Hello, AAUW Leaders! 

Welcome to our new branch and state officers joining us, and a thank you to those continuing in their leadership roles! Your commitment to advancing AAUW’s mission in your communities is what makes our work possible.  

In this issue, you’ll find timely updates and tools designed to support you as you close out this fiscal year and look ahead to the next. Whether you’re planning a bit of travel or simply taking a breather before fall activities ramp up, we hope you’ll take a moment to review these resources and keep them in mind as your branch returns to work later this summer.  

Above all, I want to encourage every branch to complete the Annual Branch Survey before the June 30 deadline. Check in with a fellow member leader to see if your branch has fulfilled this FY25 requirement. Your participation helps AAUW better understand and support your work — and ensures your branch is recognized in this year’s Five-Star program.  

Thank you again for your leadership. We’re here to support you every step of the way.  

Warm Regards, 

Katrina Sun Breese

Senior Director of Institutional Advancement 

AAUW Unveils 2025 Strategic Plan: Empowering Equity Through Education

AAUW recently announced the launch of its 2025 Strategic Plan, a bold blueprint reaffirming our commitment to advancing equity for women and girls through higher education and inclusive policy advocacy. 

Key Priorities Include: 

Expanding Access to Higher Education: Providing direct funding for women in underserved communities and underrepresented fields, such as STEM, to promote economic security and upward mobility. 

Advocating for Inclusive Policies: Championing legislation that supports women's success in higher education and the workplace, including pay equity, paid family and medical leave, and robust workplace harassment protections. 

Strengthening AAUW’s Reach: Supporting local, state, and branch efforts and maximizing AAUW’s financial and operational strength to build a movement of champions for gender equity. 

We encourage all branch and state leaders to familiarize themselves with the strategic plan and consider how your local initiatives align with these national priorities. Resources, including a downloadable one-pager and implementation toolkit, are available on our new 2025 AAUW Strategic Plan page to assist in integrating these goals into your branch activities.

Strategic Plan Resources
Learn how members, branches, and states can align with our future vision.

Resources/tools: https://www.aauw.org/resources/member/leader-resources-tools/ 

NEW! Public Policy Priorities | Trifold

NEW! Branch Survey Check List | Resource

5 Calls to Action page: www.aauw.org/5acts 

Strategic Plan: Leadership Briefing | Recording 
Strategic Plan Launch | Recording  

Find other past webinars on the AAUW YouTube page. 

FY26 Membership Dues Collection Process Year is Open 

AAUW  National Dues: $74 (National), $18.81 (Students), $1,480 (Lifetime). Fully tax-deductible.   

Disbursements: Funds from members who pay online are deposited at the end of the following month via ACH to state/branch bank accounts. Check your email for the disbursement report at the end of the month. Send bank updates to [email protected].    

Renewal Notice Reminders: Branches that have not opted out of having National send renewal reminders will have emails sent to their members the week of the 20th of each month in conjunction with the schedule below which is subject to change during holidays, etc. Finance officers receive confirmations as members pay online. 

AAUW Renewal Reminders Schedule

Recruitment Discounts and Waivers - Coupon Codes

The Shape the Future Campaign discount of 50% off national dues for new members (those entirely new to AAUW or rejoining after two or more years) remains. The coupon code is STFFY26.  The report on free membership and redemption form is available now and we’ve extended the time to claim free membership to October 31st! The coupon codes for AAUW College/University member students are CUStudentFY26 for Student Associates (undergraduates); CUGradStudentFY26 for Graduate Students. 

Dues and Donations to AAUW 

AAUW branches should submit membership dues online through the Community Hub.  Any branch unable to process dues online, should contact [email protected] for help.  Please do not mail in checks for membership dues.   

Branch Donations: Email [email protected] to request an Express Payment Link.  Please include the amount and fund name when making requests. 

Contribution Report Form: Please make a copy of the completed form and checks before sending.  AAUW member IDs must be included in the form.  Donations to Greatest Needs can be made online by leaders using the Renewals and Donations application. 

Mail-in Contributions: Mail to P.O. Box 98045, Washington DC 20090-8045. Tracking numbers are needed to search for uncashed checks.  

