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This podcast is brought to you by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here.

Inside the Mastermind: How 5 Nonprofits Launched Monthly Giving Programs

Launching a monthly giving program isn’t just about technology, it’s about courage, community, and clear messaging.

You’ll hear from five incredible nonprofit leaders, The Campers, The Plenty, The Circle, The Cultivators, and The Advocates, who share candid insights about launching their recurring giving programs.

Whether you’re just dreaming about starting one or knee-deep in donor data, this episode is packed with inspiration and tactical takeaways.

Top Takeaways from the Mastermind Graduates

1. Start Small, Think Big

Cathy from Camp Cocker Rescue came into the mastermind with nearly 500 recurring donors and is dreaming of doubling that in the next 6–8 months. Her mindset shift? Recognizing her breed-specific rescue niche isn’t a limitation, it’s her superpower.

“I felt like, how dare I ask people to give monthly? But I’ve learned- asking is giving people the opportunity to support what they love.” – Cathy

2. Pre-Launch Support

Ella’s organization, Community Mindfulness Project, realized the importance of dedicated time and peer support to turn ideas into action. She’s now focused on personalized outreach, donor retention, and storytelling.

“It felt so big and scary, but this group made it all feel possible. We did it. Together.” – Ella

3. Recurring Giving Is About Relationships

Mark from The Picnic Project built his program to $1,000/month from scratch, with a goal to double it. But for him, success isn’t just about numbers, it’s about building a community.

He’s crafting segmented email series, creating personal donor journeys, and even applying for LinkedIn’s Sales Navigator to grow visibility.

“It forced me to prioritize something I knew mattered. Now I actually have a monthly giving program!” – Mark

4. From Zero to Launch

The team behind The Advocates didn’t have a monthly giving program before. Now, they have a branded landing page, a clear “why,” and a strategy for Facebook ads, board engagement, and donor education.

They’re tackling fear of the ask and building confidence – one email, one donor, one story at a time.

“This was a whole new world. But now we understand how powerful and possible recurring giving really is.” – Kimberly 

5. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask

Casey’s team at Green Arrow Co-Lab built their page, ran warm Facebook ads, and, before officially launching, already brought in 2 new donors at $50/each. Her plan: activate the board, launch PR, and send personalized LinkedIn posts.

“The biggest gift? The individualized support and DONE-FOR-YOU tools that saved us hours of time.” – Casey

Action Steps

If you’re working on your nonprofit’s monthly giving strategy, here are a few low-lift, high-impact ideas from the mastermind:

• Ask your current donors to invite a friend. A simple email can spark major growth.

• Segment your emails. Personal touches drive engagement.

• Reframe your mindset. Asking isn’t annoying, it’s empowering.

• Use automation tools like Flodesk or Fundraise Up to streamline and save time.

• Celebrate every milestone. It does not matter how small.

Resources & Links

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here.

Check out the featured giving programs from this episode: The Campers, The Plenty, The Circle, The Cultivators, and The Advocates

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. 3 spots are open, and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

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