Renew Your Membership

As members of EdLoC, we know collective action is essential to break down the systemic and institutional barriers that have denied children of color opportunity after opportunity. With over 1,000 members from 40+ states and the District of Columbia, our Network reflects the geographic and racial diversity of the country––from founders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, PhDs, superintendents, and other values-aligned leaders, we are committed to taking action in solidarity across race, ethnicity, and sector.


Renewing your membership with EdLoC is more than a transaction––it's a commitment to continue our shared journey together. As changemakers, your membership is about building a collective power to drive meaningful change. From catalyzing innovative solutions with the Boulder Fund to driving policy change, our unique approach to economic and academic advancement wouldn't be possible without all of you.

“EdLoC has been an invaluable source of support, connection, and empowerment throughout my social impact journey. In every role I’ve undertaken—educator, researcher, college dean, thought leader, or entrepreneur—I have been encouraged, inspired, and challenged by the collective wisdom of EdLoC members to grow my commitment to making educational and life outcomes equity a reality for the students I serve. As a dues-paying member, I am proud of this investment not only in myself but also in the transformative EdLoC community and our collective success.” 

Donnell Butler, Founder and President, Opportunity College, Member Since 2015, 2023 Boulder Fund recipient

Membership FAQ’s and Policies 

  • To become an EdLoC member, the minimum qualifications are to be a leader of color in a senior-level role, display high alignment with EdLoC values, and maintain regular payment of dues.

    Member admissions begin with a nomination from a current member (or a reference from a trusted impact leader). Prospects then participate in a cultivation call with a staff member and may receive a recommendation of acceptance from the interviewing staff member.

  • Starting January 1, 2024, payment of membership dues will occur on an annual basis. Any member who pays dues prior to December 31, 2023, will have an active membership for the full 2024 year, with an expiration on December 31, 2024.

    Any member paying dues on, or after, January 1, 2024, will receive a full-year membership starting from the date the member’s dues payment was processed. Dues will cover 365 calendar days from the first date of membership (or renewal).

    Members seeking to pay dues on, or before, December 31, 2023, will pay for their membership in advance for the 2024 calendar year, and their membership will remain active until December 31, 2024. Members will be able to pay in advance for 2024 membership between July 1 and December 31, 2023.

  • Starting on January 1, 2024, and for the entirety of the 2024 calendar year, the cost of a 365-day (one year) membership will be $300. However, when needed, EdLoC reserves the right to increase future annual dues as needed to support organizational sustainability. When dues increases are needed, EdLoC will aim to share increases with the Network with as much advance notice as possible.

  • Dues must be paid in full for members to have their membership renewed. If dues for the upcoming year are not paid by December 31, membership will be automatically paused. When your membership is paused, you will still have an EdLoC Connect profile but may not be able to log in or engage with existing resources and tools. Furthermore, you will no longer be able to access benefits, events, or resources reserved for members until the pause is lifted. A pause will be lifted once dues are paid. Memberships with extended pauses may be cancelled and related profiles fully removed from our system.

  • We are a small team without the capacity to manage installment plans or partial dues payments. Full payment of annual dues must be remitted in one lump sum. Membership will be renewed after full dues have been paid and processed.

  • EdLoC will not prorate any memberships. However, members paying dues on, or after, January 1 will receive a full-year membership starting from the date the member’s dues payment was processed. Dues will cover 365 calendars days from first date of membership (or renewal). This policy includes members who pay dues after having their membership paused.

  • While we believe that dues are an important way for members to contribute to our network community and enable our ability to provide regular, impactful programming, we do not want financial hardship to be a barrier to membership and will consider scholarships in very limited circumstances. While scholarship requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the following criteria will act as guidelines in scholarship decisions:

    • Member is a full-time student;

    • Member is staff or founder of an early-stage nonprofit, or school district employee, with a demonstrated financial need;

    • Member is currently unemployed or underemployed; or

    • Other unique situation (with explanation provided by the member).

    Members must request a scholarship via email to Network@edloc.org with subject line: “Dues Scholarship Request” at least 30 days prior to end of the membership year. The email should highlight their rationale for requesting a scholarship and provide. EdLoC will aim to respond to scholarship requests with a decision within 10 business days of submission. Members should also consider requesting their employer cover membership costs with professional development funds if possible.

  • While EdLoC does have recruitment cycles that allow for cohort-based onboarding into the Network, a person may become a member at any time of the year. Any person becoming a member and paying dues on, or after, January 1, 2024, will receive a full-year membership starting from the date that member’s dues payment was processed. Dues will cover 365 calendars days from the first date of membership.

    People who become members before December 31, 2023, will receive complimentary membership for the remainder of the 2023 calendar year and be required to pay a full membership fee ($300) to initiate annual membership renewal on January 1, 2024.

  • EdLoC will not pro-rate any memberships nor will it accept installment payments towards annual memberships at this time. Full payment of annual dues must be remitted at the time of processing to secure a 365-day (one year) membership.

  • To support renewal ease for members, EdLoC recommends all members set up to automatically have their memberships renewed (and dues payments processed) at the end of their current 365-day (one year) membership. EdLoC will proactively set up auto-renewal for all members when a membership (or renewal) is initiated.

    Members will however, be provided an option to self-select out of auto-renewal, in which case it will be that member’s responsibility to ensure dues are paid at the end of their membership year to remain an active member.

  • Dues must be paid in full for members to have their membership renewed. If dues for the upcoming year are not paid by the last day of the current membership term, membership will be automatically paused.

    When membership is paused, the member will still have an EdLoC Connect profile but may not be able to log in or engage with resources and tools. Furthermore, members will not be able to access benefits, events, or resources reserved for members until the pause is lifted. A pause will be lifted once dues are paid and the new annual, 365-day membership term will start on the day of dues processing. A membership may be paused for up to six months before it is officially cancelled and the profile is removed from our system.

  • Members may choose to cancel their membership at any time by contacting the Network Operations Manager. EdLoC will not, however, provide any refunds of membership dues for canceled memberships. A member may also choose to cancel their membership by letting their dues lapse. If a member fails to pay annual dues their membership will be paused at the end of the current membership term. Memberships paused for six consecutive months will be canceled.

    Once a membership is canceled, the member will have their EdLoC Connect Profile discontinued and their names and information removed from active EdLoC databases. They will no longer have access to EdLoC benefits or resources reserved for members.

    If a membership is canceled and the person wants to become a member again, they will need to resubmit a nomination for membership and re-enter the Selections process.

  • With the exception of reversing errors in payment and/or processing, EdLoC will not provide any refunds for any membership dues paid.

  • All members are expected to set up and maintain an active EdLoC Connect profile. Members should also plan to update their profiles at least once a year or when prompted by staff. Members will need to have an active profile in order to be considered a member in goodstanding.

  • A member in “good standing” means that a member:

    • Is up to date on annual dues

    • Has a current EdLoC Connect Profile

    • Completed theAnnual Member Survey

    • Engaged in at least one EdLoC event/activity in the past year