Monthly Giving
Monthly giving is a recurring donation model where donors authorize automatic monthly contributions, providing nonprofits with predictable, sustained revenue.
Monthly giving (also called sustainer giving or recurring giving) is a donation model where supporters authorize automatic monthly contributions via credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. The donor gives a fixed amount each month until they choose to stop.
Why It Matters for Fundraising
Monthly donors are the most valuable donors a nonprofit can have. They give 4-5 times more annually than one-time donors, have retention rates above 90% (compared to 45% for one-time donors), and require less solicitation effort after the initial sign-up. Monthly giving also provides predictable cash flow that makes budgeting and planning easier. Even small monthly amounts — $10, $25, $50 — add up significantly over the course of a year and a donor's lifetime.
Building a Monthly Giving Program
Successful programs give the monthly option prominent placement on donation pages, create a named community for monthly givers (a sustainer society), offer flexible amount options, make it easy to start and modify, and provide regular impact updates showing what monthly gifts accomplish. The best programs make monthly donors feel like insiders, not just automatic payments.