Every donation counts—but some gifts go further. While one-time donations are essential, recurring or monthly gifts offer something more: stability. They help your organization respond swiftly in times of crisis, sustain long-term programming, and plan ahead with confidence.

In short, monthly giving isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a must for long-term impact.   Here are  7 proven strategies for converting one-time donors into recurring supporters.

Why Is Recurring or Monthly  Giving a Game Changer for Nonprofits?

Let’s start with the why.

Predictable Revenue Stream

Monthly gifts offer your organization a dependable revenue base. That predictability makes it easier to budget and forecast. Whether you're running programs, paying staff, or launching new initiatives, knowing how much funding you’ll have each month helps you operate more strategically.

Stronger Donor Relationships

Monthly donors tend to stick around longer. Because they give more frequently, they’re often more engaged—and over time, their cumulative contributions surpass that of many one-time donors. With each monthly interaction, your organization has another chance to say thank you, share impact stories, and build loyalty.

Better Crisis Response

In times of emergency, nonprofits often scramble for support. With a solid base of monthly givers, you're less vulnerable to the unpredictable nature of crisis fundraising. That financial cushion can be the difference between reacting and responding effectively.

How Do Nonprofits Convert One-Time Donors into Monthly Givers?

It turns out timing is everything.

The ideal moment to encourage recurring giving is right when someone donates for the first time. They’re already inspired. They believe in your cause. That’s your chance to build on that emotion and invite them into a deeper, longer-term relationship.

Here’s how:

1. Make Monthly Giving the Default Option

On your donation form, position “monthly” as the default choice, not a secondary one. Many donors may not even realize recurring giving is possible. But when it’s offered as the top option—especially if it's pre-selected—more people will consider it.

“Make monthly giving the first option versus a one-time gift as the first option,” said Jenn Gaetano, nonprofit fundraising  expert. “That’s an easy way to make it visible and maybe make them realize they can even do that.”

 

2. Add Suggested Monthly Amounts + Impact Statements

Guide your donors with pre-set monthly giving tiers. Better yet, connect those tiers to tangible impact. Instead of just offering “$10/month,” say “$10/month provides clean water to one family for a week.” When people can visualize the result of their generosity, they’re more likely to commit.

3. Use Smart Email Follow-Ups

If someone gives a one-time donation, follow up with a personalized email or SMS within 48 hours. Thank them, and share how recurring support sustains your work, ideally through evocative videos and imagery.  Better yet, automate this process with your donation or CRM platform to keep it timely and consistent.

4. Offer Multiple  Payment Options

Remove as many barriers as possible. Support multiple methods for recurring donations—credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Make sure the process works on mobile, too. Frictionless giving means more conversions.

5. Provide Recognition + Perks

Even small gestures go a long way. Monthly givers want to feel appreciated. Offer exclusive content, quarterly updates, or a welcome kit. Or simply call them your “impact partners” to create a sense of identity and belonging.

6. Leverage Your Fundraising Platform

If you’re using a platform like FrontStream, you can easily build recurring donation options directly into your donor journey. With tools to automate follow-up, segment donor lists, and personalize campaigns, your technology can do the heavy lifting—leaving your team free to focus on mission.

7. Focus on Donor Behavior, Not Just Amounts

It’s easy to focus on big donors—but recurring gifts from smaller donors often add up to more over time. A $15/month donor gives $180/year. Multiply that by 100 people and you’re looking at $18,000 of predictable income—without ever running another campaign.

And remember, monthly givers aren’t necessarily wealthy. They’re committed. Treat them like the lifeblood of your organization—because they are.

Final Thoughts

Monthly giving programs don’t just raise more money—they raise better money: sustainable, reliable, and mission-aligned. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to optimize an existing program, the key is to make recurring support easy, visible, and meaningful.

When someone donates for the first time, don’t just say thank you—invite them to stay.

Interested in even more ways  to increase monthly giving? Watch the webcast 👉 From First Gift to Forever: 16 Strategies to Grow Recurring Donors