Regular donations are the most sustainable form of income for not-for-profit organisations. Here are our top tips for getting the most out of regular giving on GiveNow. To configure your donation frequencies and suggested amounts, see How do I customise my donation form?
1. Focus on monthly giving.
Monthly donations dominate in Australia, making up around 80% of all regular giving. This is the option most donors expect to see. You can create a campaign that only accepts regular donations by disabling one-off, or restrict to monthly gifts by turning off other frequencies.
2. Match your suggested amounts to impact.
Set donation amounts that connect directly to outcomes. For example, "$50/month provides family meals" or "$100/month funds new program resources." Adding descriptions and images to your suggested amounts helps donors see exactly where their money goes.
3. Plan with donor patterns in mind.
Based on GiveNow data, the average regular donor commitment is 22 months, and the average monthly donation is $49.50 (steady at around $50 for five years). Use these figures to guide your asks and forecast income.
4. Promote direct debit payments.
Regular donors can pay by bank account or credit card. Direct debit payments mean lower transaction fees for your organisation, increasing the value of each gift.
5. Look after your regular donors.
Nearly 40% of regular donation commitments end after three consecutive failed payments. Monitor your regular donor list in OrgHQ and follow up quickly if a payment fails. For more on viewing and managing regular donation statuses, see How do I manage regular donations to my organisation?
Campaign examples
Here are three ways to set up your donation form for regular giving:
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Simple monthly giving: Offer only monthly donations with a few suggested amounts.
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Mixed frequency: Include multiple regular donation options, with monthly set as the default.
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Impact-focused: Add descriptions to your suggested amounts, highlighting the impact of each gift.
Note: Donation forms can also be embedded on your website. See How do I embed a donation form on my organisation's website?