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FEB 26 -27

My 5-Step Framework to Build a Monthly Giving Program: Steps 1 & 2

Reading Time: 4 minutes

LISTEN ON APPLE | LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

What makes a monthly giving program successful? Today, I’m giving you a sneak peek into the first two crucial steps from my 5-step framework (which will be featured in even more detail in my book that comes out in September!) Whether you are just starting OR looking to refresh or audit your current program, this episode is packed with insights and practical tips to get you on the right track.

I’m diving into the key questions you should ask around the why and structure of your program, what it means to create a “herd mentality”, and how to craft an irresistible identity that resonates with your mission and values. 

You’ll also learn how to avoid gift abandonment by creating highly convertible, seamless, intuitive landing pages. Even a compelling headline, an uplifting image, and the strategic use of social proof will inspire action on your “Donate Now” button.

If growing your monthly giving is a priority this year, apply NOW for my Monthly Giving Mastermind that starts in July.

Resources & Links

Can we meet in Nashville? The 8th annual Raise fundraising conference, hosted by OneCause, will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville, TN September 9-10, 2024 Use code MISSIONS200 to receive $200 off registration, Register: https://bit.ly/4bNqihi

Applications are open for Round 5 of my Monthly Giving Mastermind that will start in July! We’ve launched 15 programs from ALL over the country, are you next? Head to positiveequation.com/mastermind to apply!

Join The Sustainers, my Slack community for nonprofit professionals growing and scaling a recurring giving program.

Stuck on what to name your monthly giving program? Click here for my brainstorm guide: https://positiveequation.com/name or tune in to Episode 107: How to Name a Monthly Giving Program.

Want to make Missions to Movements even better? Take a screenshot of this episode and share it on Instagram. Be sure to tag @positivequation so I can connect with you. 

Episode Summary

Step 1, Create the Product: Your monthly giving program is a product of your nonprofit organization

First, think about the last time you made a purchase. It’s likely that a whole team discussed market analysis. They probably asked why it had to be this color, this name, the exact price, and where and how it would need to be marketed. There are hundreds of decisions that come together when creating a product for consumers.

Secondly, remember that your monthly giving program is a product – it is not just a checkbox on a donation form. It is a unique product that your organization is offering to supporters. Just like any new product, it needs a solid marketing strategy, a solid budget, and a team to promote it.

3 Key Questions to Ask While Creating Your Monthly Giving Program

When it comes to creating your monthly giving product, there are a few key questions you need to ask right at the beginning:

  • What is the reason for your product to exist?
  • What is the impact it is intended to have?
  • What structure of a recurring donor program aligns with the mission and values of your organization?

Once you have answered these questions, it’s time to create the identity of your monthly giving program.

How to Name Your Monthly Giving Program

Naming your monthly giving program is a crucial step. A name gives your monthly giving program an identity. It helps build a brand around it and create engaging marketing materials. Ideally, the name should reflect your organization’s mission and values, evoke a sense of belonging and community, and be easy to pronounce and spell.

For more tips on how to name your monthly giving program, you can listen to episode 107 of the Missions to Movement podcast.

You can also download my brainstorm guide to help you name your monthly giving program.

Step 2, Make it Easy: Creating easy and accessible user experience for your monthly giving donors

In a world where online shopping and one-click purchases are the norm, our donation processes need to keep up. We, as consumers, expect a seamless and intuitive experience. That should mirror exactly what happens when we go to make a gift.

This step is all about simplifying the donation process for your supporters and creating a professional, user-friendly website that’s going to build trust. It should make donors feel confident and excited to support your cause. This is the crucial moment where the act of someone saying “I’m in” takes place.

If our donation process is complicated or confusing, that will lead to either frustration or abandonment of the gift. We want the donation process to be simple.

I’ve had a lot of conversations with graphic designers who struggle sometimes of proving their ROI, or the return on the investment of good branding. I can tell you from many conversations with organizations it is invaluable. I can tell you from my own company, people go to my website and they love it. A well-designed website and social media presence is your storefront.

3 Keys to Creating an Accessible Experience for Monthly Donors

    • Use Microsoft Clarity to analyze the user experience. This is a free tool you can embed into the backend of your website to view heat maps of where users tend to drop off the page while scrolling.
    • Display the most crucial information first. Provide all of the necessary information for donors with a form or a button to take action right at the top of your page.
    • Show social proof. Some of the strongest persuasion comes from our peers. FOMO, or fear of missing out, is powerful when it comes to persuading potential donors. This could be by creating a sense of urgency such as, “Be one of the first 50 founding members,” or by having time-sensitive matching opportunities.

How do you magnetically attract your monthly donors?

In this episode, I am diving into step three of my Monthly Giving Framework, which is all about calling in your believers.

We’ll discuss the essence of crafting a giving program with inclusive and accessible copy, how to find aligned partners that will spread the word, and the importance of a lead generation strategy that’s “always on.”

Get ready to scribble down some serious strategies to help you generate a sense of belonging, identity, community, and connection, with examples from Miry’s List and Movember.

By embracing the power of storytelling and clear messaging, we can nurture donors into a joyful, grateful community that’s here to stay.

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