There are plenty of other ways to support your breed. You can donate directly to rescue groups or even specific dogs.
Yes and who do you think is behind 90% of those rescue organizations? Without clubs, the other nonclub rescues would not be able to keep up. I won't go into numbers just in my local area. Even clubs who don't have rescue programs can be accessed, to ask large groups of people for help when needed for rescue. Nonclub rescues have other networks, but its not easy getting those to grow at the pace needed, and nobody covers the entire U.S. like the NCARescue does.
I think that people that take the time to donate personally, rather then just paying dues, are better informed then the people that "paid their dues".
Thats a broad statement, however there are club members out there who don't lift a finger to do more, and it is sad but true. However, the fact is, the majority of Newfoundlands being bred in the U.S. are being bred by NON-NCA breeders. Where do you think 98% of the dogs in rescue come from? If you don't know, its from the large majority of breeders who happen to not be NCA members. I have only seen ONE donation to our rescue from a non-NCA breeder and that was only because she covered the expenses of a dog whom she bred but we didn't know until after we had Vetted him. It was not that she gave us money just to be helping the breed rescue.
I have NEVER seen a Breeder, who isn't a member of any breed club, ever donate ANYTHING to the NCA Charitable Trust, to help Newfoundland disease research. I have also NEVER seen a Breeder who isn't a member of a breed club, have more knowledge than a Breed Club Breeder who has an entire network of people at their fingertips to access information about the Newfoundland. Not everyone gets along all the time, thats normal, but the bottom line is the dogs. If you truly love this breed, not just your own dog/s sitting in your living room with you, you will support the efforts of the breed clubs to further their goal of protecting the future welfare of ALL Newfoundlands.
So if a breeder is not a member of any breed club and are breeding, buyer beware, imo.