EP 91: How to Spark Growth In Your Recurring Giving Program with Dave Raley

EP 91: How to Spark Growth In Your Recurring Giving Program with Dave Raley

Author: Virtuous Software August 21, 2026 Duration: 44:36

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Dave Raley, Founder of the Center for Sustainable Giving. Dave spent 18 years in fundraising and marketing before founding the Center, driven by a belief that sustainable, recurring funding should be accessible to every nonprofit, not just the largest ones.

You'll hear about:
• Why a flat recurring giving program is often a visibility problem, not a donor problem, and what to look at first
• How the first 30 days after a first gift is the most important window to invite donors into recurring giving
• Why an invitation to recurring giving is really an invitation to donor identity, and how that reframe changes your messaging approach
• Specific ways to upgrade recurring donors beyond just asking for a higher dollar amount, including gift type, additional appeals, and legacy conversations
• How to make recurring donors feel genuinely recognized without a large budget or a complicated new workflow
• Where nonprofit fundraising technology is furthest behind the subscription economy, and what closing that gap actually looks like


Links from the episode:
* Connect with Dave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/draley/
* Learn more about the Center for Sustainable Giving: https://www.sustainablegiving.org/
* Download the Sustainable Giving Growth Blueprint: https://www.sustainablegiving.org/blueprint
* See the Recurring Giving Upgrade feature in Virtuous Raise: Recurring Upgrades With One Link

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: 50

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