Membership
Strengthen democracy where you live
Across Fredericksburg, Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford, the League helps people understand their government, participate in elections, and make their voices heard.
Join a community of neighbors working for informed voters, accountable government, and a stronger civic life.
Learn. Serve. Lead. Make a local difference.
League membership gives you a place to turn concern about our democracy into meaningful action. You do not need political experience or specialized knowledge. Bring your interests, your perspective, and whatever time you have.
As a member, you can:
- Help register voters and share trusted, nonpartisan election information.
- Participate in candidate forums, civic programs, community conversations, and voter outreach.
- Study local issues and help shape the League’s advocacy priorities.
- Learn more about government and the decisions affecting our region.
- Build relationships with neighbors who care about their community.
- Develop new skills, contribute your experience, or step into leadership.
- Connect with opportunities through the Virginia and national Leagues.
Your membership, your pace
Some members volunteer regularly. Others help with a particular event, attend educational programs, participate in League decisions, or support the mission through their membership. Every level of involvement matters.
The League welcomes people of all backgrounds and identities. Members age 16 and older may vote in League business.
Membership is pay-what-you-can, with a recommended annual contribution of $75 and a minimum of $20.
When you join the League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area, you also become a member of the League of Women Voters of Virginia and the League of Women Voters of the United States.
Your membership contribution supports the League at all three levels:
- 20% supports the Fredericksburg Area League.
- 47% supports the League of Women Voters of Virginia.
- 33% supports the League of Women Voters of the United States.
Contributions above the recommended amount are welcome and help make membership affordable for more people.
During enrollment or renewal, you may also make a supplemental donation directly to LWVFRA. That additional contribution stays with our local League.
Everyone is welcome in the League of Women Voters.
People age 16 and older may become voting members. Younger people may join as non-voting members. Despite our historic name, membership is not limited by gender.
No political affiliation, ideology, or previous civic experience is required. The League never supports or opposes political parties or candidates.
Membership enrollment and renewal are managed through the national League’s Member Portal.
Use the portal to:
- Join or renew your membership.
- Review or update your contact information.
- Manage your League profile.
Questions about membership? Contact membership@fredericksburglwv.org.
The League at Mary Washington
Empower Democracy On Campus
UMW Student Membership
University of Mary Washington students can build practical leadership skills, learn how democracy works, and make an impact on campus and throughout the Fredericksburg region.
The LWVFRA Student Council offers opportunities to participate in voter registration, nonpartisan civic education, public programs, committee work, and campus initiatives.
Free Student Council membership
Student Council membership is free and allows students to:
- Participate in campus activities and events.
- Attend workshops, forums, and voter registration drives.
- Contribute to committee work and campus initiatives.
- Vote at Student Council meetings.
- Meet other students interested in civic participation.
Dual Membership
Students may also become full members of the League of Women Voters. Dual membership includes all Student Council opportunities, plus:
- Membership in LWVFRA, the Virginia League, and the national League.
- Opportunities to participate in League work beyond campus.
- Access to state and national resources and advocacy opportunities.
- Connections with experienced League members and potential mentors.
- Eligibility to run for Student Council officer positions.
- Membership that can continue after graduation through annual renewal.
Annual League membership is pay-what-you-can, beginning at $20.
Questions about student membership? Contact studentcouncil@fredericksburglwv.org.
Support Our Work
Help build a more informed and engaged community
Your gift helps people find reliable election information, understand their government, hear directly from candidates, participate in civic life, and connect across differences.
Donor support can help make possible:
- Voter registration drives and community outreach.
- Nonpartisan candidate forums and election information.
- Voter guides and local government resources.
- Public workshops, conversations, and educational events.
- Civic learning opportunities for high school and college students.
- Partnerships with libraries, schools, universities, and community organizations.
- Research and advocacy on issues affecting our region.
- The materials, communications, technology, and coordination required to make this work available to the public.
There are two ways to give.
Give directly to LWVFRA
Give where your support is needed most
A direct gift gives our local League the greatest flexibility. It can support voter engagement, community programming, member-led advocacy, public communications, partnerships, event expenses, and the essential operating needs behind all our work.
One hundred percent of your direct gift supports the Fredericksburg Area League.
Direct gifts to LWVFRA are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions because LWVFRA is a 501(c)(4) organization.
To arrange a contribution by check, contact treasurer@fredericksburglwv.org. Otherwise, please donate directly via the link above.
