Missions to Movements

In this episode, Dana explores the gap between knowing about monthly giving and actually implementing it. She shares practical strategies from a recent mastermind call, emphasizing the importance of planning, community, and taking action to build sustainable revenue streams for nonprofits.

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Chapters
00:00 The Importance of Monthly Giving
02:08 Bridging the Gap: From Knowledge to Action
06:46 Strategies for Successful Monthly Giving
11:33 Building Community and Accountability
14:21 Taking Action: Making Monthly Giving a Priority

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

In a world where nonprofits are competing with overcrowded inboxes, direct mail is experiencing a comeback. And if your direct mail looks the same as everyone else’s, there’s a good chance it’s heading straight for the recycling bin.

Brandon Gaty and Cait Connolly work at LettrLabs and help brands create hyper-personalized donor experiences with robotics-powered handwritten mail. This makes it possible to personalize EVERY piece of mail at scale!

So today, we are unpacking how to spark joy in someone’s mailbox, how segmentation and automation can dramatically improve ROI, where you might be overspending, and why focusing on donor retention and upgrades before acquisition can unlock faster results

Resources & Links

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

Imagine if you ask someone to become a monthly donor for just $10, and they give more than triple that?

It's no secret that talking about monthly giving strategies and case studies is my jam, so I brought on Raegan Mach to break down Urban Bridge’s “10 for 10” campaign.

Their goal? 25 new donors at $10/month to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. In just 2.5 months, they surpassed it!

You’ll hear how they drove 15 new donors in the first 48 hours with a CEO-led launch video, strategic campaign champions, and consistent messaging across email and social, and why LinkedIn turned out to be a surprisingly powerful conversion channel.

If you’ve been thinking about launching or prioritizing monthly giving, this is a practical, replicable case study you won’t want to miss.

Resources & Links

Connect with Raegan on LinkedIn and Instagram and learn more about Urban Bridge on their website. Follow Urban Bridge at @urbanbridgenow on Instagram.

Raegan uses FundraiseUp to improve their donor experience.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

It’s officially Monthly Giving Summit Day!!!  This short episode is your invitation to join us and start building.

In this episode, Dana shares what’s happening at the Monthly Giving Summit and why this isn’t just another virtual event - it’s a room full of builders focused on sustainability, recurring revenue, and cultivating believers (not just donors).

You’ll get a preview of what attendees are learning, including:

• How The Trevor Project acquired new monthly donors at scale in just two weeks
• How Interfaith Sanctuary turned monthly donors into advocates who influenced local legislation
• How Letters from a Pre-Scientist built an automated micro-giving system with 500+ volunteer-supporters
• How Dion’s Chicago Dream leveraged thought leadership to amplify mission visibility (yes, all the way to national TV)

From SMS to innovative direct mail to growth and retention planning, this summit is focused on execution — not theory.

But that’s not all.

Dana also announces the official launch of The Monthly Giving Builder — an interactive tool built from her five-step framework designed to help small and mid-sized nonprofits forecast revenue, craft messaging, build growth and retention plans, and launch sustainable monthly giving programs without a five-figure mastermind investment.

And finally, she shares details about the second annual Monthly Giving Retreat at Serenbe, GA, a transformational in-person experience May 6-8 for women leaders ready to step away from the noise and design recurring revenue with clarity and intention.

If you’re tired of living campaign to campaign and ready to build something that lasts, this episode is your invitation.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

If your board can’t clearly articulate what you do in one sentence, your donors won’t either.

Brandy Walker is joining me to unpack why nonprofit leaders must get ruthlessly clear on the ONE thing their organization does exceptionally well. Not the 20 programs, not the calendar of activities, but the core impact.

Brandy shares why embracing the “messy middle” builds trust, how to use lived experience as influence, and the one question that can completely reshape your growth trajectory: What do you want to be known for?

P.S. We are in the final countdown to the FREE Monthly Giving Summit. Join me on February 25th-26th to master monthly giving.

Resources & Links

Connect with Brandy on LinkedIn, learn more about Brand Worthy Solutions, and tune in to her podcast, Brandy Was Here.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

We close our 2026 monthly giving predictions with a bold call: move donor communities into real life to deepen belonging, retention, and advocacy. 

