A reliable group of regular givers can make a huge difference to a nonprofit, but most donor journeys still start with a one-off gift. Regular Giving Upsell is designed to gently turn that first moment of generosity into something longer lasting, by offering monthly giving when a supporter is already engaged and ready to help.

By adding this optional step to your donation form, you are not pushing donors to give more. You are simply giving them another way to support your work. The prompt appears at the right time, feels natural in the flow, and respects the donor’s choice every step of the way.

What is a donation upsell?

A donation upsell is a simple, optional prompt shown during the donation process that encourages one-time donors to become regular givers. When a donor selects an eligible donation amount, the upsell appears before the payment step, inviting them to convert their one-off gift into a smaller monthly contribution.

Rather than asking for more money, the upsell offers a smarter way to give. It meets supporters at a moment of high intent and presents monthly giving as an easy, meaningful option, making it feel helpful and considered rather than disruptive.

But how does it work?

First, you set a trigger amount. This is the minimum one-off donation required before an upsell is shown. Donations below this amount move straight through the form without any upgrade suggestion.

When a one-time donor chooses an amount, for example $100, and clicks “Next,” they’ll be presented with a new option to upgrade to a monthly gift at a lower donation amount

That monthly amount is automatically calculated by a percentage that you have chosen. Supporters can accept the suggested monthly amount, or continue with their original one-off donation, all in a single click.

You can also customise the upgrade message to reflect your organisation’s voice. The prompt heading and supporting text can be personalised with sincere, donor-focused messaging, including dynamic values such as the original donation and the suggested monthly amount.

By clearly showing the impact and value upfront, donors experience transparency and choice, making them more comfortable with upgrading their support.

Try it for yourself

The best way to see the value of Regular Giving Upsell is to experience it in your own donation flow. If you are already using Studio, the feature is ready to go and only takes a few minutes to switch on.

To get started:

1. Open Manage Forms and select the form you want to update

2. Go to the upsell section on the right-hand side

3. Toggle on enable hidden upsell step

Regular Giving Upsell is designed to be flexible, so you can shape the experience in a way that makes sense for your supporters and your cause. Everything can be adjusted to match how and when you want to invite donors to give regularly.

Trigger amount: You choose the minimum one-off donation that qualifies for an upsell. Donations below this amount move straight through the form, while donations above it are prompted with the upsell

Suggested frequency: Decide how you would like donors to give regularly. You can encourage either monthly or four-weekly donations.

Upsell percentage: This setting controls how the suggested recurring amount is calculated. We start by dividing the one-off gift by 12, then apply the percentage you choose to create a compelling monthly option. This allows you to strike the right balance between affordability for donors and long-term value for your organisation.

Heading: Customise the heading to clearly and warmly introduce the upsell

Body text: The body text gives you space to explain the value of monthly giving in your own words. This is where you can reassure donors, highlight the impact of ongoing support, or share why regular gifts matter to your cause. You can also include dynamic values, such as the original donation amount and the suggested monthly amount, so donors understand exactly what they are being offered.

Wrapping up

Regular Giving Upsell is a simple way to make the most of a moment when supporters are already saying yes to your cause. By offering a thoughtful, well-timed option to give regularly, you can grow long-term support without adding friction to the donation experience.

With flexible settings and custom messaging, the upsell can be shaped to feel like a natural extension of your organisation’s voice and values. For donors, it feels like choice and transparency. For nonprofits, it can lead to stronger relationships and more sustainable fundraising.

If you are already using Studio 2.3, this feature is ready to be explored. A small change in your donation flow could lead to a meaningful lift in regular giving and long-term impact.