Why Every Faith-Based Nonprofit Needs a Monthly Giving Program

On a recent episode of the Nonprofit Missionary Podcast, I spoke with nonprofit consultant Katherine Lacefield about one of her specialties: building sustainable monthly giving programs. With over 20 years of nonprofit experience, Katherine brings both passion and practical strategies to help organizations strengthen their fundraising.

In this post, I’ll summarize some of Katherine’s key insights and actionable steps for starting or improving a monthly giving program in your nonprofit.

Why Monthly Giving Matters

Many nonprofit leaders feel uncomfortable asking for money. Katherine reframes this fear:

“We’re not asking for charity—we’re inviting people to invest in the future they want to see.”

Monthly giving provides several advantages:

• Higher giving levels – Monthly donors typically give two to five times more annually than one-time donors.

• Longer retention – Monthly donors stay committed for an average of eight years, compared to less than two for one-time givers.

• Less solicitation required – With recurring gifts, nonprofits can focus less on repeated fundraising appeals and more on their mission.

For faith-based organizations, monthly giving aligns well with the idea of ongoing stewardship and partnership in building a better world.

How to Launch a Monthly Giving Program

A strong program is more than a toggle button on your donation page. Katherine shared practical steps to build something meaningful:

1. Know Your Donors

Develop donor personas by studying who already supports your work. Consider:

• Age, location, and demographics

• Interests that connect with your mission

• Giving patterns and preferred communication channels

If you’re just starting out, send surveys or analyze social media and website analytics to identify trends.

2. Create a Program Identity

Donors are more likely to join when they feel invited into something special. Instead of simply offering “monthly giving,” give your program a name and personality. This creates a sense of belonging to an exclusive community.

3. Tailor Messaging

Different audiences respond to different aspects of your mission. For example, one supporter may be motivated by your faith-based values, while another is drawn to your work in education or homelessness. Adjust your messaging to highlight the parts of your mission that resonate most.

Stewardship: Keeping Monthly Donors Engaged

Securing a donor is only the first step. Stewardship—how you thank, communicate, and engage—is critical for long-term success. Katherine offered several ideas:

• Welcome series: Send automated emails that thank donors, share impact, and invite conversation.

• Personal touches: A quick phone call, personalized email, or even a voice message can make donors feel seen and valued.

• Segmented communication: Acknowledge monthly donors specifically in newsletters or updates. Small details like, “Thanks to our monthly supporters, we were able to…” go a long way.

• Impact updates: Use monthly donation receipts to include a story of impact or progress.

• Milestone celebrations: Recognize anniversaries or donor achievements (“You’ve been with us for 12 months—thank you!”).

The key is consistency and personalization. Donors should feel like part of your mission family, not just a line in your database.

Common Barriers—and How to Overcome Them

1. Technology limitations: Some donation platforms make it difficult to customize monthly giving pages. Katherine recommends creating a separate page dedicated to monthly giving, with simple options and no extra friction.

2. Mindset: Leaders often worry about “asking too much.” Instead, view monthly giving as an invitation into a community, not just a financial transaction.

Recommended tools:

• Donorbox – Simple, affordable, and international-friendly, with CRM and mailing integrations.

• DonorDock – Great for U.S.-based organizations, with strong stewardship reminders and donor engagement features.

Final Takeaway

Monthly giving is not just a fundraising tactic—it’s a sustainability strategy. By building a program that feels personal, consistent, and mission-driven, nonprofits can secure long-term support and free up energy to focus on the work that truly matters.

As Katherine reminded us, “It’s not about the money—it’s about building a community that invests in solutions.”

If you’d like to learn more from Katherine, connect with her on LinkedIn or check out her podcast, Just Because Podcast.