Five-Star Program Updates: FY26 Criteria and New Giving Options

We are pleased to announce that the FY26 Five Star Program criteria are now available on our Five-Star Program page. These updated criteria are designed to provide a framework to help branches align more closely with AAUW’s evolving strategic priorities and continue building sustainable, mission-driven work at the local level.

We have also expanded the FY25 Advancement criterion to include branch contributions to the Public Policy Fund and the Defend Higher Education Fund. These new options allow branches additional flexibility to support AAUW’s mission in meaningful ways. 

Complete the FY25 Annual Branch Survey by June 30!

To the over 220 branches that have responded to the Annual Branch Survey, we want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your time and commitment! If your branch hasn’t yet completed the FY25 Annual Branch Survey, now is the time. The survey closes on June 30, and we’re counting on every branch to submit the survey before the deadline.  

Why does this matter? The Annual Branch Survey is how AAUW tracks the incredible work your branch does each year—from programming and communications to policy and governance efforts.  

Your responses inform national support priorities and ensure your branch gets proper credit in the Five-Star Program. This year’s survey has been streamlined and organized around the Five-Star criteria to make it faster and easier to complete. You only need to submit one survey per branch.  

We need your help to ensure 100% participation across the country.  

Visit the Five-Star Program page to access:  

• The full list of survey questions  
• A helpful checklist to guide your responses  
• The direct link to the survey  

 Still have questions? We’re here to help. Contact us or join one of our Office Hours sessions (held every Tuesday and Thursday) if you need personal assistance.  

Let’s finish strong and don’t let your branch’s work go unrecognized! 

State and Branch Officers due by June 30 – Don't Lose Your Hub Access Rights

Affiliate president/administrator, membership VP, and finance officers can update officers in the hub. Even if an officer is returning, please update their term end dates. The deadline is June 30. CAUTION: Please DO NOT remove officers whose terms are ending.  Use REMOVE only if a new entry is made in error. 

How to update:   

1. Log in to Community Hub   
2. Go to MY AFFILIATIONS    
3. Click the button next to your affiliate name   
4. Choose Manage Roster   
5. Select COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT 
6. Follow the on-screen instructions   

Heads-up: If an officer’s term ends early, email [email protected]

Community Hub Spotlight – Address Updates

There are two address types in the Community Hub, mailing and billing, which can be updated by an individual on their My Contact Information page.  Leaders can only update a member’s mailing address from the Company Roster page by selecting Edit Individual next to the member’s name or from the Membership Management page when using Join Individuals.  The billing address would need to be updated by the member or national prior to joining/renewing to be displayed on the Order Confirmation. 

AAUW State and Branch Affiliate Benefits

AAUW National provides services at no cost to its affiliates.  You need only make your request! 

1. Federal Tax Filing of Form 990-N  

All AAUW-affiliated entities must file an annual IRS return. If your gross receipts are $50K or less, AAUW can file the 990-N for the tax year ending 6/30/2025.  Finance officers should submit the group exemption request form located in the community hub between April 16 – October 15.  Watch our five-minute step-by-step 990N Request Video.  

Important Note: If you do not qualify to file the 990-N, explore other options at irs.gov.   

2. Speakers for AAUW Affiliate Events  

Planning an event? Don’t wait — Elevate it with a guest speaker from AAUW National when you make your request today using the Speaker Request Form!   

Here’s what you get:   

• AAUW experts, staff, or volunteer leaders   
• Insights on national initiatives, policy priorities & more   
• Content tailored to your audience   

3. Live Customer Support at Your Service 

Call 800.326.2289, 8:30-5pm, ET, weekdays or join us for Office Hours on Tuesdays (3pm ET) and/or Thursdays (3:30 ET) via Zoom with your inquiries and support needs. And you can reach us at [email protected]! Please do not email [email protected] or [email protected]; they are unmonitored.   

Last Call: AAUW Convention Giveaway Requests Due by August 8
Are you organizing a state or regional AAUW convention or annual meeting taking place now through August 31, 2025? Don’t miss your chance to request AAUW-branded giveaway items for your in-person attendees and VIPs! Items are provided free of charge; branches are only asked to reimburse AAUW National for shipping costs. Details are included in the request form.

Find Your Fellow

To get more information about fellows and grantees in your area and/or supported by your branch, please reach out to [email protected].