Latest / The Nonprofit Podcast / Ep 197| 3 Reasons Nonprofits are Missing out on Donations in 2026

Transcript

Ep 197| 3 Reasons Nonprofits are Missing out on Donations in 2026 · The Nonprofit Podcast

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_02: If fundraising feels harder right now, you are not imagining it.
• 0:04
  SPEAKER_02: Donors are still generous.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_02: That hasn't changed, but they're more selective, more cautious, and honestly more distracted.
• 0:12
  SPEAKER_02: We're seeing slower decision cycles, more comparison before giving, more hesitation at checkout, more one-time gifts instead of long-term commitments.
• 0:22
  SPEAKER_02: That doesn't mean your mission is less compelling.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_02: It means the margin for friction is thinner.
• 0:28
  SPEAKER_02: So today we're not talking about bigger campaigns or louder messaging.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_02: We're talking about tightening your infrastructure.
• 0:36
  SPEAKER_02: Because in seasons like this, revenue rarely collapses because of one big dramatic failure.
• 0:42
  SPEAKER_02: It leaks quietly.
• 0:44
  SPEAKER_02: And if you plug the right gaps, you protect far more than you think.
• 0:50
  SPEAKER_02: The Nonprofit Podcast, powered by DonorBucks.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_02: Welcome to the Nonprofit Podcast.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_02: I'm Jenna Lynch, Head of Community Engagement here at DonorBox.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_02: Each week we bring you practical strategies, clear insights, and real conversations to help you raise more, reach further, and take your nonprofit to the next level.
• 1:10
  SPEAKER_02: I'm joined by my co-host, Brittany Stalker, fundraising strategist here at DonorBox.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_01: Hey Britt.
• 1:16
  SPEAKER_01: Hey, Jenna.
• 1:17
  SPEAKER_01: Hey, yes, this topic, it's been coming up a lot lately.
• 1:21
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, it really has been.
• 1:24
  SPEAKER_02: I think a lot of leaders are feeling this, even if they're not saying it out loud.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_02: Nothing feels catastrophic.
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_02: It just feels like there's less cushion than there used to be.
• 1:36
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, I think that's exactly it.
• 1:38
  SPEAKER_01: There really is this less room for friction.
• 1:42
  SPEAKER_02: And when that tolerance shrinks, the checkout moment really becomes important.
• 1:50
  SPEAKER_02: Someone reads your appeal, right?
• 1:52
  SPEAKER_02: They feel moved, they click donate.
• 1:55
  SPEAKER_02: The decision is already made when they're doing that.
• 1:58
  SPEAKER_02: That is the hardest part.
• 2:00
  SPEAKER_02: And then something small interrupts that flow.
• 2:03
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe the page takes longer than it should to load.
• 2:07
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe it feels cluttered.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe the donor's preferred payment method is not there.
• 2:13
  SPEAKER_02: Maybe there are extra fields that do not actually change the gift, right?
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_02: Address, phone number, things like that.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_02: None of that feels dramatic.
• 2:23
  SPEAKER_02: And it may be small things that nonprofits don't even consider.
• 2:27
  SPEAKER_02: But those small things create a pause.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_02: And right now, that pause is where that doubt can creep in.
• 2:34
  SPEAKER_01: Yes, because you know, donors, they're already thinking longer before they give.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_01: They're comparing more, they're weighing their decisions more carefully.
• 2:41
  SPEAKER_01: Even small friction, it carries more weight than it used to.
• 2:45
  SPEAKER_01: And honestly, here is a simple gut check that I give people all the time.
• 2:50
  SPEAKER_01: Pull up your donation page on your phone, not on your office Wi-Fi.
• 2:54
  SPEAKER_01: Use that mobile data and experience it in the way that a donor would.
• 2:58
  SPEAKER_01: How long does it take to load?
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_01: How many taps before someone can actually give?
• 3:02
  SPEAKER_01: Do you hesitate anywhere?
• 3:04
  SPEAKER_01: Because if this feels like effort to you, it's gonna absolutely feel like effort to the donor who is already being careful about their spending.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_01: Again, this is not about something flashy.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_01: What you really need is something frictionless.
• 3:20
  SPEAKER_01: Um, we're all in this cautious climate together, right, Jenna?
• 3:23
  SPEAKER_01: And simplicity is what's going to convert your donors.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_02: I think that's a really great test.
• 3:29
  SPEAKER_02: And that's that's exactly it.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_02: And this is where having a modern and powerful donation form really makes a difference.
• 3:40
  SPEAKER_02: Again, I think a lot of nonprofit organizations think that just PayPal is fine, or one of their bespoke super long forms is fine because they are seeing gifts come in.
