Free Tools / Donor Lifetime Value
Donor Lifetime Value Calculator
One gift is not the whole story. See what an average donor is worth across every year they keep giving, and why retention is the lever that moves it.
An average $50 gift is really worth $600 across a donor's lifetime. That is why keeping donors beats chasing new ones: a small lift in how long people stay, driven by retention, raises this number for every supporter you have. Acquisition spends to replace what you already had.
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Grow what each donor is worth
DatoVero's Donors module tracks giving history and, on higher tiers, the retention analytics that stretch donor lifespan and lift lifetime value.
Questions
How is donor lifetime value calculated?
Donor lifetime value is the average gift multiplied by the number of gifts per year, multiplied by the average number of years a donor keeps giving. It shows what a supporter is worth beyond their first gift.
How do I estimate average donor lifespan?
Average donor lifespan is closely tied to retention. As a rough guide, a donor lifespan in years is about one divided by your annual attrition rate. Higher retention means a longer lifespan and a higher lifetime value.
Why does lifetime value matter?
It reframes fundraising around keeping donors, not just acquiring them. A modest average gift can be worth many times more over a donor's lifetime, which is why retention often beats acquisition on return.
Is my data private?
Yes. This calculator runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is sent or stored.