Aspen Society Member Handbook
“The Aspen Society programs are an important part of my continuing education. The knowledge I have acquired over the years has given me confidence to move from thought to action – to say what I believe and to do what I can.”
Sue Oates, Longtime Society Member
What is the Aspen Society?
The Aspen Society is a national community of diverse and distinguished leaders who sustain and support the
values-based work of the Aspen Institute. Society members enjoy unparalleled access to Institute programs and events, including unique experiences with nationally recognized speakers and thought leaders. They are the first to know about Aspen Institute events, and they receive special invitations to member-exclusive programs across the country.
The early days of the Aspen Institute and the Aspen Society (formerly known as the Society of Fellows) were rooted in the Aspen Executive Seminar: an eight-day retreat for American businessmen to re-evaluate their values, guided by the texts of Aristotle, Plato, the Federalist Papers, and other notable Western works included in University of Chicago professor Mortimer Adler’s Great Book Series.
The Aspen Society was founded in 1964 as an alumni program for Executive Seminar participants so that
they could keep in touch and continue learning together. The original membership consisted of 33 Seminar
alumni who met in Elizabeth Paepcke’s living room in Aspen, CO and engaged in strengthening the humanities to give greater meaning to man and wiser direction to society.
Since 1964, the Aspen Society has continued to embrace the seminar model by offering symposia on
a variety of topics, such as “Globalization and the Human Condition” and “Medical Ethics: The Roots of
Healthcare Debate”. Today, these dialogues moderated by leading experts continue to provide an in-depth
exploration of current events and enduring issues from arts and culture to foreign and domestic policy.
Your Impact
Your Aspen Society membership provides critical support that sustains the work of the Aspen Institute, driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the greatest challenges of our time. Check out the most recent Aspen Institute Impact report to learn more about the Institute’s work.
Aspen Society Newsletter
The Aspen Society newsletter is the primary digital resource for all things related to the Aspen Society. It features important program and organizational updates and news, event highlights, and registration links for all Aspen Society events—which are not listed on the Aspen Institute website—as well as select Aspen Institute events open to members. The eUpdate is sent weekly from June through August and bi-weekly throughout the rest of the year.
Not receiving the Aspen Society newsletter?
Please ensure that our emails are not going to your spam folder. To do so, please follow the steps below:
1. Go to your Address Book or Contacts.
2. Add “Aspen Society” as a new contact.
3. Enter “[email protected]” in the email address section.
If you are still experiencing difficulties, please reach out to our team immediately at [email protected] so that we can assist.
Aspen Society Event Types
Over 40 programs are curated exclusively for members across the nation each year. These programs provide members with the opportunity to actively
join in the discussions that connect current issues to timeless values. These conversations, which take place in seminar rooms, homes, gardens, and around dining tables are the living embodiment of the Aspen Institute’s mission. We currently produce in-person programs in Aspen, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. If you would like to bring Aspen Society programming to a city near you, please contact the Aspen Society team.
Specials
Discussion hosted in private homes for members at the President’s Society and above featuring prominent speakers and thought leaders.
Dinners
Specially curated dinner for members and special guests featuring leading experts in their fields.
Become More Involved
Connect and collaborate with the Aspen Institute. Find out more about funding opportunities connected to our 75th anniversary campaign, pathways for successful strategic partnerships, and how you can join the conversations that matter at our year-long calendar of events.
Corporate and Foundation Partners
Our corporate partners span industries and geographies but are united in their shared commitment to creating a society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Attend a Special Event
Find out more about the Aspen Institute’s special events, running throughout the year to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of those who champion values of the Institute.
Host an Aspen Society Program
Find out more about the Aspen Institute’s special events, running throughout the year to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of those who champion values of the Institute.
Explore Past Events and Conversations
Find out more about the Aspen Institute’s special events, running throughout the year to celebrate and honor the accomplishments of those who champion values of the Institute.
Aspen Institute History and Mission
The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization committed to realizing a free, just, and equitable society. Founded in 1949, the Aspen Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the most important challenges facing the United States and the world. Headquartered in Washington, DC, the Aspen Institute has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, and an international network of partners. The video at the bottom of this page presents an overview of the Aspen Institute’s history through the eyes of Walter and Elizabeth Paepcke, founders of the Aspen Institute.
Click here or below to learn more about the history of the Aspen Institute.
Impact Areas
Our impact areas connect the dots across programs, fellowships, and networks—linking and leveraging our strengths to take on complex, interdisciplinary challenges with a truly intersectional approach.
Economic Opportunity
We believe a thriving economy is one that ensures financial security, economic mobility, and stability for all. Economic opportunity shouldn’t be a matter of luck—it requires intentional design and collaboration across sectors and viewpoints. Through research, convenings, and leadership development, we bring together policymakers, business leaders, and workers to develop strategies that expand access to good jobs, support financial well-being, and create pathways to lasting prosperity for all.