Support trusted, nonpartisan civic education
Tax-deductible Education Fund gifts support the educational side of our mission. These contributions help us give people the facts, tools, and opportunities they need to participate confidently in civic life.
Education Fund gifts may support:
- Voter registration and nonpartisan election outreach.
- Candidate forums and voter information.
- Local government guides and educational publications.
- Civic workshops, speaker programs, and community conversations.
- High school and university civic-learning initiatives.
- Other nonpartisan educational and community programs offered throughout our five-jurisdiction region.
Our Education Fund is administered through the League of Women Voters of Virginia, a 501(c)(3) organization. Education Fund contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
How the Education Fund works
The League of Women Voters of Virginia Education Fund receives and administers tax-deductible gifts supporting eligible educational work by the Fredericksburg Area League.
Please use the Education Fund donation link and follow its instructions to direct your contribution to the Fredericksburg Area League’s educational programs.
Questions about giving? Contact treasurer@fredericksburglwv.org.
Tax Information
The League offers two ways to give, each with a different federal tax classification. An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, is the federal tax ID used to identify the organization receiving your contribution.
Direct gifts to LWVFRA
Organization: LWV of the Fredericksburg Area
Federal tax classification: 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization
EIN: 81-3409886
Direct contributions to LWVFRA support our local League’s full range of work, including civic engagement, advocacy, communications, programs, and organizational needs.
Although LWVFRA is exempt from federal income tax, contributions made directly to LWVFRA are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income-tax purposes.
Education Fund gifts
Legal organization: League of Women Voters of Virginia
Federal tax classification: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
EIN: 54-1334464
Contributions made through the Education Fund are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
How the Education Fund works
The Fredericksburg Area League works through the League of Women Voters of Virginia to receive tax-deductible contributions for eligible educational programs in our region.
Education Fund gifts are received and administered by the state League and designated to support approved educational work conducted by LWVFRA. Eligible activities may include:
- Voter registration and nonpartisan voter information.
- Candidate forums and debates.
- Voter guides and local government directories.
- Public seminars, workshops, and community conversations.
- Educational publications and digital resources.
- Youth and student civic-education programs.
Education Fund money must be used for nonpartisan educational purposes that serve the public. It cannot be used for candidate or party activity, member-only programming, or advocacy intended to influence specific legislation.
If you are contributing through a donor-advised fund, employer matching program, foundation, or another third party, use the Education Fund’s legal name and EIN and indicate that your gift is intended to support the educational work of the League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area.
Please retain your donation acknowledgment for your tax records. Donors should consult their tax adviser regarding their individual circumstances.
Questions about tax-deductible gifts, organizational documentation, or special contributions? Contact treasurer@fredericksburglwv.org.
Which Way of Giving Is Right for Me?
Give directly to LWVFRA
Choose a direct gift when you want your contribution to provide the greatest flexibility.
Direct gifts can support our full range of local work, including advocacy, voter engagement, community programming, communications, partnerships, and organizational needs.
Direct gifts to LWVFRA are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions.
Give through the Education Fund
Choose an Education Fund gift when you want to support nonpartisan voter education and public civic-learning programs.
Education Fund gifts can support candidate forums, voter information, public workshops, educational publications, local government resources, and youth civic engagement.
Education Fund contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
Explore other ways to give
You may also be able to support our educational work through other charitable or tax-advantaged giving arrangements, including:
- Qualified charitable distributions, or QCDs, made directly from an eligible donor’s IRA.
- Grants from donor-advised funds.
- Employer matching-gift programs.
- Workplace giving programs.
- Gifts of appreciated securities or other assets.
- Planned gifts, including bequests and beneficiary designations.
- Foundation or corporate grants.
These gifts will generally need to be made through the League of Women Voters of Virginia Education Fund and designated for the educational work of the League of Women Voters of the Fredericksburg Area.
Because requirements and tax treatment vary, please contact us before initiating a special gift. We can provide the appropriate legal name, tax ID, designation language, and delivery instructions and coordinate with the Virginia Education Fund when necessary.
Contact: treasurer@fredericksburglwv.org
The League does not provide individual tax, legal, or financial advice. Donors should consult their professional advisers about their circumstances.
Not ready to join or give?
Attend an upcoming program, volunteer at an event, or subscribe to our newsletter. There are many ways to become part of the League community.
Questions? Contact us at: info@fredericksburglwv.org