Masterworks collaborated with Prison Fellowship to build and launch Restoration Partners, a monthly giving program. The program started from scratch and grandfathered in just a few long-time regular donors.
In the years since, Restoration Partners has grown to thousands of monthly contributors who receive a custom calendar of content to encourage them in their membership and invite additional gifts.
As of summer 2025, the Restoration Partners program is approaching 10,000 monthly members.
Restoration Partners has been a roaring success for Prison Fellowship, bringing in a consistent, steady income of millions of dollars each year, thanks to these primary factors:
#1 Steady, Consistent Invitation to Membership Through a Quarterly House-File Email Cadence
Every quarter, in addition to regular ministry updates, invitations to prayer, and donation solicitations, Prison Fellowship’s house file receives a regular cadence of Restoration Partner recruitment emails sprinkled in.
Eight emails per quarter whose only purpose is to add to the Restoration Partner rolls.
And it’s working.
Between 40 and 100 new Restoration Partners are added monthly through house-file email recruitment.
Every year, we revisit the series, kick out the lowest performers, and reimagine new ways to invite membership, often based on learnings from digital media.
Which brings us to our second factor behind the growth of Restoration Partners.
#2 Significant Investment in Restoration Partner Recruitment Through Paid Digital Media
Through multiple paid digital media channels, Prison Fellowship is investing every day in recruiting new Restoration Partners.
And unlike in email, the digital media recruitment broadens the net to include non-donor audiences. Cold prospects have been a surprising pool in which to find new monthly donors.
Between 140 and 200 new Restoration Partners are added monthly through digital media recruitment. It’s by far the most productive channel in terms of sheer volume.
A bonus side effect of using paid media spend to recruit monthly donors: a significant boost to your single-gift donations. Ads featuring Restoration Partners routinely rank near the top of the performance list of ads driving immediate revenue!
#3 A Regular Flow of Proof-of-Impact Stories in Restoration Partner Member Inboxes
In order to keep up Restoration Partner retention rates, members receive a steady flow of stories in their email inbox that show the impact they’re making on the ministry because of their membership.
Most of the emails Restoration Partners receive are versions of general donor appeal emails, stripped of links and buttons. We also supercharge the content with words of admiration, appreciation, and praise.
And don’t be shy: Restoration Partners receive more than 150 emails each year, with only a few of them asking for anything at all.
If you’d like to talk more about turning your monthly donor program dial up to 11, reach out anytime. You can email me at slatour@masterworks.agency or text/call me at 206-271-2559.
