Monthly Giving

If you take a little time now for a monthly giving focus, come January, you’ll be that much farther ahead.

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

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

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

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

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. 

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!

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.

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? 

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.