Your Clear, Data-Driven Path to Stronger Donor Relationships Starts Here
How to use our Donor Retention Calculator:
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Enter the number of donors who gave to you this year.
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Add your average gift size (or use the helper to calculate it).
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Enter your donor retention rate—or use the helper to compute it.
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Choose how much you want to increase retention to model different scenarios.
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Review your projected revenue and donor loyalty over time to set realistic stewardship and fundraising plans.
Once you know your donor retention number, you can build a smarter, more sustainable fundraising strategy around it.
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How This Donor Retention Calculator Works
This calculator looks at:
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Donors who gave this year
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Average gift size
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Your current donor retention rate
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Your target retention increase
It then estimates:
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How many donors you keep each year
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Revenue generated at your current rate
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Revenue generated at an improved retention rate
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Additional years of giving gained by your donors
This gives you a clear, mathematically sound view of how donor retention affects long-term revenue.
What To Do After You Know Your Donor Retention Rate
Your retention rate becomes the anchor for your entire fundraising strategy.
Use it to:
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Build tailored stewardship journeys
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Set clear goals for donor communication
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Create segmented outreach plans
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Forecast expected donor revenue
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Monitor donor loyalty and adjust strategies
A donor retention rate is not just a number—it’s the foundation of sustainable fundraising.
What this calculator helps you do
Understand Your Donor Retention
See how your donor count, average gift, and retention percentage translate into a clear, easy-to-understand projection.
Get Set Up in Minutes
Enter a few simple details and let the calculator do the heavy lifting—no spreadsheets or formulas required.
Turn Numbers into Stewardship Goals
Convert your retention projections into actionable follow-ups, messages, and donor journey steps.
See “What It Takes to Grow” Clearly
Know whether your current donor plan is enough—or if you need to adjust strategy or communication frequency to strengthen retention.
Test Different Scenarios
Play with donor counts and retention assumptions to compare best-case, worst-case, and realistic paths to long-term giving.
Share the Plan with Your Team
Export or screenshot your numbers so staff, board members, and volunteers stay aligned on donor engagement goals.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donor Retention Calculator
What is donor retention?
Donor retention is the percentage of donors who gave last year and give again this year.
How accurate is a donor retention calculation?
It is based on actual donor counts and gifts, making it a reliable indicator of donor loyalty and long-term fundraising health.
What is a good donor retention rate?
Many nonprofits see retention rates between 40–45%. Strong programs reach 55% or higher.
How do small nonprofits calculate donor retention?
They track how many donors gave last year and how many of those gave again this year—this calculator helps compute it instantly.
What if retention is higher than expected?
Higher retention means donors stay engaged longer, increasing their lifetime value and giving you more predictable revenue.
