Research Study Preview

2026 Membership Study Preview Report | The Member Advantage

New research comparing association members and nonmembers on career growth, financial stability, and readiness for what’s next

Associations have always argued that membership pays off. This report puts data behind that claim for the first time, at a scale no prior study has matched. Conducted by Edge Research and commissioned by Momentive Software, it compares a split of ~2000 current members and people who have never joined an association, examining career advancement, financial confidence, and resilience in the face of disruption, including AI. The findings give associations proof of what membership delivers, and a new way to make that case to the people they’re trying to recruit and retain.

60% of members feel prepared for AI-driven changes to their role, compared to 41% of nonmembers.

Members average 2.12 promotions across their career, compared to 1.22 for nonmembers.

43% of members feel financially stable, compared to 26% of nonmembers.

Take a look at the sneak peek of findings in the preview, and sign up for the full report to be the first to receive when it's published!