That Special Feeling That Follows Monthly Giving

By Erica Waasdorp

You probably know by now that I’m a huge planner. Planning is actually part of the fun for me. Every year around this time, my husband and I look at our calendar to see when we can get away in the winter. It’s just a short trip to another part of the country. Typically it’s Arizona, but now that our youngest lives in Las Vegas, it’ll be a Vegas/Arizona combo.

We live in Massachusetts, so it’s crucial to get away from the snow and dreary darkness of winter. Having that little break makes it possible for us to “deal with it”—no matter how many snowstorms we’ll get.

Booking early means that we know we have a seat on the airplane and a place to stay. I feel really good when that trip is planned. Elated, in fact.

Well, giving monthly can give donors that same feeling. They’re giving themselves a little vacation and the happy feeling is the immediate result.

By planning ahead and thinking which organizations they’d like to support with a small monthly gift now allows them to give themselves a little vacation at the year end when life gets busy. They’re feeling good now, and they’ll feel good when they receive their thank-you letters and subsequent warm/fuzzy communications from the organizations they support.

And the nonprofits feel good because they know the funds are coming in, they’ll be able to count on it and start planning their programs around it.

So, just think about that, if you’re still hesitant about asking your donors to give monthly. Think you’re giving them and yourself a little vacation planning happiness. You’ll both be elated!

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Monthly Giving

Erica Waasdorp Author's page

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.