Helping organisations
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Join AIM
AIM represents, connects and strengthens the UK’s independent museums and heritage organisations. Join us and you will be part of a supportive and engaged community of over 1000 independent organisations from right across the UK. And as the voice of the independent sector, AIM will make sure you are heard too. As well as access to grants, key resources and greater collective procurement power, we deliver an accessible programme of expertise and practical guidance relevant from your board to your front desk, and our focus on pragmatism and success inspires innovation, enabling you to build resilience, network and plan effectively in these challenging times. There has never been a better time to join AIM.
Stronger together
As an AIM member, you are an important part of a growing network of over 1000 similar museum and heritage organisations across the UK.
Representing your needs
Authoritative and respected, we are consulted on and regularly help inform government and sector decisions; our advocacy work ensures the voice of our members is heard.
Exclusively for you - grants, consultancies, advice lines and discounts
We offer members a range of exclusive benefits including: extensive member-only grant schemes; Prospering Board governance consultancies; Hallmarks at Home consultancy workshops; free advice lines on business rates, Museums and Galleries Exhibition Tax Relief, and HR advice and support. You can also make savings on your energy bills through our Energy Action Group procurement process as well as enjoy a range of member discounts on AIM’s national conference and advertising. All members also benefit from free Trustee vacancy advertising.
Supporting you
Access relevant and expert advice through AIM’s extensive online resources – everything you need to know, from setting up a museum, to running a café, securing tax reliefs or appealing business rates decisions. Our friendly, expert staff team are also on hand to help with your queries and questions – the best support for all your needs.
Benefitting you
Enjoy affiliate membership of the Charity Finance Group at no extra cost – access regular finance updates, special interest groups on museum finance, and helplines on accounting and tax, legal advice, property, pensions and managing financial difficulties.
Keeping you in touch
Our Bulletin and eNews shares the latest news, advice and innovations relevant to you, your organisation and your career.
Suppliers and consultants
From advertising opportunities to networking, sponsorship and showcasing, join AIM to reach museums, raise the profile of your business and align your company with a trusted and established organisation.
Find out more here or use the link below to join AIM today.
How to join
Simply fill in the online form – click the button below to find the best option for you:
If you have any questions, please contact Helen Farress or call us on 0333 305 8060.
Membership rates 2021:
| Small museums (up to 20,000 visitors) and additional sites of multi-site organisations | £62 |
| Medium museums (20,000 – 50-000 visitors) | £98 |
| Large museums (50,000 – 100,000 visitors) | £155 |
| Largest museums (over 100,000 visitors) | £400 |
| Individual / MDO / freelance / support organisations (1 or no paid staff) | £67 |
| Non-profit support organisations / libraries / archives (2+ paid staff) | £134 |
| Suppliers/Consultants | £160 |
| Associate Suppliers | £355 |
You can meet a selection of existing AIM members here>>
What our members say
Mary Rose benefits from AIM Membership in a number of ways. Firstly, the networking and shared learning with colleagues is invaluable. Secondly, AIM tackles the issues that are taxing us all and comes up with pragmatic solutions. The recent introduction of the Charity Finance Group helpline service has been very useful, and we have also benefitted from AIM initiatives to challenge business rates. Finally, the advocacy that AIM does in the wider sector to ensure that the voice of independent museums is heard, has great value for all of us.
Helen Bonser-Wilton, Chief Executive, Mary Rose Trust
AIM is the ultimate professional ‘one stop’ support for all independent museums.
Sue Barnes, The Bugatti Trust
Our membership of AIM benefits us by broadening our access to sector best practice, giving access to funding opportunities, and helping us with our training needs and recruitment.
Peter Turvey, Trustee & Chair, Crofton Branch, Kennet & Avon Canal Trust
Being a part of AIM gives us access to a wider support network and family! We know that we can go to AIM for advice on a range of topics, and more than that, being a member means that we can take advantage of grant opportunities and workshops that would otherwise not be open to us. For us, being a member of AIM has more than benefited our organisation – it has helped improve it!
Sarah Hayes, Coffin Works & Museum Manager
AIM works hard to support museums through its free success guides, access to funding opportunities and provision of training, and advocacy on behalf of our sector. It’s important that we support AIM back through membership. The Roald Dahl Museum sees AIM as a forum to share our lessons from mistakes and success with colleagues, to help us learn in return from the mistakes and successes of others. No two museums are exactly alike, but AIM helps us find our common ground.
Steve Gardam, Director, Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre