Monthly Giving Week is here! So how do you grow a recurring donor program from a trickle to over 5,200 committed supporters?

In this powerful episode, Ashlyn Jones, the force behind Houston Food Bank’s “Faithful Friends” program, shares how the organization invested in a full-time sustainer role.

AND, why having someone solely focused on nurturing monthly givers has been a game changer for retention and revenue.

Ashlyn walks us through how emergencies, storytelling, and strategic touchpoints helped build long-term donor loyalty. She dives into the campaigns and platforms they’ve used, including paid social ads, telefunding, and stewardship emails - and how simple things like phone calls and handwritten notes have moved the needle on retention.

One of the most inspiring takeaways? Ashlyn’s approach to storytelling and writing in a way that donors feel their impact immediately, leading to an increase in their monthly gifts. This episode is jam-packed with actionable advice for nonprofits ready to build a loyal base of recurring donors.

Resources & Links

Connect with Ashlyn on LinkedIn and learn more about the Houston Food Bank on their website.

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here.

Monthly Giving Awareness Week is May 12-16! Join me, RKD Group, and GivingTuesday for 5 days of FREE resources to help you launch and grow recurring gifts.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. 4 spots are open and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for yo...

Did you know that only 3% of charitable giving in the U.S. happens on a recurring basis, and moving that needle to just 5% could unlock $9 BILLION in annual funding for nonprofits?!

Today I’m sharing my keynote from the 2025 Monthly Giving Summit and pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to stop treating recurring giving like a side hustle. It’s time to make it the main event!

Sustainable, predictable revenue doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when we lead with intention, ask boldly, and invite people into something bigger than a one-time gift.

And it starts with ONE powerful question: Do you have the habit of asking?

Throughout my talk, you’ll hear personal stories, industry-shifting data, and tactical strategies to help you build (or scale) a thriving monthly giving program. You’ll walk away with ideas you can implement today (not next year!), to transform how you position recurring support, activate your donors, and build a future where sustainable giving becomes the norm.

Resources & Links

Want to see more of the 2025 Monthly Giving Summit? Click here for the YouTube Playlist of all the sessions.

Check out Episode 142 to hear Blythe Hill from Dressember unpack their merger and acquisition journey with IJM.

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here.

Monthly Giving Awareness Week is May 12-16! Join me, RKD Group, and GivingTuesday for 5 days of FREE resources to help you launch and grow recurring gifts.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for your event? Click here!

PR success can create a snowball effect for your nonprofit, ALL at once. But how do you do it?

In this episode, I’m talking to former U.S. diplomat turned PR powerhouse Gloria Chou, who’s helped thousands of entrepreneurs and small organizations land over 10,000 media features without needing an agency, big budget, or insider contacts.

Gloria shares why traditional PR is often gatekept and how you can break through using her "CPR Method" (Credibility, Point of View, and Relevance) to craft pitches that journalists actually want to open.

You’ll learn how to find your nonprofit’s most compelling angles, leverage seasonal and cultural moments, and build a foundation for long-term visibility and impact.

If you’ve ever thought your nonprofit was "too small" or "not newsworthy" enough, this conversation will change your mind.

Resources & Links

Connect with Gloria on Instagram at @gloriachoupr and DM ‘DANA’ to grab her pitching freebie. You can also watch Gloria’s FREE masterclass.

Grow your list of media contacts at Source of Sources and sign up for Google News Alerts.

This show is presented by LinkedIn for Nonprofits. We’re so grateful for their partnership. Explore their incredible suite of resources and discounts for nonprofit teams here.

Monthly Giving Awareness Week is May 12-16! Join me, RKD Group, and GivingTuesday for 5 days of FREE resources to help you launch and grow recurring gifts.

Are you still dreaming about building your monthly giving program or refreshing your current one? Applications are now open for my “done with you” Monthly Giving Mastermind. 4 spots are open and we start in July. Click here to apply.

My book, The Monthly Giving Mastermind, is here! Grab a copy here and learn my framework to build, grow, and sustain subscriptions for good.

Let's Connect!

• Send a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn and let us know what you think of the show!
• Head to YouTube for digital marketing how-to videos and podcast teasers
• Want to book Dana as a speaker for yo...