In this episode of Giving Growth, Greg Sobiech sits down with Chris Hoffman from Compassion International to discuss how nonprofits can think more like subscription businesses. Chris shares how the AARRR framework Acquisition, Activation, Retention, Referral, Revenue adapted from B2C SaaS, applies directly to donor lifecycle strategy.

Using real world examples from Compassion’s experiential marketing programs, Chris explains how deeply understanding donor needs and journey mapping can unlock new growth. From improving time to first-touch metrics to leveraging peer referrals and AI-driven donor summaries, this episode is a masterclass in growth thinking for nonprofits.

What You'll Learn:

• Why revenue is a lagging indicator and what to focus on instead
• How the AARRR framework translates to donor lifecycle strategy
• The role of experiential marketing in donor acquisition
• How to shorten time-to-impact for new donors
• The power of donor letters in driving retention
• Examples of leading KPIs that nonprofits can track
• How to operationalize moves management from mass to major gifts
• Why AI and summarization tools are critical to better donor engagement

Guest Bio: Chris Hoffman is Staff Product and Product Marketing Manager at Compassion International. With a background in B2C growth marketing and product development, Chris brings a unique perspective to the nonprofit sector, helping Compassion grow its recurring revenue through donor centric, data-driven strategies.

Listen if you work in:

• Nonprofit leadership
• Development & fundraising
• Donor engagement
• Marketing or product in charitable organizations
• Data and digital transformation in the social impact space