Erica Waasdorp

Erica Waasdorp

Erica Waasdorp is one of the leading experts on monthly giving. 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 authored “Monthly Giving: The Sleeping Giant” and “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 a cat, Mientje.

January 27, 2025 5 Ideas to Gain Donor Loyalty With Sustainer Giving in 2025

Encouraging your supporters to become sustainers can foster loyalty in your donor base. Here are five ideas to acquire monthly donors.

July 29, 2024 Now and Then: Monthly Giving Patterns Across Four Decades

How far have we come in fundraising? Upon digging through documents from my 41-year career, here’s how I’ve seen monthly giving change.

May 24, 2024 How Important Is Artificial Intelligence If You’re Not Even Doing the Basics?

I’m concerned that everybody is jumping to use AI. If you don’t cover these basics first, AI won’t help you raise one more dollar.

February 6, 2024 4 Ways to Generate More Monthly Donors Via ACH Transfer

Here are four ways to find ACH donors or convert recurring donors ACH transfers. This is truly the cat’s meow of recurring giving.

December 11, 2023 4 Common Recurring Gift Bloopers

Here are a few bloopers in direct mail and emails that could have been prevented in the past few months.

November 15, 2023 It’s OK If Monthly Donors Start With Low Gift Amounts

If you are patient you’ll be able to ask them for extra gifts, special projects and upgrade them to higher levels.

October 16, 2023 Top 3 Tips for Fundraisers Looking to Level Up Their Monthly Giving

Here are my top three tips for fundraisers who are looking to start growing their monthly giving program to the next level.

September 20, 2023 Answers to 5 Key Questions About Monthly Giving

Fundraisers ask me questions about monthly giving all of the time. Here are the answers to some of those key questions.

August 10, 2023 You Get What You Pay for With Free Technology

Some software companies may say, “This platform or donor database is free and cool,” but you may have to clean up more of a mess later.

July 19, 2023 What Will Giving Look Like This Year?

Despite industry worries about giving trends, most people surveyed by Charity Navigator said they plan to donate this year.

June 1, 2023 What to Do When Your Agency Doesn’t Want to Ask for Monthly Gifts

Many agencies feel client pressure to reach a certain goal, and it’s safer to focus on one-time gifts. So how do you convince your agency to add monthly giving to your appeals?

May 22, 2023 How to Honor Recurring Donors on Their Birthdays

Birthdays are powerful opportunities to recognize your recurring donors. Here are ways you can make your donors feel extra special.

April 5, 2023 Recurring Extra Gift and Upgrade Best Practices

Tax letters should aim to engage recurring donors and encourage them to either make an extra gift, upgrade to a higher level, switch to a higher retaining way of giving, or give the ultimate gift. Here's how you can do that.

March 22, 2023 Charity Navigator’s Kevin Scally Talks Recurring Giving Stats and Trends

Kevin Scally, chief relationship officer at Charity Navigator, shared that with a shrinking donor population, recurring gifts can both democratize philanthropy and lower the barriers for giving.

February 9, 2023 5 Best Practices for Recurring Donor Receipts

It's always a good thing to be as transparent as possible to your donors. So here are my top five best practices when it comes to recurring gift receipts.

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