Why Donors Stop Giving and How to Win Them Back | Joshua Crowther
In this episode of the Cause+Effect Podcast, Trent Dunham, President+CEO of Dunham+Co, sits down with Josh Crowther, VP of Dunham+Co, to unpack the real reasons donors lapse. Some reasons are outside an organization’s control, like personal financial pressure, economic uncertainty, or shifting cultural attitudes toward generosity. But many causes are self-inflicted — including silence, poor communication, overused urgency, and fundraising tactics that prioritize immediate ROI over long-term relationship.Trent and Josh discuss how organizations can identify lapsed donors, avoid common retention mistakes, and build stronger communication strategies that re-engage supporters. They also explore why lapsed donors often still see themselves as connected to your mission — and why that should change the way nonprofits communicate with them. For nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and ministry teams, this conversation offers practical insight into donor retention, reactivation, and building lasting relationships with the people who make your mission possible. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction01:12 – Why donors stop giving02:00 – Economic uncertainty and donor confidence04:38 – The decline in charitable giving07:05 – Why silence causes donors to lapse10:36 – The problem with constant urgency13:18 – Treating donors like wallets15:28 – How to re-engage lapsed donors
