Become a Member

Join RAFT's caring educational community. Come to RAFT to fill your head with ideas, fill your shelves with materials, and recharge your emotional batteries. Find out why 10,000+ educators rely on RAFT's innovative hands-on products and services.

Why Become a Member?

RAFT provides innovative project ideas, hands-on learning materials, professional development and teaching support to pre-K-12 classroom and after- school teachers, child care providers, and nonprofit community service groups. Join RAFT and help transform the learning experience!

Educators Using RAFT

Who Can Join?

Any public or private school teacher, licensed child care provider, preschool teacher, homeschool educator, or nonprofit community service groups such as Scouts, libraries, summer camps or after-school programs.

Membership Types

What does it cost?

Annual individual memberships are $40 for new or $25 for renewing members. Membership is available for groups of 10 or more at reduced rates.

Membership Discount Programs

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Reminder! For safety reasons, children under 12 years old are not allowed at RAFT.

Membership Discount Programs:

Group Discounts

Institutions purchasing individual memberships in a bulk quantity of 10 or more at the same time, receive a $20 discount off the $40 annual RAFT membership. The annual discounted individual membership costs $20. All completed individual membership applications must be submitted on the same day to receive this discount. There is no institutional registration fee for the group program. Organizations may use the group program and can prepay or set up an annual purchase order for their staff membership or shopping. Contact for full details.

Student Membership

To sign-up for a student teacher membership, download the Student Teacher Authorization letter and submit it with your RAFT application.

Registered Organizations that Subsidize Memberships

View the organizations that are registered with RAFT for providing discounted memberships for their associates:

Member Benefits

Through hands-on learning workshops and Idea Sheets, RAFT gives members the chance to enhance and expand their teaching repertoire, and to connect with a larger community. Members can share their experiences, secure needed materials, and explore current trends in teaching. Computer classes are also available to help teachers integrate technology into their lesson plans and activities.

  • 1 on 1 mentoring by educational specialists to help you create engaging and impactful hands-on learning experiences.
  • Over 650 Idea Sheets are available online at no cost.
  • Over 200 professional development workshops per year.
  • A work area, "the Green Room" with equipment including over 900 Ellison Dies, laminators, book binders.
  • Weekly FREE Green Room Gatherings.
  • Bi-weekly electronic newsletter.
  • Shopping for unique and affordable teacher supplies and classroom items.
  • Affordable technology products and office furniture.
  • Reward Card program.

Frequent Membership Questions

  • How do I join RAFT?
    You can join online or download a PDF form and mail or fax it to us.
  • Who can join RAFT?
    RAFT is a non profit organization and carries educational supplies and activities for any type of educator that works with students of any age. This membership is available to volunteer and paid educators.
  • What is a proof of affiliation?
    Proof of affiliation is a one of the following items: current paycheck stub, letter from the organization you represent on letterhead, CTA card, PSA membership, business card, check or credit card from the organization you represent, license from the state for daycare or preschool facilities, 403 incorporation documents or R-4(PSA) form from the state. We also accept internet verification or emails from organizations as proof.
  • Can I use some else's card from my organization to shop at RAFT?
    RAFT memberships are individual and are not transferable, if shared with another colleague membership may be forfeited at our discretion.
  • Does my organization qualify?
    Any non profit organization is eligible to join RAFT including: scouts, after school programs, camps, PTA/PTO clubs, religious programs, day care facilities, home school educators or other organization whose purpose is to educate.
  • Can I join if I am not a teacher?
    All educators are welcome, including: home school educators, care providers, teachers in the classroom and volunteers that work or run educator programs.
  • Why can't I bring my child?
    RAFT is a refuge for adult educators and provides an adult only zone to fill this need. Due to safety reasons no children under 12 are allowed, including babies, inside the warehouse facility.
  • What are the hours and locations?
    Hours and Directions for RAFT Bay Area locations.
  • What forms of payment do you accept?
    RAFT accepts cash, checks, MasterCard or Visa and debit cards as forms of payment.
  • Is my RAFT card valid at any RAFT location?
    RAFT is happy to welcome visitors from any other RAFT location.
  • Can I visit RAFT for FREE?
    You can visit us for FREE but if you decide to purchase anything you must be qualified to obtain your own membership.
  • Are RAFT gift cards transferable to all locations?
    RAFT San Jose & Redwood City share the same cashiering systems so there is no problem using the Gift Cards. RAFT's other affiliates do not share the same systems so their Gift Cards do not work in these stores.