Giving to a nonprofit like Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County doesn’t have to mean making one large donation. For many people, monthly giving offers a simple and manageable way to support causes they care about throughout the year.
For nonprofits, those recurring gifts provide something equally valuable: a reliable source of support that makes it easier to plan, respond to needs, and continue serving the community.
In fact, monthly giving has become an increasingly important part of nonprofit fundraising. According to the 2026 M+R Benchmarks study, monthly giving accounted for 27% of all online nonprofit revenue in 2025.
So, what makes recurring giving so valuable? The advantages extend to both the donor and the organization they choose to support.
What is Monthly Giving?
Monthly giving, sometimes called recurring giving, allows a donor to select an amount that is automatically donated to a nonprofit on a regular schedule.
M+R Benchmarks defines a monthly gift as a donation in which someone signs up once to give a regular amount each month.
Instead of remembering to make individual donations throughout the year, donors can establish their gift once and know their support will continue.
For example:
- A $10 monthly gift becomes $120 in support over a year.
- A $25 monthly gift becomes $300.
- A $50 monthly gift provides $600 in annual support.
The consistency can add up to significant impact.
Why is Monthly Giving Good for Donors?
Monthly giving can make generosity easier to budget.
A monthly donation allows people to spread their charitable giving throughout the year.
Someone who might hesitate to make a larger contribution all at once may find that a smaller recurring amount fits comfortably within their monthly budget. Over the course of the year, those smaller gifts can create meaningful support for an organization.
The donor chooses an amount that works for them while still making philanthropy part of their regular routine.
It is convenient.
Once a recurring donation is established, the contribution can be processed automatically each month.
There is no need to remember a fundraising deadline, respond to every appeal, or repeatedly complete a donation form.
For busy donors, monthly giving can be one of the simplest ways to consistently support an organization they value.
Donors can create ongoing impact.
Monthly giving changes charitable support from a single moment into an ongoing relationship. That is what we’re after – we value relationships and want our donors to walk alongside us in our mission!
Instead of asking, “What can my donation accomplish today?” recurring donors can think about the impact they are helping create throughout the year.
For organizations providing ongoing community services like Meals on Wheels, this can be especially meaningful. Needs do not occur only during the holidays or during fundraising campaigns. They continue every week and every month.
Monthly giving helps donors stay connected to a cause.
Recurring donors often become some of an organization’s most consistent supporters.
That continued relationship gives nonprofits opportunities to share stories, updates, accomplishments, and examples of how donor support is being put to work.
Blackbaud has reported significantly stronger retention among monthly donors than donors making individual gifts, demonstrating the strength of the relationship that recurring giving can create.
Why Do Nonprofits Value Monthly Donors?
Monthly giving isn’t only convenient for donors. It provides important advantages for nonprofit organizations, too.
Recurring donations provide more predictable revenue.
Nonprofits need to plan for expenses just like households and businesses do.
Programs, staffing, supplies, transportation, facilities, and other operating expenses continue throughout the year. Knowing that a portion of financial support will arrive consistently each month makes budgeting and planning easier.
Blackbaud identifies this predictability as one of the primary advantages of recurring donations because organizations can make decisions with greater confidence when consistent support is available.
Reliable giving helps organizations focus on their mission.
Fundraising will always be important to nonprofit organizations, but dependable recurring revenue can reduce some of the uncertainty associated with relying entirely on one-time gifts and seasonal campaigns.
Monthly donors create a foundation of ongoing support.
For Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County, dependable support helps sustain the work of providing meals, connection, and services that help older adults remain connected to their community and maintain their independence.
Small gifts become powerful when people give together.
The strength of a monthly giving program isn’t necessarily one very large donation.
It is the combined impact of many people choosing to contribute consistently.
One person’s $10 monthly donation may feel modest. But 50 people making that commitment generate $6,000 in support over the course of a year.
That is the power of a community giving together!
Monthly donors can help organizations plan ahead.
Reliable funding doesn’t only help nonprofits pay today’s expenses. It can also help organizations look forward.
Consistent support can make it easier to anticipate future needs, strengthen programs, respond when circumstances change, and make thoughtful decisions about how to use resources.
Is a Monthly Donation Better Than a One-Time Donation?
Both are valuable.
There is no single “right” way to support a nonprofit. One-time gifts, event donations, planned gifts, volunteer service, sponsorships, and recurring donations can all play an important role.
Monthly giving is particularly helpful when a donor wants to provide consistent support in a convenient and budget-friendly way.
For nonprofits, having a combination of recurring and one-time donors creates a broader and more sustainable base of community support.
Monhtly Giving Turns Consistency Into Impact
Some of the most meaningful change happens gradually.
One meal, one visit, one conversation. One month of support followed by another.
Monthly donors give nonprofit organizations something incredibly valuable: the ability to count on a community of people who believe their work should continue.
And for donors, recurring giving provides an easy way to turn generosity into a habit – allowing a manageable monthly contribution to become something much larger over time.
Join the Lunch Bunch
Meals on Wheels of Greeley and Weld County is building a community of monthly supporters through our Lunch Bunch monthly giving program.
Lunch Bunch members make an ongoing commitment to helping Meals on Wheels provide more than a meal. Their consistent support strengthens the services, connections, and community relationships that help older adults remain independent and connected.
A small gift each month can become a year of meaningful impact. Mark monthly on your donation form to join.
FAQs
What is monthly giving?
Monthly giving is a type of recurring charitable donation in which a donor authorizes a nonprofit to receive a set donation automatically each month. It allows donors to provide consistent support without having to make a new donation each time.
What are the benefits of donating monthly?
Monthly donations can be easier for donors to budget, convenient to manage, and a simple way to create a larger impact over time. For nonprofits, monthly gifts provide more predictable revenue that can support budgeting, planning, and ongoing programs.
Is it better to donate monthly or once a year?
Both monthly and one-time donations are valuable. Monthly giving may be a good choice for donors who want to spread their charitable giving across the year while providing an organization with consistent financial support.
How much should I donate each month?
There is no required amount for monthly giving. Donors should choose an amount that comfortably fits their budget. Even relatively small monthly gifts can add up to meaningful annual support, particularly when many donors participate.
Why do nonprofits encourage recurring donations?
Recurring donations provide nonprofits with a more dependable source of revenue. That consistency can help organizations budget, plan programs, respond to changing needs, and focus more resources on their mission.
Can I change or cancel a monthly donation?
Monthly giving programs generally allow donors to update or cancel their recurring gift. Donors should check the specific organization’s giving policies or contact the organization if they need to make changes.
Are monthly donations tax deductible?
Donations to qualified charitable organizations may be tax deductible depending on current tax laws and the donor’s individual circumstances. Donors should review current IRS guidelines or consult a tax professional for specific tax advice.
How does monthly giving help Meals on Wheels?
Consistent monthly support helps Meals on Wheels plan for ongoing needs and sustain services throughout the year. Recurring donors provide a dependable foundation of community support for the meals, connections, and services that help older adults maintain their independence.