ST. LOUIS, MO — Dragonfly Collective Agency is delighted to announce the acquisition of Membership Consultants, the respected St. Louis-based membership marketing firm founded by Dana Hines in 1988. The announcement marks both an exciting new chapter for Dragonfly and a celebration of Hines’ extraordinary 38-year career, as she prepares to step into a senior advisory consultative role after a lifetime dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations grow and thrive.
For nearly four decades, Hines and the Membership Consultants team have been trusted partners to museums, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, science centers, children’s museums, and countless other cultural and mission-based institutions across the country. Under her leadership, Membership Consultants helped these organizations raise tens of millions of dollars in membership revenue and welcome countless new members into their communities — a legacy built one relationship, one campaign, and one client success story at a time.
“It is with great pride that I look back on almost four decades of working with more than 700 museums, zoos, aquariums, gardens, and non -profit organizations. Together we have enlisted, renewed, and upgraded hundreds of thousands of members. This new path for Membership Consultants is a natural choice to pass on the membership torch. I have full faith and trust that my Dragonfly colleagues will lead the Membership Consultants legacy with the same care, vision, and purpose as I have done,” said Hines.
Effective January 1, 2027, Membership Consultants’ clients and team will join The Collective, Dragonfly’s growing team of senior fundraising strategists and direct response experts. Hines will remain involved in a consultative role during the transition to ensure continuity and seamless experience for Membership Consultants’ clients. The Membership Consultants brand and services will continue for a transition period with co-branded materials throughout the transition.
The acquisition reflects the very idea behind Dragonfly’s name and mission: The Collective is built to grow stronger by bringing together experienced, mission-driven partners under one roof. Membership Consultants’ deep expertise in membership-based organizations — particularly museums, zoos, aquariums, and other cultural institutions — adds a natural and complementary specialty to Dragonfly’s existing strengths in fundraising strategy, data-driven direct response, and creative execution, further equipping The Collective to help nonprofit clients turn purpose into progress.
“Dana has been a trusted colleague and dear friend for many years. I am grateful for her trust and confidence in allowing Dragonfly to carry on her legacy of service and dedication to the cultural vertical and membership programs in particular. Membership Consultants offers a unique set of services and business intelligence that we look forward to continuing to deliver. Because we have already been working together for a number of years, I have no doubt we will maintain that commitment to excellence,” said Alicia M. Lifrak, CFRE, CEO and Founder of Dragonfly Collective Agency.
Clients can expect the same senior-level, relationship-driven service they have always received, now backed by Dragonfly’s broader team of strategists, data analysts, and creative professionals. Together, the combined teams will continue to deliver the thoughtful, data-informed membership and fundraising programs that have defined both organizations’ reputations for excellence.
Dragonfly Collective Agency is a full-service agency helping nonprofits build customized direct response fundraising, membership, and marketing programs that meet organizational priorities at scale. The Collective brings together seasoned strategists, creative problem-solvers, and mission-driven partners who deliver informed, integrated fundraising services — including strategy and planning, data and analytics, and campaign execution across direct mail, digital, and creative channels. Dragonfly Collective helps nonprofit clients nationwide with custom-built solutions for fundraising, membership, and marketing.
Media Contact
Alicia M. Lifrak, CFRE
Dragonfly Collective Agency
CEO | Founder
alicia.lifrak@dfcagency.com
555 Washington Ave, Suite 310, St. Louis, MO 63101
dragonflycollectiveagency.com