Migrating to a new nonprofit CRM or donation platform can feel like a major undertaking, especially if you have a strong base of recurring donors. So it’s no surprise that one of the biggest concerns nonprofits have when switching fundraising platforms is: “Can you transfer recurring giving without losing donors?”
The short answer is yes.
Even when nonprofits know it’s time for a system upgrade, some platforms use the fear of lost donations and donor frustration to keep them locked in, making the transition seem risky. Some legacy providers may even charge for the data transfer. But the reality is that token migration exists to ensure a seamless, secure transition without losing recurring donor support.
When handled properly, nonprofits can move to a new platform without disrupting recurring gifts or requiring donors to re-enter their payment details. Let’s break down token migration, how it works, and what to expect when switching platforms.
What Is Token Migration—And How Does It Help You Transfer Recurring Giving?
When a donor sets up a recurring gift, their payment details are securely stored as a payment token—a reference that allows future transactions to be processed without storing sensitive card information.
During a nonprofit CRM migration, these tokens can be safely transferred, so donors don’t have to update their payment information or take any extra steps. Token migration is a common, behind-the-scenes process that keeps recurring gifts running smoothly.
Recurring Giving Migration: Common Fears vs. Realities
Changing platforms can seem like a big time and resource investment. From losing payment information to time-consuming manual data entry, it’s not as complicated as it might seem. Below, we’ll address some of the biggest fears about transferring recurring donors—and the truth behind them.
1. ‘We’ll Lose Our Recurring Donors.’
A common concern nonprofits have about recurring donation migration is the fear of losing long-term donors. It’s easy to assume that donors will have to re-enter their payment details, which could lead to missed donations or, worse, donor drop-off. Since recurring giving is a big source of revenue for many organizations, the idea of disrupting that steady support can feel too risky.
Reality: Token migration is built to prevent this. Donors shouldn’t have to do a thing—their payment info moves securely to the new platform, and their gifts continue as usual. With the right technology partner guiding the process, nonprofits can move recurring giving to a new platform without losing momentum or donor trust.
2. ‘Our New Platform Can’t Handle the Transfer.’
When transitioning to a new platform, it’s completely natural to feel a little nervous about the data transfer. After all, if the new system isn’t equipped to handle token migration, it could mean a disruption in the donor experience—something no nonprofit wants to risk.
Reality: Modern donor management systems, like Virtuous, are built to work together with payment processors, ensuring tokens are migrated securely. This means that payment information is migrated in the background, without any lapse in gifts during the transfer of recurring donors.
f your new provider supports token migration, the process is typically straightforward and low-risk. A well-planned transition accounts for all donor data being validated, payments continuing as scheduled, and your team having the support needed to manage the process smoothly. The key is working with a platform that understands fundraising and has experience handling nonprofit migrations successfully.
3. ‘It’s Too Risky—What If Payments Fail?’
When switching platforms, the last thing you want to worry about is failed payments.
Reality: A well-managed token migration will include built-in validation steps to ensure that donor payment information transfers correctly and transactions continue without disruption.
A trusted provider will work closely with your team to oversee the process, running tests and verifying data before going live. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of potential failed payments, giving you peace of mind that recurring donations will continue without interruption. Plus, your software provider should offer ongoing support to resolve any issues that come up.
4. ‘Our Old Provider Won’t Release the Tokens.”
Some platforms make it difficult to retrieve donor payment tokens, often as a tactic to keep nonprofits from switching. While this can be frustrating, it doesn’t mean recurring donation migration is impossible.
A fundraising CRM with migration experience will know how to navigate these challenges, working directly with your previous provider and payment processor to ensure a smooth transfer. The right team will advocate for you, handle the technical details, and keep the process moving from start to finish.
How Virtuous Helps You Transfer Recurring Giving Successfully
At Virtuous, we understand that recurring gifts are the foundation of your fundraising efforts. Losing donors due to a complicated transition isn’t an option, so we guide you through the process and handle the bulk of the technical work to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Here’s how we do it:
- We work alongside you and your current provider so you don’t have to do it alone. Our team guides you through requesting and securely migrating your payment tokens, providing clear instructions, verbiage, and support to ensure a smooth and secure transition.
- Donors don’t have to lift a finger. During and after the transfer of recurring donors, gifts should continue without the need for donors to re-enter payment details or update their accounts manually.
- Security is our top priority. We follow strict industry protocols to make sure all transactions are processed securely and correctly post-migration.
- Your team gets full support. With clear timelines, proactive updates, and expert guidance, you always know what’s happening and what to expect next.
By working with a provider that puts your organization first, you can make the switch with confidence, knowing that your donor experience and recurring support won’t be disrupted. That’s exactly what Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Omaha experienced when it transitioned to Virtuous.
While switching fundraising platforms can feel overwhelming, RMHC in Omaha found a true partner in Virtuous. With ongoing support and a team ready to assist at every step, the transition was completed successfully in just four months—without any interruptions in donor support.
“For any RMHC, knowing that their whole mission is serving families, the way that Virtuous does business is right in step with that, making sure that the nonprofit has the tools, the resources to continue serving, to continue growing, and to continue fulfilling that mission for many years down the road.” — Hunter Samuels, Director of Stewardship & Communications, RMHC in Omaha
FAQs
Can you transfer recurring giving when switching platforms?
Yes. With token migration, nonprofits can transfer recurring donor payment data securely to a new system without asking donors to re-enter their information.
Will recurring donations continue after switching CRMs?
They can. If the new CRM (like Virtuous) supports token migration and works with your payment processor. The right tech partner can handle the transition without interruption to donor gifts.
What happens if my old platform won’t release tokens?
Some providers make migration harder, but experienced CRM vendors know how to navigate these roadblocks and work with processors directly to complete the transfer.
Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back From Switching Platforms
The thought of switching platforms can feel overwhelming, but staying locked into an outdated system out of fear isn’t the answer. Token migration is a secure, proven process that allows you to move forward without losing the support of your recurring donors.
With the right team handling the transition, switching platforms can be a seamless experience—one that strengthens donor relationships, improves fundraising, and sets your organization up for long-term success.
Thinking about switching platforms?
Let’s talk about how Virtuous can help. Schedule a demo today.