• 3:51
  SPEAKER_02: But when you have something more modern, more powerful, you're going to see even more gifts come in.
• 3:57
  SPEAKER_02: OmniGive, which is DonorBox's newest, most modern donation form, was built around this exact problem.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_02: It is mobile first, it supports more than 22 payment methods, including the digital wallets people already use.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_02: And it's designed to be responsive and effective across all devices so that someone's decision does not get interrupted by that clunky infrastructure.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_02: It really does make all the difference.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_02: And it's not about all the bells and whistles, although those are nice.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_02: We love a form that looks great, uh, but it is about protecting the moment that someone decides, yes, I'm going to donate to this cause.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_02: You know, I think when budgets feel tighter and decisions take longer, inconvenience becomes expensive.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_02: So protecting that very first gift means making that experience strong and seamless.
• 4:58
  SPEAKER_02: And that will turn into more gifts in the future.
• 5:02
  SPEAKER_02: So I'd say that is leak number one.
• 5:05
  SPEAKER_01: The next place things slip is over time.
• 5:09
  SPEAKER_01: You know, and when most of your revenue depends on one-time gifts, every month it's gonna feel like a reset, right?
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_01: There's this constant pressure, acquire, we got to re-energize, we got to replace what's churned.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_01: And this really is just a very reactive cycle that is exhausting.
• 5:27
  SPEAKER_01: What recurring giving does, right?
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_01: It shifts that dynamic because monthly support, it's clearly positioned on your form, it's not hidden.
• 5:36
  SPEAKER_01: You're offering donors a way to stay connected without having to decide again in a few months.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_01: And this is just that steady, predictable income, that habitual income that your nonprofits need to scale and to sustain.
• 5:50
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I I think that predictability, that steadiness you're talking about changes how an organization feels internally, right?
• 6:00
  SPEAKER_02: Monthly giving is not just about smoothing cash flow, although that is so great.
• 6:06
  SPEAKER_02: I think it also reduces emotional fatigue.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_02: Donors do not have to keep deciding whether to give, right?
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_02: Your team does not have to constantly chase new names to replace churn.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_02: I think even modest recurring growth really compounds.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_02: There's a lot of great research and stats on that.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_02: If you add 10 new monthly supporters a month, that is 120 stable supporters by the end of the year.
• 6:33
  SPEAKER_02: And that kind of stability really, really matters.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_01: Right.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_01: And the tools, they're out there.
• 6:40
  SPEAKER_01: They can support that in a way that feels natural.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_01: Donor box, we have so many fabulous recurring features where you can clearly highlight monthly given on your form, connect recurring amounts to visible impact, and even use a recurring upsell after someone makes a one-time gift.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_01: That upsell simply what it does is it invites them to convert to monthly support where it's not louder, it's just really clearer.
• 7:05
  SPEAKER_01: Stability, it's going to lower your stress.
• 7:08
  SPEAKER_01: And when stress lowers, your teams make better decisions.
• 7:12
  SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
• 7:13
  SPEAKER_02: It gives you more breathing room.
• 7:16
  SPEAKER_02: And in a time right now, in a season where every decision feels way more considered, right?
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_02: People are just considering things more deeply.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_02: That breathing room makes a lot of difference.
• 7:28
  SPEAKER_02: So I'd say that is leak number two.
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_02: And then there is in-person giving, which honestly has been encouraging to see come back galas, community events, faith gatherings, school fundraisers.
• 7:42
  SPEAKER_02: It's so cool to see rooms that are full again and that stories are landing, they're coming to life in a room full of people, people feel inspired.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_02: But sometimes the infrastructure does not match the energy in the room.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_02: And we assume that generosity will wait.
• 8:01
  SPEAKER_02: What are your thoughts on that?
• 8:03
  SPEAKER_01: It will not, it will not wait because emotion, what it does is it's it's gonna fade fast.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_01: If someone leaves a room and has to pull out their phone later, search your website, type in a URL, and navigate a form.
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_01: Guess what?
• 8:18
  SPEAKER_01: You've lost a big portion of that momentum.
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_01: Impulse generosity that we need to tap into in that very moment.
• 8:24
  SPEAKER_01: What it needs is it needs that visible infrastructure.
• 8:28
  SPEAKER_02: I agree with that wholeheartedly.
• 8:31
  SPEAKER_02: You want to capture that generosity in the moment.
• 8:35
  SPEAKER_02: And that is exactly where DonorBox Live kiosk makes an incredible difference.
• 8:41
  SPEAKER_02: It is a device that you can use as tap to pay, built specifically for in-person events and gatherings.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_02: People can tap their card or their digital wallet and give instantly.
