Nonprofits work hard to make a lasting impact, but financial sustainability can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster. Enter recurring donations - a nonprofit’s best-kept secret for predictable revenue, deeper donor relationships, and long-term impact.
If your organization isn’t actively inviting donors to become monthly givers, it’s time to change that! And don’t worry, it’s easier than you think.
Thanks to the rise of the subscription economy (think Netflix, Spotify, and household products), donors are already comfortable with automatic monthly payments. That means asking for sustainable giving isn’t a big stretch - it’s a natural fit!
How to Encourage Recurring Giving 💡
Ready to start building a strong base of monthly donors? Here are three simple, effective ways to make recurring donations a reality for your nonprofit:
1. Create a Dedicated Landing Page for Recurring Donors 🌍
When you ask donors to commit to sustained giving, give them a space that speaks directly to them. A landing page focused solely on monthly donations helps explain the impact of consistent giving, showcases donor testimonials, and makes signing up seamless. Keep it clear, compelling, and full of mission-driven storytelling!
Embed your free Pledge donation form on the page to capture donors when they feel inspired to give - or customize a Pledge fundraiser page to speak directly to your recurring giving program, as done here by Miry's List for their Welcomer's Circle! You can easily add updates to the page that appear in the Updates feed, which keeps donors informed & inspired to give more.
Share exclusive offers with your recurring donors, such as special gifts, meet & greets with your staff, and other forms of engagement that help build community around your mission.
2. Customize Your Pledge Donation Form 🛠️
With Pledge, you can easily customize your donation form to highlight recurring giving. Offer suggested donation amounts that feel approachable ($5, $15, $30) and help donors see how their small contributions add up over time. A $10 monthly donation sounds manageable - but over a year, that’s $120 of impact!
With Pledge, you can also customize the cadence of recurring donations - choose from monthly, quarterly, or annual giving options.
3. Build a Recurring Donor Email Sequence 📩
Don’t just get donors to sign up - nurture them! Set up an automated email sequence that:
- Thanks them immediately for their commitment 🙌
- Shares impact updates on how their recurring gift is making a difference 💖
- Builds community by featuring stories from other recurring donors 🌟
- Offers easy ways to engage, like exclusive behind-the-scenes content or special appreciation events 🎥
Why Recurring Donations Are an Easier Ask Than You Think 🤔
Many nonprofits assume donors will hesitate to commit to ongoing gifts, but the reality is quite the opposite! Here’s why:
✅ Subscription Culture Is Second Nature - People are used to autopayments for entertainment, food, and fitness - why not philanthropy?
✅ Micro-Giving Feels Manageable - A $25 one-time gift might feel like a big ask, but $5/month? Totally doable! 💸
✅ Fosters a Deeper Connection - Recurring donors feel like true partners in your mission rather than one-time supporters. 🤝
Make Recurring Giving a No-Brainer with Pledge 🚀
At Pledge, we make it effortless for nonprofits to embrace sustainable fundraising with built-in recurring donation options. Whether you’re launching your first monthly donor program or optimizing an existing one, we’re here to help you create a thriving community of sustaining supporters. 💜
Start today in Q1 - because your nonprofit (and your mission) deserves reliable support all year long!
Ready to set up recurring donations? Get started with Pledge now!
🙋♀️Need Help?
Have questions or need assistance with your recurring giving ideas? Contact us here. Our team is ready to support you every step of the way and convert your one-time donors into recurring donors for 2025 & beyond!