> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getparable.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Giving Stage Reference

> Understand how Parable classifies donor behavior into giving patterns, trends, and payment alerts.

# Giving Stage Reference

Use this guide to understand how Parable classifies donor behavior. These patterns appear on the **Parable: Giving** tab in Planning Center People — once **Giving Engagement** sync is enabled under **Settings → Engagement** — and power automation recipes, reports, and AI insights.

## Pattern Overview

Parable's model is adaptive, not fixed-day-only. For repeat donors, Parable learns cadence from the median gap between gifts and treats **two missed cycles** as the lapse threshold. ACH-backed recurring donors get a small grace buffer to account for pending timing.

| Pattern           | Definition                                                                   | What to Watch                                                        |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **New Donor**     | First-ever successful gift                                                   | Warm follow-up matters because many first gifts do not become habits |
| **Second Gift**   | Second-ever successful gift                                                  | This is the highest-leverage moment to reinforce momentum            |
| **New Recurring** | Recently started a recurring giving schedule (first 1–2 recurring gifts)     | Celebrate and reinforce the commitment before it becomes routine     |
| **Recurring**     | Giving is consistent or scheduled, with an established rhythm                | Celebrate faithfulness and keep vision in front of them              |
| **Occasional**    | Gives more than once, but without a steady rhythm                            | Invite toward consistency without pressure                           |
| **At-Risk**       | Previously active or recurring, but approaching the adaptive lapse threshold | Reach out early — this is the window before disconnection hardens    |
| **Lapsed**        | Previously active or recurring, but now past the adaptive lapse threshold    | Reach out with curiosity before disconnection hardens                |
| **Recovered**     | Returned after a lapse and is still in the first 1–2 gifts back              | Celebrate the reconnection and learn what helped                     |
| **Inactive**      | No successful giving in 12+ months                                           | Indicates full disengagement from financial partnership              |

## Trend Reference

Trends describe the direction of a donor's giving over time. Use trend language alongside the pattern:

* **Growing** — Trailing 12-month giving is meaningfully above the prior 12-month period
* **Stable** — Trailing 12-month giving is roughly flat year over year
* **Declining** — Trailing 12-month giving is meaningfully below the prior 12-month period

## Payment Alerts

Payment alerts are operational flags — not pastoral labels. More than one can be active at once.

| Alert                       | Meaning                                                                   |
| --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Failed Gift**             | A recent gift attempt failed and needs follow-up                          |
| **Expiring Payment Method** | The active recurring payment method is nearing expiration                 |
| **Card Fee Savings**        | The donor is recurring on card and could be invited to ACH to reduce fees |

## Communication Guidelines

<Tip>
  Keep the language people-focused and factual. Never shame or pressure — frame every insight as an opportunity to notice, care, and encourage next steps.
</Tip>

* Pair pattern language with action language: *"Second Gift donors should receive a personal thank-you and a recurring invitation."*
* Use adaptive phrasing instead of rigid day buckets: *"They are past their normal giving rhythm"* is better than *"They crossed day 121."*
* Reference specific numbers when available: *"12 donors are currently in a recovered window after returning to give again."*