85. Building a Movement of Charitable Living Through Monthly Giving
About this episode
Are you tired of the constant hustle for one-time donations? What if I told you there's a way to create sustainable funding for your nonprofit while building deeper connections with your supporters? I recently had the pleasure of talking to Dana Snyder, author of The Monthly Giving Mastermind, and her insights may completely transform your perspective on monthly giving programs. In this post, I'll share the key takeaways from our conversation and get ready to discover how monthly giving programs can create a movement of charitable living and secure your organization's future.
The Power of Monthly Giving
When Dana introduced the concept of treating monthly giving as a product, I remember thinking it could be a lightbulb for many. She emphasized the importance of creating a dedicated landing page, naming the program, and developing specific language around it. This approach elevates monthly giving from an afterthought to a core part of your fundraising strategy.
I was particularly struck by Dana's five-step framework for implementing a successful monthly giving program:
Create the product
Make it easy
Call in the believers
Make the ask
Share constant joy and gratitude
This structured approach provides a clear roadmap for nonprofits of all sizes to develop and grow their recurring donation programs.
Building a Community of Supporters
One of the most powerful insights from our conversation was the importance of fostering a sense of community among monthly donors. Dana shared examples of organizations that excel at this, like The Hope Booth, which sends handwritten notes and branded sweatshirts to their supporters. These personal touches create a deeper connection between donors and the cause, increasing retention and engagement.
I was inspired by the idea of inviting monthly donors to special events or experiences related to your mission. This not only shows appreciation but also allows supporters to see the impact of their contributions firsthand.
Leveraging Technology and Trends
Dana's insights on the subscription economy and how nonprofits can leverage this trend were eye-opening. She emphasized the importance of having a "recurring first" approach in all communications and fundraising efforts. This shift in mindset aligns with consumer behavior in other areas of life and can lead to more sustainable funding for your organization.
I was particularly intrigued by Dana's suggestions for the future of monthly giving, including the use of AI for donor segmentation and the potential for subscription packages that benefit multiple organizations. These innovative ideas challenge us to think creatively about the future of fundraising.
Building a Sustainable Funding Base and Deepen Donor Engagement
Monthly giving programs have the power to transform your nonprofit's fundraising efforts and create a movement of charitable living among your supporters. By treating recurring donations as a product, fostering a sense of community, and leveraging current trends, you can build a sustainable funding base and deepen donor engagement. I encourage you to implement Dana's five-step framework and explore how monthly giving can revolutionize your organization's approach to fundraising.
Have you had success with monthly giving programs? Share your experiences in the comments below and pass this post along to colleagues who could benefit from these insights.
With boundless gratitude,
Tammy Zonker
Major Gift Expert & Keynote Speaker
Our guest
Dana Snyder, Speaker, Author, and Host of Missions to Movements Podcast
LinkedIn / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / Contact / Website
“I believe that a monthly giving program should be treated as a product. It should have its own landing page. It should have a name for the program. It should have its own language and storytelling around the program.”
Dana Snyder, Speaker, Author, and Host of Missions to Movements Podcast
Resources mentioned in this episode
The Monthly Giving Mastermind: A Framework to Build, Grow & Sustain Subscriptions for Good
by Dana Snyder
Missions to Movements Podcast
Monthly Giving Summit
For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be by Marcus Collins
Good Is the New Cool Guide to Personal Purpose: Designing a Meaningful and Prosperous Career by Afdhel Aziz
Hope Booth
Brown Bagging for Calgary’s Kids (BB4CK)
Movember
Thanks to our friends over at Kindsight for sponsoring this episode of The Intentional Fundraiser podcast.
Rate, review, and follow on Apple Podcasts
“I love Tammy and The Intentional Fundraiser Podcast” 👈 If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This will enable me to reach more fundraisers — just like you — and help them become better fundraisers, faster. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and tap “Write a Review.” Then, let me know what you liked most about this particular episode or how you find my podcast helpful, valuable, insightful, or inspiring in some way.
Subscribe to this podcast
Also, if you haven’t done so already, subscribe to this podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed, and if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Subscribe now!
Connect with Tammy Zonker on social
You can also connect with Tammy on Twitter and Instagram at @tammyzonker, and on LinkedIn.
We can help you take your fundraising results to the next level
To get started, learn more about joining our exclusive Transformers Community.