That’s why we’re excited to introduce Bacs Direct Debit for UK customers - giving organisations a more direct path to sustained support while unlocking smarter strategies for long-term growth.
Build strong donor relationships
Successful fundraising isn’t just about asking for money - it’s about earning trust, demonstrating impact, and building lasting connections. Donors in the UK, like everywhere else, are increasingly motivated by a sense of belonging and a desire to see tangible results from their support. That means organisations need to think beyond one-off appeals and focus on creating authentic, two-way relationships.
With NationBuilder, every donor interaction is captured in a unified database, allowing you to:
- Understand your donors better: Track interest, engagement history, and giving behaviours, informing future outreach.
- Segment with intention: Craft unique messages depending on whether someone is a first-time donor, recurring donor, or lapsed donor, thanks to the data you have collected.
- Celebrate your donors: It’s important to regularly thank your donors and share updates on how their gifts have contributed to moving your organisation forward.
The more donors feel seen and valued, the more likely they are to remain engaged - whether that means giving again, setting up a recurring donation, or becoming an advocate for your cause. By focusing on relationships rather than transactions, organisations can transform fundraising from a series of isolated appeals into a sustainable engine of support.
Increase recurring donations
A robust fundraising strategy relies on a consistent income stream to achieve organisational objectives. Recurring donations are vital, offering increased financial stability and strengthening donor loyalty over time. In the UK, donors who commit to regular giving often continue their support for many years. Recurring donors generate significantly more value than single donations, though these also remain essential.
To support this strategy, setting up and managing recurring payments in NationBuilder has never been easier. With our latest feature release, supporters can now choose to make their contribution monthly or annually, all from the one donation page with the payment method they prefer (Apple or Google Pay, credit card, Direct Debit), all from the one donation page.
Converting one-time donors into recurring supporters is key to sustained community engagement. Here's how to inspire that transition:
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Grow your donors by previous engagement: Identify your donors (thanks to filters) based on where they are in their engagement journey with your movement to tailor your outreach more effectively:
- Target long-time single donors with appeals highlighting the benefits of recurring support.
- Target supporters who have donated 6 times in the last year, but have yet to set up a recurring gift.
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Build recognition and community for recurring donors: Consider offering perks for becoming a recurring donor. For example,
- Sharing special updates, behind-the-scenes content, and recognition in newsletters.
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Embark new donors on a welcome series: Set up a workflow to:
- Thank donors immediately
- Share impact stories a few days later
- Invite them to “make it monthly” - turning generosity into sustained support.
A more direct way to give
Direct Debit handles £1.3 trillion annually in the UK and accounts for nearly one-third of all charitable donations. For organisations, it provides a powerful advantage: 12% fewer failed payments and greater long-term retention compared to card transactions, which are prone to expiry and replacement.
So what does this mean for your fundraising programme moving forward?
- Boost recurring giving: Direct Debit simplifies monthly donations, transforming one-time contributions into consistent, long-term support for your cause.
- Enhanced stability and reduced churn: Without the issue of expiring cards, Direct Debit provides a more predictable income stream, enabling better financial planning for your organisation.
- Donor preference and trust: By offering Direct Debit in addition to card payments, you cater to diverse donor preferences, fostering trust and a smoother giving experience.
Refine your fundraising strategy thanks to the data you have at hand
A robust fundraising program relies on more than just creativity; it's built on data and insights. The most effective organisations don't simply launch campaigns and hope for success; instead, they measure, test, and adapt, making analytics and reporting essential.
With all your donor activity stored in one place, you can:
- Track donor journeys: Understand engagement points, identify drop-off rates, and determine which touch points lead to successful conversions.
- Identify opportunities for improvement: Is a particular donation page underperforming? Are lapsed donors responding to re-engagement emails? The data will tell you.
- Refine your communications: Leverage insights to personalise outreach, segment audiences, and make sure every message feels relevant.
This data-driven method transforms assumptions into a strategic framework. It enables you to amplify successful initiatives, swiftly modify underperforming ones, and cultivate a fundraising mechanism that gains strength with each campaign. Over time, these minor enhancements accumulate into a formidable force: reliable revenue and more profound relationships with supporters.
Looking ahead
The fundraising landscape in the UK is changing fast. Supporters expect giving to be donor-centric, integrated, and flexible - whether that means a seamless online journey, options for recurring support, or payment methods they already trust. Organisations that thrive will be the ones that put their supporters at the heart of every interaction.
At NationBuilder, we’re committed to helping you do exactly that. Tools like Bacs Direct Debit are just the beginning. By combining powerful supporter management with flexible fundraising infrastructure, we’re equipping UK changemakers with everything they need to turn generosity into lasting impact.
For more information, check out this announcement: