10 Quick Tips to Create a Great Monthly Giving Program

You're probably missing out if your nonprofit isn't already using a monthly giving program. Donors who donate monthly tend to stick around and give more over time. 

In fact, the average recurring donor gives about $949.19 each year, breaking down to roughly $79.10 per month. That steady support means your nonprofit can plan better and worry less about seasonal ups and downs. 

Ready to start or improve your monthly charity donation program? Here are some quick tips to help you set it up, keep your donors happy, and grow that dependable support your organization can count on.

1. Keep Sign-Up Easy and Fast

People are more likely to join your monthly giving program if the process is quick and hassle-free. A long or confusing sign-up form can turn potential donors away. 

The goal is to make it as easy as possible so they can commit in just a few clicks.

Here’s how to simplify the process:

• Use a short donation form – Only ask for the essentials: name, email, and payment details. Too many fields can cause donors to give up halfway.
• Offer multiple payment options – Accept credit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers so donors can choose what works best for them.
• Make forms mobile-friendly – Many donors will sign up using their phones, so the form should load quickly and be easy to fill out on a small screen.

Some of the best monthly giving programs keep things simple by focusing on ease and flexibility. The smoother the sign-up experience, the more people will commit to supporting your cause every month.

2. Highlight the Impact of Monthly Giving

Donors want to know that their monthly support is doing more than just sitting in a general fund. 

They need to see the real impact of their contributions. If people feel connected to the difference they’re making, they’ll stay committed to your monthly donor program for the long run.

One of the best ways to do this is to make the impact visible:

• Tell real stories – Introduce a family, student, or community member who benefits from ongoing support. A short story makes the donation feel personal.
• Show, don’t just tell – Use photos, videos, or infographics to make the results of monthly giving easy to understand.
• Keep donors updated – Send a short email or social media post now and then to let them know what their recurring gifts have achieved.

A clear example can make all the difference. Instead of saying, “Your donation helps children,” say, “Your $25 monthly donation provides school supplies for 5 kids.” That kind of detail makes a recurring giving program feel less like a transaction and more like a real impact.

3. Offer Appealing Donor Incentives

Giving regularly should feel rewarding. While donors join a monthly giving program to support a cause, a little appreciation can keep them engaged in the long run. 

Offer simple incentives to turn one-time givers into long-term supporters.

What works best? It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Here are some ways to show donors they matter:

• Exclusive updates – Share impact reports or behind-the-scenes content just for monthly donors.
• Special recognition – List their names in a donor appreciation section on your website or social media.
• Personalized thank-yous – A handwritten note or short video message from your team can make a difference.
• Early access – Give them first looks at new projects or upcoming events.
• Special newsletters – Send stories and updates specifically for monthly donors.
• Donor badges – Offer digital badges or small tokens of appreciation to recognize their commitment.

To strengthen a donor's commitment, make them feel like part of an inner circle. 

Read our guide on What a Recurring Donation Is to find out everything.

4. Set Up Automatic Reminders and Updates

Once donors join your recurring giving program, keeping them engaged is just as important as getting them to sign up. A simple way to do that is by setting up automatic reminders and updates so they always feel connected to your cause.

Here’s how to keep communication easy and consistent:

• Send an automated thank-you email – Each time a donation is processed, make sure donors get a quick email showing appreciation. A short message can remind them that their support is making a difference.
• Provide regular updates – Monthly or quarterly emails with success stories, impact reports, or photos help donors see where their contributions go.

Keeping donors informed and appreciated helps build long-term trust. Knowing their contributions are making a real impact will make them more likely to stay committed.

5. Provide Flexibility and Easy Control

Nobody likes feeling locked into something. If your monthly giving program makes it hard for donors to manage their contributions, they might cancel altogether. Giving should be easy, not a commitment that feels restrictive.

Think of it like a streaming subscription—people stay subscribed when they have the freedom to make changes as needed. Your donors should have that same flexibility. Here’s what helps:

• Easy payment updates – Let donors change their credit card or bank details without having to call or email support.
• Adjustable donation amounts – Allow donors to increase, decrease, or modify their monthly gift at any time.
• Simple pause or cancel options – A hassle-free way to take a break builds trust and reduces frustration.
• Access to giving history – Providing a clear record of donations makes tax season easier for donors.

