Join our mission.

Whether you want to preserve your own legacy, engage with meaningful memory projects, or simply stay informed with exclusive content, there's a path for you. Discover how you can become a valued part of the STORIES THAT DEFINE US family.

Become a friend

Tier 1: FRIEND — $25

Who you are: Anyone who believes family stories matter and wants to take the first step toward preserving their own.

What your contribution supports: The production and distribution of educational materials, social media outreach, and community awareness campaigns that introduce the general public to the practice and benefits of oral history preservation.

What you receive in appreciation:

  • A digital welcome letter
  • Our 40-page guide on conducting oral history with quick-start tips for recording their first family interview
  • A certificate of appreciation as a foundational supporter of our mission
  • An autographed copy of STORIES THAT DEFINE US: Chronicling and Preserving Your Family Legacy. 

Make a plan

Tier 2: LEGACY LEADER — $100

Who you are: Anyone who believes family stories matter and wants to take the first step toward preserving their own.

What your contribution supports: Community workshops, partnerships with schools, libraries, faith-based organizations, and senior centers, and the development of new educational resources and programming.

What you receive in appreciation:

  • Everything in Tier 1, plus
  • A one-hour, one-on-one consultation with our founder, John Michael Lockhart. (Longer consultations and group consultations are also available, per our fee schedule.)
  • Unlimited access to our multimedia library 
  • Unlimited, free downloads of the e-books  our online library

Memoralize your legacy

Tier 3: STAKEHOLDER — $500

Who you are: Visionary supporters — individuals, families, small businesses, civic leaders, or organizations — who see family oral history preservation as essential community infrastructure and want to help lead the movement.

What your contribution supports: Major program expansion including underserved community outreach, pilot programs in schools, production of multimedia educational content, speaker events, and the long-term sustainability of the organization's mission.

What you receive in appreciation:

  • Everything offered in Tier 1 and Tier 2, plus
  • A one-on-one or family consultation/ interview session (up to four hours) to help you begin or deepen your own family oral history project