What Is Donor Churn? Why It Matters More Than You Think
If you’ve ever wondered what is donor churn?, it’s the percentage of donors who stop giving to your organization over time. It’s the opposite of your donor retention rate—and it’s one of the most important fundraising metrics many teams overlook.
High churn quietly drains your revenue. If a donor gives $100 a year and typically stays five years, their lifetime value is $500. But if 40% of donors churn after year one, you lose hundreds or thousands of dollars in future revenue.
Common causes include weak stewardship, inconsistent communication, poor giving experiences, and staff turnover. The good news? Most of this is preventable.
A fast, structured CRM implementation helps maintain donor relationships during transitions, catch lapsed donors early, and keep stewardship workflows running smoothly. Platforms like Julep CRM make this process simple and fast, starting at $99 a month.
To boost your donor retention rate, watch for early warning signs like missed payments or disengagement. By focusing on how to retain donors, your nonprofit can build stronger relationships, increase lifetime value, and reduce the costly cycle of constantly replacing lost supporters.