Sincere gatherings beat big productions when donors feel trusted, included, and invited to co-create.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

If you’ve ever sat at a board meeting thinking “we can't keep doing fundraising like this!” then it might be time to start championing monthly giving – which is one of the most practical shifts a nonprofit can make.

Board strategist Christal M. Cherry and I are getting specific about what staff should bring to the boardroom, how to pilot change without triggering resistance, and how dashboards and donor milestones help boards actually see the impact of recurring giving. That level of predictability can fundamentally shift how your nonprofit plans, invests, and leads with confidence.

P.S. We are in the final countdown to the FREE Monthly Giving Summit. Join me on February 25th-26th to master monthly giving.

Resources & Links

Connect with Christal on LinkedIn, tune in to The Board Shake-Up podcast, and learn more about The Board Pro.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

The neat donor funnel sounds good in slides, but it doesn’t match how people actually decide to give. 

We dig into the real path supporters take today—bouncing from reels to Google to LinkedIn to your site—and why the strongest retention work happens long before the first dollar shows up. 

Instead of chasing one perfect subject line or a last-minute match, we focus on what actually converts: consistency, clarity, and leadership that lowers the emotional risk of giving.

You’ll hear how to spot and support the messy, multi-touch donor journey without getting lost in attribution rabbit holes. We unpack the limits of tracking tools and UTMs, then pivot to what you can control every day: narrative consistency across your website, social bios, and emails; visible leaders who show context and follow-through; and storytelling that explains the why, not just the need. 

The goal is simple but powerful—help donors predict you. Predictability builds safety, and safety powers renewal.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

A lot of movement builders might be thinking, who actually gets to be considered “legit”?

We are celebrating Black History Month, and in a very short amount of time, BackBlack has built massive momentum, which is why I had to have one of my favorite repeat guests back on the show, Floyd Jones.

This incredible case study unravels how they’ve helped move nearly $4 million to Black-led organizations, built a directory of close to 2,000 organizations, and driven tens of thousands of people to take action.

We also talk about the structural realities many Black-led organizations face: 44% have no full-time staff, and most operate on less than $30,000 a year. The real question this episode raises is what becomes POSSIBLE when trust, proximity, and community are treated as legitimate infrastructure?!

Resources & Links

Connect with Floyd on LinkedIn, sign up for his newsletter, and learn more about BackBlack on their website.

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...

Quiet signals decide retention long before a donor hits “cancel.” 

We explore how to turn early indicators—failed payments, skipped emails, reduced engagement—into timely, human responses that save relationships and revenue. 

Drawing on the proven playbook of subscription businesses, we unpack how predictive insights can flag risk before supporters drift away and how small teams can deploy light-touch interventions that feel like care, not automation.

You’ll hear why the best results come from respectful timing and segmentation based on behavior, not guesswork. The goal isn’t to send more messages; it’s to send the right message at the right moment, in language that protects dignity and preserves trust.

Throughout, we reframe AI as a second set of eyes—a smoke detector that notices patterns your team can’t watch 24/7. It doesn’t replace stewardship; it points you to where care is needed so real people can do what they do best. 

As attention becomes the scarcest resource, the organizations that win won’t be the loudest. They’ll be the ones who notice first and respond with empathy that keeps supporters close. 

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a colleague who handles retention, and leave a quick review to help others find it. Your feedback guides what we build next—what’s the one donor-care trigger you want to test?

This episode is presented by The Monthly Giving Builder.  Generate your comprehensive monthly giving plan and build your program step by step - with a guided companion working alongside you from start to finish. 

Now is the time to start making your plans for GivingTuesday. Visit GivingTuesday.org/participate for resources and inspiration.

Save the date for our next Monthly Giving Summit on February 25, 2027. Apply to speak here!

Applications are now open for the 2027 Mini Monthly Giving Mastermind and Retreat. If you have built a monthly giving program, join our high-touch peer coaching community for nonprofit leaders who are ready to break through.

Supercharge your monthly giving program and apply for my Monthly Giving VIP Intensive session. Only 2 spots are available this fall!

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab ...