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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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. <i><br /></i><br /><br /><br /><b>CHAPTERS </b><br />00:00 – Introduction<br />01:12 – Why donors stop giving<br />02:00 – Economic uncertainty and donor confidence<br />04:38 – The decline in charitable giving<br />07:05 – Why silence causes donors to lapse<br />10:36 – The problem with constant urgency<br />13:18 – Treating donors like wallets<br />15:28 – How to re-engage lapsed donors