Erica Waasdorp

Erica Waasdorp

Erica Waasdorp is one of the leading experts on monthly giving. She is author of the book “Monthly Giving. The Sleeping Giant.” She is the president of A Direct Solution, a company serving nonprofit organizations with fundraising and direct marketing needs, with a focus on monthly giving and appeals.

She just co-authored the “Monthly Giving Starter and Marketing Kit” with Donor Perfect, and she’s working on her next book called “Monthly Giving Made Easy.” She regularly blogs and presents on fundraising, appeals and monthly giving—in person and through webinars. She is happy to answer any questions you may have about this great way of improving retention rates for your donors.

Erica has over 30 years of experience in nonprofits and direct response. She helped the nonprofits she works with raise millions of dollars through monthly giving programs. She is also very actively supports organizations with annual fund planning and execution, ranging from copywriting, creative, lists, print and mail execution.

When she’s not working or writing, Erica can be found on the golf course (she’s a straight shooter) or quietly reading a book. And if there’s an event with a live band, she and her husband, Patrick, can be found on the dance floor. She also loves watching British drama on PBS. Erica and Patrick have two step sons and cat, Mientje.

You can reach Erica at erica@adirectsolution.com or by phone at (508) 776-1224.

November 11, 2019 Should You Thank Monthly Donors Who Make an Extra Gift?

Should you send a thank-you letter to your monthly donors for that extra gift? My recommendation is an unequivocal YES.

November 4, 2019 When Is a Good Time to Launch Monthly Giving?

Does the timing of the launch of your monthly giving program make a difference?

October 28, 2019 Asking Monthly Donors for an Extra Gift — Is It ‘Creepy’?

As it’s almost Halloween, I thought I’d discuss the “creepy” topic of asking monthly donors for an extra gift this giving season.

October 21, 2019 Try Something New With Your Monthly Donors

Fundraisers are fascinating. As a fundraiser, you should have some freedom to think outside the box.

October 14, 2019 Fundraisers: Don’t Have Any Regrets

Your job as a fundraiser is an important one, and it’s vital to realize that you are making an impact on your organization.

October 2, 2019 Supercharge Sustainer Retention With Face-to-Face Fundraising, Part 2

Retention. It’s something every single one of us struggles with. And no matter how a new sustainer came on board, the first three months after sign-up are critical to retaining new sustainers. But when it comes to recurring donors acquired via face-to-face, retention becomes even more crucial.

September 30, 2019 How Can You Find a Good Name for Your Monthly Donor Program?

Organizations often “agonize” about the name for a monthly giving program. Many are holding up the launch of it. Do yourself a favor: Don’t delay. You can always recognize donors later!

September 26, 2019 Supercharge Sustainer Retention With Face-to-Face Fundraising, Part 1

Face-to-face fundraising is one of the best ways to inspire people to make an ongoing and sustained donation. Keeping the connection with new sustainers and making sure that their gifts keep coming in for the long-term can be a challenge, but it’s solvable.

September 23, 2019 How Should You Treat Your Monthly Donors on Giving Tuesday?

As you’re getting ready for Giving Tuesday — or the campaign season starting before Thanksgiving — this question comes up often: Should I include my monthly donors in my Giving Tuesday campaign?

September 16, 2019 How Can You Solve the Long-Term vs. Short-Term Struggle?

Spoiler alert: It’s not by doing more social media. It’s not by running more events. It’s by focusing on asking your donors to upgrade, to make monthly gifts and leave gifts through their will.

September 9, 2019 The Power of a Monthly Giving Tick Box on Your Appeals

With monthly giving, it’s all about consistency. It’s about a continued and committed focus. It’s about finding ways to build in a monthly giving ask wherever you possibly can. If you’re sending appeals in the mail and you’ve not already done so, consider adding a simple tick box to your appeal.

September 3, 2019 How Can We Unconfuse Monthly Donors?

As a monthly donor, I support many organizations. Frankly, until I sit down at the end of the year to prepare for my taxes, I don’t even know how many great nonprofits I give monthly to.

August 26, 2019 Monthly Giving Hindsight Is Always 20/20

Use the month of September to try something new. Because you know what they say: “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you keep getting what you’re getting.” By making a small change, you may get a different result.

August 19, 2019 You Can Make Recurring Gifts From Your Donor-Advised Fund

Just like donor-advised funds are growing, I foresee that recurring gifts from DAFs will grow as well. It’s yet another way for donors to support your organization on an ongoing basis. And the gifts are certainly nothing to sneeze at!

August 14, 2019 Why Do You Give Monthly?

Next time you send a survey to your monthly donors, ask them why they’re giving monthly. Collect the answers and put it into a word cloud yourself. It’s a tremendous visual way to see what’s important to your donors. You can put it on your bulletin board, and you could even put it in other communications.

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