• 8:55
  SPEAKER_02: You can use a tablet, you can use your cell phone to use the DonorBox Live app.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_02: It truly is an incredible tool.
• 9:02
  SPEAKER_02: It doesn't require any cash, right?
• 9:04
  SPEAKER_02: It is totally cashless, which is great in our cashless society.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_02: There are no pledge cards, no mental notes to remember later.
• 9:13
  SPEAKER_02: It turns inspiration into immediate action, right?
• 9:17
  SPEAKER_02: And when people can give in seconds, you feel the momentum stay in the room instead of stalling.
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_02: You as an organization can see that impact in real time.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_02: And I'd say this is not about being flashy at events.
• 9:34
  SPEAKER_02: It can work for all different types of events and formats.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_02: It really is just about removing friction between inspiration and action while that emotion is still present.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_02: So I'd say that is leak number three.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_02: When I step back from this conversation, what I think stands out is how undramatic the solution actually is.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_02: You do not need to reinvent your strategy.
• 9:59
  SPEAKER_02: We are just trying to reinforce what already supports every gift.
• 10:04
  SPEAKER_02: And that focus on strong, dependable infrastructure is something we care deeply about at DonorBox.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_02: We were just recognized by G2 and their 2026 awards based entirely on verified nonprofit reviews.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_02: And what those reviews consistently highlight is reliability and support, tools that hold up when things feel pressured and uncertain.
• 10:31
  SPEAKER_02: And that tells me this shift towards stronger infrastructure is not theoretical.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_02: It's what teams are actually valuing and seeing results from powerful, sustainable results.
• 10:43
  SPEAKER_02: So strengthen the moment someone gives.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_02: Build that steadiness over time.
• 10:49
  SPEAKER_02: Make sure live energy turns into that generosity captured in real time, right?
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_02: When generosity feels more considered, the answer isn't to be louder, right?
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_02: It's not a big flashy campaign, not big flashy messaging.
• 11:05
  SPEAKER_02: It's just to close these gaps, these leaks that we've talked about that are quietly costing you.
• 11:12
  SPEAKER_01: Gosh, so much freedom with this, Jenna.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_01: And it and that's freeing, honestly.
• 11:16
  SPEAKER_01: You don't have to overhaul everything.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_01: You just have to identify where momentum is slipping and you got to shore that up.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_02: Exactly.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_02: So if you're listening and wondering where to focus next, our tip is to always start simple.
• 11:32
  SPEAKER_02: Pull up your donation experience and just look at it honestly.
• 11:36
  SPEAKER_02: Is it responsive and effective?
• 11:38
  SPEAKER_02: Is your recurring giving option clearly positioned and giving a gentle nudge during the giving process?
• 11:46
  SPEAKER_02: Or when you host an event, are you actually equipped to capture giving in the moment?
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_02: So you do not at all need to fix everything at once.
• 11:55
  SPEAKER_02: Just pick that one area you think you may be losing the most momentum and strengthen that first.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_02: I think that kind of infrastructure really gives your mission that breathing room we were talking about.
• 12:06
  SPEAKER_02: Britt, any final advice for teens feeling the pressure right now?
• 12:10
  SPEAKER_01: Yeah, just to echo real quickly what you said, I'd say resist the instinct to pile on more when we're in these moments where things feel tighter, right?
• 12:18
  SPEAKER_01: There's this temptation to launch another campaign, turn up the urgency.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_01: But sometimes the smarter move is quieter.
• 12:27
  SPEAKER_01: Make sure your systems are working for you.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_01: Make sure your form is strong and accessible.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_01: Make sure that recurring giving, it's prominent, it's clear, and make sure that you're not letting those inspired moments cool off.
• 12:39
  SPEAKER_01: That's going to be what protects our dear listeners' revenue long term.
• 12:44
  SPEAKER_01: That's such a good way to put it.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_02: Thanks for that, Britt.
• 12:48
  SPEAKER_02: And we will link the tools we mentioned in the show notes so you can explore what might support you.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_02: Start with the gap that is costing you the most and fix that first.
• 12:58
  SPEAKER_02: Thank you for being a part of the nonprofit podcast community.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_02: Your work matters, and we are honored to support it.
• 13:04
  SPEAKER_02: If you enjoyed this episode, share it, leave a review, or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
• 13:09
  SPEAKER_02: Until next time, take that first step and stay inspired.
• 13:12
  SPEAKER_00: That warm feeling when you help someone, it's not just happiness, it's fulfillment.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: And we believe it should be available to everyone, from frontline heroes to first time fundraisers.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: Our tools empower you to help others.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_00: This is our mission.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_00: This is DonorBox, helping you help others.