Audiophile Foundation is the current incarnation of various audiophile interest groups that have operated in the Bay Area going back to 1981 (Northern California Audio Society—1981, BAAS—1995, SFAS-2014). SFAF was formed in 2020 as a California nonprofit mutual benefit corporation. It qualifies as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), for public and charitable purposes.

As of September, 2023, the Audiophile Foundation has about 320 members.

The Audiophile Foundation has a Board of Directors that plans and conducts our programs and other activities. Our directors are unpaid volunteers. Meetings of the Board, typically quarterly, are presided over by the President of the foundation, but all of the directors contribute to the operations and event planning.

The Audiophile Foundation collects payments from annual membership dues ($30) and nominal event registration fees (generally $10, athough educational events can cost a little more). We are also able to raise tax-free income from other means such as cash and non-cash donations.

Our three main expenses are:

1) Marketing and technology expenses including website hosting, domain names, Zoom, Social Media platforms and support as well as membership & event management

2) Educational materials and venue related costs

3) Event related costs such as venue rental fees, snacks and food, including cleanup fees, programming costs, speaker fees if applicable, and other event programming costs

We charge a nominal fee of $10 per person for events to offset the operating costs described above.  Audio companies and dealers speak at our events by invitation, and only if they have topics, demos, or presentations about music that are worthwhile for our members. Our goal is to make sure that our events address a wide variety of audiophile interests and are both useful and entertaining.

When you sign up for membership on the website, you are taken to a portal where you can pay via a credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and ACH (Direct Debt). Online payment processing is handled by Stripe.  

Members can cancel their own memberships at anytime from our website by going to their Member Profile > More Member Options, then select Privacy/Cancel/Remove (see below).

If you need further assistance with your membership, send an email to Contact@audiophilefoundation.org.

Event fees and cancelled memberships are non-refundable.

For all other types of refunds, send a refund request to Treasurer@audiophilefoundation.org.

Yes, we encourage you to bring guests, family members, and significant others who may be interested in the club. However, only members can sign up guests for programs.

We are run entirely by volunteers. If you have some ideas or useful skills, or want to help the club out in other ways, please reach out to anyone on the board. Some ways that you can help are event ideas, volunteering for sys-hops, and suggestions regarding possible venues or new types of club activities. Contact us at: contact@audiophilefoundation.org.

Of course! Member contributions to The Muse are always welcome. Besides your music picks, we would love to share your thoughts on new toys, concerts attended, interesting events, and music and hi-fi in general.  Contact us at: contact@audiophilefoundation.org.

Please reach out to any of the Board members at an Audiophile Foundation event or send an email to: contact@audiophilefoundation.org.