S1:E6 | Monthly Giving 101: How to Start and Scale Your Program Successfully

If you’re ready to enhance your fundraising strategy, follow The Jeremy Haselwood Show and connect with Jeremy on Instagram @jeremy.haselwood or LinkedIn.

Additional Resources:

• Explore Jeremy’s book, The Digital Fundraising Blueprint on Amazon, for in-depth digital fundraising strategies.
• Visit JeremyHaselwood.com for tools and resources to elevate your nonprofit’s efforts.
• Take Jeremy's online courses, The Digital Fundraising Blueprint (based on the book), The Giving Tuesday Blueprint, or the 21 Day Digital Fundraising Quick Start.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Jeremy dives into one of the most powerful strategies for nonprofit fundraising: monthly giving programs. From setting up a program to retaining and engaging monthly donors, Jeremy provides a comprehensive framework to help nonprofits build stable revenue streams and deepen relationships with donors. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing program, this episode is packed with actionable insights and best practices to take your monthly giving strategy to the next level.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why Monthly Giving Matters:

   • Provides a predictable revenue stream for nonprofits, easing financial planning and resource allocation.
   • Increases donor retention rates and builds stronger long-term relationships.

2. Steps to Build a Monthly Giving Program:

   • Develop a Value Proposition: Craft compelling messaging that highlights the impact of monthly contributions.
   • Create a Unique Brand: Establish a name, logo, and identity for your monthly giving community.
   • Define Giving Levels: Offer tiered options with corresponding donor benefits.

3. Six Approaches to Messaging:

   • Impact-driven storytelling.
   • Recognizing donors as part of a meaningful community.
   • Highlighting the convenience of automated giving.
   • Scaling impact with clear dollar-to-impact statements.
   • Offering exclusive benefits.
   • Creating urgency with emotional appeals.

4. Retaining and Engaging Monthly Donors:

   • Welcome and acknowledge donors immediately.
   • Build emotional ties through personalized updates and storytelling.
   • Offer flexibility for upgrades, pauses, and payment options.
   • Provide clear transparency on how funds are used.

5. Best Practices:

   • Regularly test and refine your strategies to meet donor expectations.
   • Use multiple touchpoints (email, social media, direct mail) to keep donors engaged.
   • Encourage long-term relationships through major gifts, planned giving, or volunteer opportunities.

Notable Quotes:

• “A successful monthly giving program transforms your organization by providing stability and continuous impact.”
• “Recurring donors are not just financial supporters—they’re emotionally invested in your mission.”