Top 8 Strong Reasons Why Donors Don’t Answer Calls

Have you ever wondered why donors don’t answer calls? In recent years, the FTC logged over 3.2 million fraud reports, with scammers relying heavily on phone calls.  As a result, more and more Americans are installing spam-blocking apps. This growing threat has made spam labeling the biggest challenge for nonprofits trying to connect with their supporters.

Apart from spam labeling—donor fatigue, changing communication preferences, and lack of recognition are all part of the problem. 

Let’s break down what’s driving these issues.

Why donors don’t answer calls

1. Your calls are getting flagged as spam (the #1 problem)

Spam filters and call-blocking software automatically flag “suspicious” charity phone numbers. Even if donors have signed up to receive communications, they often don’t realize you’re being blocked once your number has been labeled as ‘spam likely.’ This results in unanswered calls and removes good contacts from your phonebook. This is expensive and frustrating. Its the main reason why donors don’t answer calls.

A recent survey by ACA International found that 78% of people experienced call-blocking, and 74% have their calls mislabeled. This is why your numbers pop as “Spam Risk” or “Scam Likely.” 

Fix: Spam Label Shield

• Continuously checks the health of your campaign number against carriers, FTC, etc. This improves the likelihood of your calls being answered, boosting donor engagement.
• Instantly identifies flagged numbers and replaces them with clean ones without interrupting ongoing calls. Below, we can see how you can enable spam label shield on CallHub.

• Allows you to create a series of area codes to rent numbers. Ensuring that if one area code’s numbers are flagged, the system automatically switches to the following priority area code. 

To see how to create this series on CallHub, read our article here

Check if your number is flagged. Try Spam Label Shield today!

2. You’re calling donors at the wrong time

Another reason why donors don’t answer calls is your timing. You might be calling your donors at an inconvenient time—during work hours, dinner, or late at night. Donors are less likely to answer calls when they are busy or resting.

Fix: Test different calling times.

Identifying the optimal times to contact your donors can significantly enhance engagement rates. Research indicates that certain days and times are more effective for reaching individuals, such as:

• Best days: Midweek days, particularly Wednesday and Thursday, are ideal for making calls. By this time, individuals are settled into their workweek and may be more receptive to calls.
• Best times: The late morning (10 AM to 11 AM) and late afternoon (4 PM to 5 PM) are optimal for making calls. During these periods, individuals are often available and more open to conversations.  

Using CallHub’s features like timezone calling and callback scheduling, you can call your donors at their preferred time so your potential call never gets missed. This way the question why donors don’t answer calls is answered.

3. Donor fatigue: Why donors don’t answer calls

With so many nonprofits competing for attention, donors can become overwhelmed by constant requests for money. A study found that 45% of donors stopped giving to a nonprofit because they felt the organization was “too aggressive in asking for money.”

This fatigue can make them less receptive to new calls, especially if they’re only hearing from you when it’s time to ask for a donation. This in turn is the reason why donors don’t answer calls.

Fix: Engage first, ask later

To combat donor fatigue—and address why donors don’t answer calls—focus on engaging donors before making an ask. Here are some key strategies:

• Show genuine appreciation by thanking donors for their past support. This establishes a warm tone and builds trust.
• Before asking for more donations, share a brief update on how their contributions have made a difference and continue.
• Avoid jumping straight into donation requests. By focusing on a genuine conversation, you directly tackle why donors don’t answer calls and learn how to improve donor call response.  

By integrating these practices, you can shift from a hard sell to building lasting relationships that boost donor engagement and donation recognition—addressing why donors don’t answer calls. 

For further insights, check out our CallHub article on “Best donor engagement strategies”

4. : They don’t recognize the number: Why donors don’t answer calls

Many donors ignore calls from numbers they don’t recognize—often assuming the call is “spam” or from an unfamiliar charity. In fact, according to a Pew Research Center survey, eight-in-ten Americans typically don’t answer unknown numbers. This high rate of nonresponse is a key reason why donors don’t answer calls, which in turn negatively impacts donor engagement and overall fundraising outcomes.

Fix: Improve your outreach.

• Send a brief pre-call message to prepare donors and build trust before you call them, explaining who you are and why you’re calling.

An example template:

Leverage CallHub’s text messaging platform to automate these pre-call warm-up messages and enhance donor engagement. For more actionable tips on drafting clear messages to your donors, check out our blog on text reminders. 

