5 easy ways to get more monthly donors

Monthly donors are a big deal for fundraisers. They are many times more valuable than “episodic” donors: They give 12 times a year, instead of the usual 1-3. And their retention is twice as high (or more). That’s more revenue this year and more revenue in future years.

Smart fundraisers are all over monthly giving. Here are 5 Ideas to Gain Donor Loyalty With Sustainer Giving in 2025 from Erica Waasdorp’s A Direct Solution blog:

1. Incorporate Monthly Giving in Your Gift Catalog. Gift catalogs are effective fundraising channels for many organization. Make sure at least one of your “gifts” is something ongoing that needs monthly donations.
2. Include an Invite for Monthly Giving in Your Year-End Recap. Some organizations send out a special report at the end of the year that reviews the things the donor helped make possible. Whether you do this at year-end or not, you should be telling donors these things … include an ask for monthly giving. When donors are feeling good about what they’ve done that they’ll be most open to considering monthly giving.
3. Request to Keep the Great Work Going. After someone gives a “one-time” gift, let them know they can keep the work they value going strong by giving monthly. This fits into their world — they were moved to give to make something happen. They may well be moved to keep making it happen.
4. Add a Monthly Giving Button to Your Emails. Easy. Just add a button to your emails that links directly to your monthly giving page.
5. Create a Monthly Gift Option in Your Gift Arrays. Along with your asks of various amounts, include a choice to give monthly. At any given time, some people are open to this kind of support. Be there for them when that happens.