Donor lifetime value calculator

See what a donor is worth over the whole relationship, and how much more they are worth as a monthly giver.

Your donor

The typical amount this donor gives each time.

$

How many times a year they give (a one-time annual donor is 1).

How many years a donor stays with you, on average.

yrs

Lifetime value

$500

$100 a year for 5 years.

Current cadence
$500
Same gift, given monthly
$3,000

About 6x the lifetime value of this donor's current cadence, just by making the gift monthly.

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Lifetime value is a planning estimate, not a guarantee. Monthly recurring donors typically give more often and stay longer, which is why converting one-time donors to monthly is the highest-leverage move in most giving programs.

Turn one-time donors into monthly givers

Givebear makes recurring giving a one-tap default on the kiosk and your donation form, with automatic retries so monthly gifts do not lapse. Built for lasting donor relationships.

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How this is calculated

Lifetime value is a planning estimate built from three numbers you already have.

Annual valueequalsaverage gift × gifts per year

Lifetime valueequalsannual value × years as a donor

Monthly lifetime valueequalsaverage gift × 12 × years as a donor

  • The monthly comparison keeps the same lifespan for a like-for-like view. Recurring donors tend to stay longer, so the real gap is usually larger.
  • The multiple is monthly lifetime value divided by lifetime value at the current cadence, rounded to one decimal.

Donor lifetime value questions

How do you calculate donor lifetime value?
Donor lifetime value (LTV) is the average gift multiplied by how many times a year the donor gives, multiplied by the average number of years they stay with you. For example, a donor who gives $50 twice a year for five years has a lifetime value of $500. It is an estimate for planning, not a precise prediction.
Why are monthly recurring donors worth more?
A monthly donor gives twelve times a year instead of once or twice, and recurring donors tend to stay loyal longer than one-time givers, so both halves of the LTV formula go up. That compounding is why converting one-time donors to monthly is usually the single highest-return action a giving program can take.
What is the difference between donor LTV and retention rate?
Retention rate measures the share of donors who give again from one year to the next; lifetime value measures how much a donor is worth over the whole relationship. They are related (longer retention raises LTV), but they answer different questions. Use the donor retention calculator for churn and this tool for value.

Keep more of the donors you have

Every calculator and template is on the free tools page.

Donor retention calculator

Calculate your retention rate and the revenue at stake.

Recurring giving

Why monthly donors are the most valuable segment you have.

Increase recurring donations

Practical ways to convert one-time donors into monthly givers.

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