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...

If you’d like to check out Flodesk + get my 4-Part Email Welcome Series Workflow sign up with my link!

What if your email marketing platform actually made you feel smarter instead of overwhelmed? Dawn Richardson, Product Education Manager at Flodesk, is here to help you redefine what’s possible in nonprofit email marketing (with ALL the segmenting and automations too!)

Email personalization in 2025 is going way beyond just inserting a supporter’s name. Dawn introduces link actions, form preferences, and how to segment donors based on their actual behaviors and interests.

Did we mention Flodesk can also support seamless integrations (hello, Canva and Zapier!) and unlimited subscribers and emails - all at a flat-rate price?! I’ve been using this platform for years and I have never wavered or wanted to make a switch.

FIVE nonprofits in my Monthly Giving Mastermind even made the switch to Flodesk on the spot and now have a much easier time sending eye-catching emails, boosting their email performance and donor loyalty.

Resources & Links

Learn more about Flodesk and get 50% off your first year. You can also learn more on their YouTube channel and by joining the Flodesk Insiders Facebook Group.

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...

If you're still manually sending thank you notes, chasing spreadsheets, or struggling to keep up with donor touch points, this episode could save you THOUSANDS of dollars.

I’m talking with Rachel Bearbower, an absolute systems wizard and the founder of Nonprofit Automation Agency, to break down how nonprofits can implement systems and automations that actually feel personal.

Rachel walks us through some compelling case studies, including a monthly giving program that used customized workflows to segment donors by gift size and deliver messages that felt like they came straight from the Executive Director’s inbox.

You’ll hear how my team used Zapier to automatically send scholarship applications from HubSpot to Google Sheets. The kicker? These automations helped scale communications to over 4,700 event registrants without sacrificing personalization!

Plus, Rachel shares her “The One Minute Thank You” trick that lands pre-written, customizable drafts in your inbox the moment a donation comes through.

Resources & Links

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn or Instagram or book a demo. You can also learn more about Nonprofit Automation Agency on her website.

Check out Rachel’s FREE Resources: 5 Ways to Automate Your Stewardship and Create a Remarkable Donor Experience.

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 80% of LinkedIn's BILLION-plus members want to give back to organizations?

Today I’m joined by a repeat guest: Ariana Younai, Head of LinkedIn for Nonprofits! And we’re here to cover how you can strategically use LinkedIn’s most powerful (and often overlooked) tool: Sales Navigator.

Ariana shares exactly how it can help fuel your fundraising efforts, build warm donor relationships, and unlock corporate partnerships. And she’s giving us allll the data, examples, and a time-sensitive offer to boot!

Ariana also breaks down how to use LinkedIn’s advanced filters, buyer intent signals, and relationship insights to identify top prospects, reactivate lapsed donors, and connect with hidden champions within their existing networks.

You’ll even learn how ONE second-degree connection led to a grant that fed over 5,700 essential workers during the pandemic.

Resources & Links

Connect with Ariana on LinkedIn and apply for FREE access to Sales Navigator (limited to 2,000 nonprofits through April 30, 2025).

Check out Ariana on Episode 99: Unlocking the Power of LinkedIn for Your Nonprofit.

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...

Today’s episode is a peek behind the curtain of my recent virtual Monthly Giving Summit. The good, the surprising, and everything in between! With a team of 6 handling strategic planning and marketing, we ended up with 31 speakers and 4,693 registrants from 58 countries!

I’ll share what we paid in speaker fees, the secrets behind our marketing approach, why simple, no-frills video ads work, and how a $2,500 investment in paid ads generated 26% of our total registrations at just $2.04 per registration.

Plus, my combo of email marketing, influencer partnerships, speaker collabs, and strategic outreach that led to a 50% live show-up rate at the summit.

If you’ve ever dreamed of hosting a virtual event that truly moves the needle, this episode is your blueprint. You don't need a massive operation to create meaningful impact — just a genuine desire to serve your community.

Resources & Links

Thank you to our amazing partners who made the Monthly Giving Summit possible: Givebutter, FundraiseUp, MissionWired, Tatango, iDonate, and DonorPerfect.

I used LettrLabs to send thank you notes to speakers.

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 LinkedIn video uploads have increased by 34% year over year?!

If your nonprofit isn’t leveraging video on LinkedIn, you’re missing out on a major opportunity to connect with potential donors and advocates. In this episode, I’m sharing a replay of a recent livestream I co-hosted about the power of LinkedIn video with Scott Rising, Senior Content Marketing Manager at LinkedIn.

We cover why it’s the FASTEST growing content format on the platform and how nonprofits can use it as a catalyst for building relationships. Of course, we get into the nitty gritty of optimal video length, formats, and scripting the most powerful hooks, too.

Learn the best video tools like Canva (which is free for nonprofits!) and how to repurpose blog posts, webinars, and newsletters into engaging video stories.

I’ll also explain why you don’t need a professional production team to create impactful LinkedIn videos. Sometimes, all it takes is your phone, a $20 microphone, and a smart content plan to generate over a million impressions!

P.S. Want to watch the replay live? Here is the LinkedIn Live video.

Resources & Links

Connect with Scott on LinkedIn.

Check out these recommended tools for making videos: Canva for Nonprofits, InShot, and CapCut.

If you're interested in incorporating text messaging with 99% open rates into your donor engagement strategy, join me and the team at Tatango for a FREE webinar on March 26th at 1:30pm ET.

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...