EP 78: Building a Loyalty Program That Celebrates Every Gift with Carly Plate and Dominika McLean

EP 78: Building a Loyalty Program That Celebrates Every Gift with Carly Plate and Dominika McLean

Author: Virtuous Software March 20, 2026 Duration: 32:37

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Carly Plate and Dominika McLean from the University of South Florida to talk about building a consecutive giving recognition program that celebrates loyalty over gift size.

Their core belief? The donor who gives $25 every year for 30 years deserves just as much recognition as someone who writes one large check.

You'll hear about:

  • Why USF created Loyalty Herd to close the gap between major giving programs and unrecognized lower-level consecutive donors
  • How the program defines eligibility: any dollar amount, three or more consecutive fiscal years
  • How USF scaled stewardship across 20,000 donors using milestone touch points, in-house design, and creative campus partnerships
  • Why they chose not to offer a buyback option, and how that decision strengthened the program's intent
  • How to approach data, communications, and development teams before launching a program like this
  • The real ROI of recognizing giving behavior over giving amount
  • Practical advice for teams with small budgets who want to start something meaningful now

Links from the episode:

Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.


Hosted by Virtuous Software, the Responsive Lab Podcast operates at the intersection of mission and method. Each episode is a practical session focused on the tools and strategies reshaping modern philanthropy. We examine real-world cases where software and thoughtful processes solve operational hurdles, helping organizations move beyond simple transactions to foster genuine, lasting relationships with their supporters. The conversation often delves into the how-to details of implementing new systems, training teams, and measuring what truly matters. It’s a resource for nonprofit professionals, technologists, and leaders who believe that operational efficiency and donor-centricity are not opposing goals. You’ll hear from practitioners who are actively rethinking their approach, sharing both successes and lessons learned from the field. This podcast provides a space to consider how technology, when applied with intention, can amplify human connection and drive sustainable impact. Tune in for grounded discussions that blend business acumen with educational insights, all aimed at equipping mission-driven teams for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Responsive Lab Podcast
Podcast Episodes