month will change to reflect the month in which your renewal gift was processed.
When do you mail out your publication, American Indian?
American Indian is a quarterly publication. Each issue is mailed to Members about the second week in February (Spring issue), May (Summer issue), August (Fall issue), and November (Winter issue). By promptly renewing your membership when you receive your first renewal notice, you will ensure your subscription continues uninterrupted.
I want to be a Member but I don’t want the magazine. Can you send it to my friend?
Unfortunately, we are only able to list one address per Member record; therefore, we cannot send your magazine to another person. If you feel your friend would enjoy being a Member and receiving the magazine, please consider giving them a gift membership. If you’d rather not receive the magazine as part of your own membership, at your request we can put a code on your Member record so that you do not receive the magazine.
I receive so much mail from you—how can I tell what is what?
All membership renewal notices clearly state that they are renewal notices. The one-page letter in renewal notice mailings will only pertain to renewing your membership. Occasionally, we mail out letters to our Members requesting an additional gift contribution (above and beyond one’s annual membership dues) to help us carry out our work. These mailings, called “house appeals” or “second gift requests,” are always accompanied by a multi-page letter specifically stating why we are asking for an additional gift contribution. Please be aware that a response to this type of mailing will not renew a membership. Only a response to a renewal notice will automatically renew a membership.
What is the difference between NMAI “Charter Member” Members and NMAI Members?
“Charter Member” is a designation that means an organization’s building has not been built yet or that the organization is not fully open. In the case of the NMAI, the term "Charter Member" applies only to those who joined before or during our inaugural year of operation in Washington, D.C. Those who joined in January 2006 or thereafter are not considered NMAI Charter Members, but are known as NMAI Members. Charter Members have our heartfelt gratitude for their longtime support, which allowed us to complete and open all three of our facilities—the George Gustav Heye Center in New York, the Cultural Resources Center in Maryland, and the museum on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
I'm a Charter Member. Will I always be considered a Charter Member?
Yes! Once a Charter Member, always a Charter Member. As long as you joined before January 1, 2006, you will always be designated as a Charter Member.
How can I locate my NMAI Member number?
You can find your Member number in several ways:
- Look on your Member card. It is a nine-digit number that looks similar to this: 000123456.
- Look at the mailing label on the mailing bag of your copy of American Indian magazine—it appears in the line directly above your name.
- If you have a current issue of our semiannual newsletter, Insight, your Member number appears in the line directly above your name.
- If you have received a renewal notice, it is printed on the renewal notice reply form. Look for “Member #” or “Mem#” on the reply form.
- You may email nmaimember@si.edu or call 800-242-NMAI (6624) to request your Member number. When sending an email, please be sure to include your full name and complete mailing address.
How do I change my mailing address?
Contact Member Services at 800-242-NMAI (6624) or nmaimember@si.edu.
How can I correct the name on my Member record?
To make corrections to your name, call 800-242-NMAI (6624) or email nmaimember@si.edu. Please be advised that a membership is not transferable to another person.
Do you exchange Member names and addresses with other organizations?
We do occasionally exchange the names and addresses of our donors with other reputable organizations. By allowing us to exchange your name and address, you will be helping to encourage the support of new donors in a cost-effective manner. If you do not wish your name and address to be exchanged, please notify Member Services at 800-242-NMAI (6624) or by email nmaimember@si.edu. You only need notify us once of your preference that we not exchange your information—this preference is kept on file indefinitely.
What is your mailing address?
National Museum of the American Indian
Member Services
PO Box 23473
Washington, DC 20026-3473
What is your fax number?
Member Services: 202-633-6920
What is your email address?
Member Services: nmaimember@si.edu.
What is your website address?
The NMAI’s website is www.americanindian.si.edu.
The Smithsonian’s website is www.si.edu.
The Smithsonian Store website is www.smithsonianstore.com.
I have a question about Native culture—whom should I contact?
You may contact the museum’s Native Information Network at nmai-info@si.edu. Please be as specific as possible when submitting your question. For example, an inquiry like “Please send me information about Native pottery” is too broad a topic to research. A better question would be “Please send me information on well-known, living Acoma potters.”