Energy and Climate
We elevate energy and climate solutions through practical, collective action that protects our planet and our future. By bringing together scientists, policymakers, businesses, and communities, we accelerate bold ideas, drive impactful collaborations, and create pathways for real-world implementation. From resilient cities to clean energy transitions, we focus on action that delivers lasting change for people and the planet.
Leadership
Leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a practice. We connect and develop leaders across sectors, generations, geographies, and viewpoints, building a community of individuals committed to addressing the world’s greatest challenges. Through dialogue, reflection, and shared learning, we cultivate the skills, relationships, and perspectives leaders need to navigate complexity, foster trust, and create meaningful, lasting change.
Rising Generations
Young people are not just the future—they are leaders today. At Aspen Institute, we ignite the potential of young people of all backgrounds by developing their leadership, amplifying their voices, and enabling productive dialogue across differences. Through community-building, civic engagement, and meaningful participation, we empower Rising Generations to shape policies, institutions, and society. Across the Institute, we foster intergenerational collaboration, support youth- and young adult-led innovation, and help young changemakers bring their ideas to life.
Societal Trust
Trust is essential to a functioning society and to daily life. At the Aspen Institute, we help sustain and rebuild trust among individuals, across communities, and within institutions. Through inclusive dialogue, principled leadership, and collaborative solutions, we cultivate the human relationships and shared understanding needed to make progress possible. Our programs create space for honest exchange, elevate local and national trust-builders, reinforce confidence in public institutions, and support efforts that uphold truth and transparency.
FAQs
What is the Aspen Society?
Founded in 1964, the Aspen Society (formerly known as the Society of Fellows (SOF)) originally consisted of 33 members who met in Elizabeth and Walter Paepcke’s living room in Aspen, Colorado in order to strengthen the humanities to deepen personal development and provide wiser direction to society. Today, the Aspen Society is a national community of diverse, distinguished leaders who sustain the values-based work of the Aspen Institute.
What are the benefits of being an Aspen Society member?
As a member of the Aspen Society, you join a community of thought leaders whose intellectual curiosity and commitment to national and global impact drive the work of the Aspen Institute forward. Members receive invitations to more than 40 programs every year in Aspen, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and other locations around the country. Members receive priority registration to the Aspen Institute’s premier public events, including Aspen Ideas Festival and Aspen Security Forum. Society members are among the first to receive registration opportunities for Aspen Institute events and get the latest information about all upcoming Aspen Institute programs through the Aspen Society email newsletter. Additional privileges are available at higher levels of membership.
Why should I join the Aspen Society?
The work of the Aspen Institute is more critical now than ever before because it uniquely convenes inclusive conversations with diverse thinkers and practitioners to solve the world’s greatest challenges. Members of the Aspen Society help to ensure this work continues, and they are fully engaged with it through programs curated specifically for them.
Is my Aspen Society membership tax-deductible?
The Aspen Institute is a 501(c)(3) organization. All Aspen Society memberships are 100% tax deductible.
How can my corporation get involved with the Aspen Society?
The Aspen Society offers multiple ways for corporate executives and senior leadership to become involved. Please contact the Society team at [email protected] or (970) 544-7980 to discuss the menu of benefit options available to corporate supporters. Corporations can also become involved as regional or national underwriters of Aspen Society events.
How do I provide a membership as a gift to someone else?
Please contact the Aspen Society team at 970.544.7980 to learn about how to provide a membership as a gift.
How do I join or renew my membership?
Membership donations can be made via check, wire transfer, stock transfer, or online donation. Donations can also be made through a Donor Advised Fund or private foundation. The Aspen Institute tax ID is 84-0399006.
Checks can be made payable to “The Aspen Institute” and mailed to 1000 N. Third St., Aspen, CO 81611. You can also join or renew your membership by emailing [email protected], calling 970.544.7980, or by contacting a member of the Society team.
Where are Aspen Society programs hosted?
Aspen Society programs are hosted in Aspen, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Palm Beach, FL; New York, NY; San Francisco, CA; and Washington, DC.
Where do I learn about upcoming programs?
Information about upcoming programs can be viewed here and will be sent to all members via the bi-weekly newsletter (which is sent weekly from June to August). We recommend adding the Aspen Society email address, [email protected], to your email contacts to ensure that our invitations and newsletter do not go to a spam folder. If you are a current member and have not received our newsletter, please contact us at [email protected] or call 970.544.7980.
Can I bring a guest to an event?
Aspen Society members are welcome to bring a guest to programs when capacity allows. Please contact the Aspen Society team with all requests.
I have an idea for a program. Who can I send my idea to?
You may submit all program ideas directly to the Aspen Society team. Please know that we may not be able to act on your recommendations, but we will take your suggestions into consideration as we plan future Aspen Society programming.
When can I contact the Aspen Society team?
The Aspen Society team is available via phone at 970.544.7980 and email [email protected] Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
How do I get more involved with The Aspen Institute?
Our team will help you engage with the Institute in ways that align with your interests. Contact your regional representative for more information. If you don’t know your regional representative, please email [email protected] or call 970.544.7980.