Support Outlier
Donate any amount to become a member
Become a member of The Outlier Collective to join a community of Detroiters who care about the city and their neighbors — and strive to make it better.
Your membership directly funds Outlier Media’s investigative reporting and our work to inform and empower Detroiters.
Membership benefits
Welcome package
Check your mailbox for your membership card and other goodies
An online community
Chat about local news and more in the Discord server
Members-only newsletter
Outlier behind the scenes, member shoutouts, raffles and more
Service opportunities
Virtual and in-person volunteering
Exclusive events
Learn, mingle, and celebrate with fellow members
Classifieds
List or find jobs, junk and gems
FAQs
Who is a member of The Outlier Collective?
Anyone who has donated to Outlier Media or purchased a ticket to an Outlier event in the last 365 days is considered a member.
Additionally, legacy free members — who filled out a form to join The Outlier Collective before September 2025 — have been grandfathered in to the relaunched membership program.
How do I check if I’m an active member?
You will receive a welcome email and physical mail (if you gave us your address) after donating or buying a ticket.
You can see details of your donation in the donor portal. If you are unsure about your membership status, email Membership and Events Manager Ashley Fassett at afassett@outliermedia.org.
How do I access my member benefits?
See more details about membership benefits, including how to access the Discord server.
You’ll also get event invites and the quarterly newsletter to your email — if you’re not seeing member communications come through your inbox, or need to change your email, reach out to Ashley at afassett@outliermedia.org.
How do I get the welcome package?
Submit your membership form with your address so we can send it your way!
How do I access The Outlier Collective Discord server?
You should have received an email with an invite link after donating. See our FAQ if you’re unsure how to use Discord. If you still need help or can’t find the link to join, email afassett@outliermedia.org.
How do I make changes to my existing recurring donation?
You can log into the donor portal to review or change your recurring donation at any time.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Outlier Media is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. Our EIN is 87-4775293. Donations are tax-deductible in accordance with IRS limitations.
Can I donate via check?
Yes! Please make checks payable to Outlier Media. Our mailing address is:
Outlier Media
440 Burroughs St. Ste. 365
Detroit MI 48202-3473
What happened to free membership?
When we launched The Outlier Collective in 2023, we offered both free and paid membership tiers that offered the same benefits to allow anyone to participate. In practice, this created more confusion and kept us from building the kind of sustainable support we need, especially as nonprofit news funding remains uncertain.
The Outlier Collective no longer has a free tier, though past free members have been grandfathered in. To keep things as inclusive as possible, any donation from as little as $1 makes you a member. We welcome your feedback and ideas — please reach out to Ashley at afassett@outliermedia.org.
What if I have another question or need help?
Contact Ashley at afassett@outliermedia.org.