When donors feel in control, they’re more likely to stick around. The more transparency and flexibility you offer, the stronger your long-term donor relationships will be.

6. Actively Promote Monthly Giving Everywhere

If people don’t know about your monthly donor program, they won’t sign up. It’s that simple. 

Regular giving must be front and center in all your communications—not just a hidden option on your donation page.

Make sure monthly giving is visible across multiple channels:

• Website – Add a clear call-to-action like, “Join our monthly giving program and make a lasting impact.” Place it on your homepage and donation page so visitors see it right away.
• Social Media – Share stories and graphics that show how monthly donations make a difference. A post like “$10 a month provides meals for a family in need—join today,” can encourage sign-ups.
• Newsletters – Include a section in every email promoting the benefits of recurring donations.
• Fundraising Campaigns – During major fundraising events, highlight monthly giving as a sustainable way to support your mission beyond one-time gifts.

The more places you mention it, the more donors will see it as a natural choice. Some of the best monthly giving programs succeed because they make recurring donations an easy, everyday option for supporters.

7. Educate About Monthly Giving

Many donors don’t realize how powerful monthly giving can be. They may think one-time gifts are the best way to help simply because no one has explained the benefits of joining a monthly giving program. 

Your nonprofit needs to make it clear why recurring donations matter and how they work.

Here’s how to educate donors about monthly giving:

• Use real examples – Show how a small monthly gift adds up. For example, “A $15 monthly donation provides meals for a family every week.”
• Create a simple explainer page – Dedicate a section on your website to answer common questions about recurring giving.
• Share impact updates – Use emails, newsletters, and social media to highlight how monthly donors make a lasting difference.
• Host a quick info session – A short video or live Q&A can help clear up any confusion about how the program works.
• Include it in donor conversations – Train your team and volunteers to mention monthly giving when speaking with supporters.

The goal is to make monthly giving feel natural and easy. The more informed your donors are, the more likely they are to commit to ongoing support.

8. Build a Strong Case

Donors hear a lot of appeals, so your monthly giving program needs a strong, clear reason for them to commit. Instead of just asking for ongoing support, show them why it matters in a way that sticks.

Think about what makes monthly giving stand out from other ways to give. Is it the ability to provide long-term help? The convenience? The deeper connection to the cause? 

Find the strongest angle for your organization and center your messaging around it.

A few ways to build your case:

• Tie it to urgency – “One-time gifts help today, but monthly giving ensures we can keep making an impact next month, next year, and beyond.”
• Compare it to everyday spending – “For less than the cost of a streaming subscription, you can change a life every month.”
• Make donors part of the solution – “Becoming a monthly donor means you’re not just giving—you’re part of a team creating real change.”

Instead of focusing on why monthly giving helps your nonprofit, focus on why it benefits the donor. 

9. Regularly Evaluate and Improve the Program

A recurring giving program isn’t something you set up once and forget. To keep donors engaged and ensure long-term success, you need to check in regularly and see what’s working and what’s not.

One of the best ways to do this is by listening to your donors. Are they happy with the experience? Do they feel connected to the cause? Gathering feedback can help you improve their giving journey.

Here’s how to keep your program fresh and donor-friendly:

• Send short surveys – Ask donors about their experience with sign-up, communication, and overall satisfaction. Keep it brief so they’re more likely to respond.
• Use quick polls – Include a one-question poll in emails or social media to check donor interest in updates, incentives, or new giving options.
• Track donation trends – Look at retention rates, donation increases, and cancellations to spot patterns and make improvements.
• Act on feedback – If donors say they want fewer emails, adjust your messaging. If they’d like more impact updates, send them.

The best monthly giving programs evolve based on donor needs. A little evaluation effort can go a long way in keeping donors engaged and committed for the long term.

10. Use BetterWorld to Manage Your Monthly Giving Program Easily

Why not use an online platform for your monthly giving program where you keep all the funds you raise? Plus, everything is automated—from payment collection to receipts.

The BetterWorld Online Donation Platform lets you do all that and more without any hassle. Over 100,000 nonprofits trust our services, and 97% say they will use BetterWorld again!

BetterWorld also offers Modern, Free Fundraising Tools for Nonprofits and Online Donation Forms with built-in recurring giving prompts.

Sign up today and make your monthly giving program easier than ever!