5. The message isn’t compelling enough

Donors think your outreach is just another fundraising pitch, which is why donors don’t answer calls. When donors are not answering calls or ignoring messages, it often comes down to a lack of personalization. BizTech says 71% of donors expect nonprofits to deliver personalized interactions. This is a common issue that answers why donors do not answer calls. 

Fix: Personalize your approach

To tackle why donors don’t answer calls and ensure your message stands out, consider these steps:

• Mention about their previous donations. This not only reinforces donation recognition but also creates a sense of value and appreciation. 
• Briefly update them on how their support has driven real change in your programs. Tailoring the message with concrete examples makes it more relatable and engaging. 

One well-documented example of Save the Children leveraging powerful impact stories to drive donor engagement can be found in their “Impact Reports” and annual campaign materials.  For instance, their annual impact report often includes detailed narratives about how donor contributions have transformed lives in communities. You can read more about their approach and see real examples in their published impact stories on their website. This way we can overcome why donors don’t answer calls and improve donor engagement.

For more insights on how to make your messaging more compelling and boost donor engagement, check out CallHub’s article on “Effective Nonprofit Outreach Strategies.” 

6. They prefer other communication channels

Don’t rely on just one outreach channel for your fundraising campaign. Donors prefer being contacted through multiple channels like text, email, social media, or phone calls. Studies show that multi-channel campaigns can lead to a 204% higher conversion rate. 

Fix: Multichannel outreach

• When you can, ask donors, “Which communication channels do they prefer?” This can be part of a donor survey or during engagement conversations.
• Mix phone calls with text messages, emails, and social media to increase the chances of connecting.
• Segment your donor data based on engagement history and preference data, and segment your donor list into categories. For instance, you can group them as: 

1. Phone-call responders
2. Email responders
3. Text-message responders
4. Social media-engaged donors

By utilizing CallHub’s multichannel capabilities—such as automated texting, voice broadcasting, email marketing, and calling campaigns—along with list segmentation, you can effectively reach donors through their preferred communication methods. This approach enhances engagement and increases conversion rates.

7. : Your call feels too scripted: Why donors don’t answer calls

If your call sounds robotic, donors may not feel personally engaged which leads to reason for why donors don’t answer calls. A rigid script can hinder authentic conversations, leading to a lack of connection and reduced donor engagement. 

This approach may contribute to why donors don’t answer calls, as they might perceive the interaction as impersonal or insincere. A thank-you call from a board member to a new donor within 24 hours can boost their next gift by 39%

Fix: Make it conversational

• Branching scripts provide different pathways in the conversation, enabling callers to navigate various scenarios seamlessly, as per the response given by the donor.
• Tailor your conversation to the donor’s interests and past contributions. Acknowledging their specific involvement can make the call feel more meaningful and increase the likelihood of a positive response.
• Speak naturally and avoid overly formal language. Authenticity resonates with donors and can lead to stronger relationships and increased donation recognition.

Guide your agents through CallHub’s branching scripts to facilitate engaging conversations. Utilize the personalization feature when sending messages to donors. By integrating these tools, you can enhance donor engagement and improve the effectiveness of your fundraising and sort out the reason why donors don’t answer calls.

8. You’re targeting the wrong audience

Some contacts might no longer be your ideal donors. This misalignment can lead to decreased engagement and lower response rates, as donors are not a part of your target audience anymore. Another aspect for why donors don’t answer calls.

Fix: Target your audience effectively

• Assess past interactions to identify active, lapsed, and inactive donors. This helps tailor your communication strategies effectively.
• Group donors based on demographics, giving history, interests, engagement levels, etc.; this approach allows for personalized outreach, enhancing the likelihood of engagement. 
• Ensure all donor contact details are correct and updated to prevent miscommunication and missed opportunities.

Use CallHub’s list segmentation to organize donors based on behavior, location, or interests. This helps personalize outreach and increase engagement, optimizing your fundraising efforts.

The future of donor calls depends on smart outreach

The real challenge isn’t that why donors don’t answer calls—it’s that they don’t see your calls due to spam labeling. With CallHub, you can fix this issue using our spam label shield, ensuring your calls aren’t flagged and improving donor engagement.

Our platform also helps you optimize call timing, personalize messaging, and segment your donor lists—all key to boosting response rates.To stop your calls from getting flagged. Sign up for CallHub today and start improving your donor outreach and tackle the #1 reason donors aren’t answering your calls.

Divyashree BR

A marketer passionate about sharing insights on nonprofits, politics, and advocacies, with a keen focus on how these domains can be effectively digitalized and communicated to reach broader audiences.