Modifying Recurring Gift Frequency and Dates

This article explains how to update an active recurring donation’s schedule in the admin interface, what options can be changed, and the limitations to consider.

Quick answers

For non-indefinite recurring gifts, you may need to update the end date when modifying the schedule.

Before you start

Remember that changes affect only future installments; past installments remain unchanged.

What you can change

Frequency: Update the recurring frequency for future installments to either monthly or yearly. Only options enabled on the donor’s original giving form can be selected.

Installment amount: Change the amount charged per installment.

Installment count (max charges): Update the total number of installments. Enter 999 to set a gift to recur indefinitely.

End date (for non-indefinite plans): Update the end date for subscriptions with a fixed number of payments. (The Update End Date button is available only to GiveCampus staff admins.)

Only the frequencies enabled on the donor’s original giving form are available when editing a subscription.

Common scenarios

Donor intended an annual donation: If the donor’s original form included an annual option, you can change the subscription to yearly. If the annual option isn’t available, only the enabled frequencies may be used.
Finite installment plans: When a subscription with a fixed number of payments is modified, update the end date or installment count so the schedule reflects the donor’s intent.

Future installments follow the new schedule while past installments remain unchanged.

Review the updated subscription details, including the next payment date, to ensure accuracy.

After you save

Future installments will follow the new schedule while past installments remain unchanged in the donation history.
Verify the updated subscription details, including the next payment date, to ensure accuracy.

Best practices

Review the subscription details after editing to verify the scheduled payment date and installment amount.
For finite plans, double-check that changes to frequency and the end date maintain the correct total commitment.

Frequency: Update the recurring frequency for future installments to monthly or yearly. Both options are available in the admin edit form, regardless of the donor’s original giving form.

Next run date: Adjust the date when the next installment processes. School admins can set a date up to 365 days in the future, while donors managing their own subscriptions can set it up to 30 days out.

Annual donation option: If a subscription is intended as an annual gift, you can switch to a yearly schedule at any time using the admin edit form.