The simple answer is, members who are committed to the mission and willing to invest are our biggest asset as an organization. Funds are used to develop beekeeper education, invite monthly speakers, and subsidize the financial expense for our media presence (this includes post-production of our recorded speakers, YouTube, and Facebook groups, website maintenance, server expenses, mailing software, etc). Additionally the SBGMI facilitates research and an annual virtual conference each year. We also subsidize an annual group queen purchasing program with regional pickup locations for Michigan beekeepers, who benefit from reduced shipping expense on mite-resistant stocks from qualified breeders. The SBGMI also provides scholarships for education, membership, and donates memberships to new beekeepers, bee clubs, and bee schools. The SBGMI publishes an annual report in the first quarter of each year, in which SBGMI members are able to review and discuss. In exchange for these financial contributions, members receive many additional benefits (https://sbgmi.org/membership). The SBGMI also in part contributes to the Northern Queen Initiative, a 501(C)(3) dedicated to improving queen stocks in Michigan and beyond.
The SBGMI is not-for-profit but is listed in Michigan as Sustainable Beekeepers Guild of Michigan, LLC. Therefore we are tax liable.