Q:  What is a sustainer and how can they help me reach my fundraising goal?

A:  A sustaining donor is someone who sets up a recurring donation to NEADS.  These donations are usually monthly, but they can be set to any frequency that the donor prefers.

Sustaining donors are hugely helpful to the NEADS organization and particularly useful for clients who are working toward their fundraising goals.  When a donor commits to giving a certain amount on a regular basis it allows the client fundraiser to better predict how much they will be bringing in to NEADS each month.  This can help you better plan your fundraising while feeling confident that donations are scheduled to come in.  It also allows for more activity on your client fundraising page and gives you more opportunities to thank the donor.

The sustainer option is not only helpful for you as the fundraiser but it is also a good choice for the donor.  A donor may not feel comfortable giving a larger donation all at once but they can always opt to spread that donation out over time.

Overall, donors who set up recurring donations end up giving more money to their selected nonprofit and they tend to feel more connected to the organization too.  This means that it is definitely in your best interest to talk to friends and family about becoming sustaining donors through your fundraising campaign – donations can start as low as $5.00 per month.