Donor Flags and Giving History Segments

DonorPoint lets you build dynamic segments based on giving history. The most common patterns — LYBUNT, SYBUNT, and first-time donors — can be built using the dynamic segment tools.

LYBUNT (Last Year But Unfortunately Not This Year)

A LYBUNT segment contains donors who gave in the previous campaign year but have not yet given in the current campaign year. This is the most important re-engagement list in annual fund fundraising.

To build a LYBUNT segment:

  1. Create a Contact Query segment called “Gave Last Year”:
    • Filter: Active transaction, campaign year = [prior year], transaction type = RECEIVED or PLEDGE
  2. Create a Contact Query segment called “Gave This Year”:
    • Filter: Active transaction, campaign year = [current year]
  3. Create a Compound Segment = “Gave Last Year” MINUS “Gave This Year”

Result: every donor who gave last year and has not yet given this year.

SYBUNT (Some Year But Unfortunately Not This Year)

A SYBUNT segment contains donors who gave in any prior year but have not given in the current year.

To build a SYBUNT segment:

  1. Create a Contact Query segment called “Has Any Prior Gift”:
    • Filter: Has at least one active transaction (any year)
  2. Create a Contact Query segment called “Gave This Year”
  3. Create a Compound Segment = “Has Any Prior Gift” MINUS “Gave This Year”

First-Time Donors

A first-time donor segment contains donors who gave for the first time in the current year.

To build a first-time donor segment:

  1. Create a Contact Query segment called “Gave This Year”
  2. Create a Contact Query segment called “Gave Before This Year”:
    • Filter: Active transaction in any prior year
  3. Create a Compound Segment = “Gave This Year” MINUS “Gave Before This Year”

Lapsed Donors

A lapsed donor segment contains donors who gave at some point but have not given within a defined recency window (e.g., more than 2 years ago).

To build a lapsed segment:

  1. Create a “Gave Within 2 Years” segment (transaction date within last 24 months)
  2. Create a “Has Any Transaction” segment
  3. Compound = “Has Any Transaction” MINUS “Gave Within 2 Years”

Using Donor Flags in Email

These segments are directly usable as email distribution lists. When the email job runs, the dynamic segment re-evaluates membership — so you never need to manually rebuild the list.

See Dynamic Segments for the mechanics of building compound segments.

Donor Flag Reporting

Each of these segments can also be used as a report filter. Run giving summary reports against a LYBUNT segment to see total lapsed revenue at risk, or against first-time donors to see new donor acquisition metrics.