Segments help you group donors by shared characteristics or journey stage—so you can deliver more targeted, consistent outreach and track engagement over time.
Segments help you organize donors in your assigned portfolio into meaningful groups based on shared characteristics—like major gift level, giving history, or donor type (e.g., planned giving or recurring donors). These are long-term groups designed to help you stay consistent with outreach and track engagement over time.
Segments are manual, individualized, and updated based on who’s assigned to you in your CRM. They’re great for structuring your stewardship strategy—but they’re not flexible for quick, one-off campaigns. For that, use Lists instead.
If you're working with a large group of unassigned donors or running short-term outreach (like event follow-ups), use a List instead of a Segment.
How Segments Work
- Segments are manually configured based on your assigned donors
- The segment membership refreshes every 30 minutes—you don’t need to manage it manually
- Segments trigger automated recommendations, helping you stay in touch without extra effort
- You can’t delete a segment yet, but we’re working on it (ask your admin or trainer for help in the meantime)
Think of segments as a way to structure your stewardship game plan. Each segment reflects a different donor journey—like cultivating major gifts or retaining monthly donors—and helps Momentum prompt the right actions at the right time.
How to Create and Manage a Segment
1. Navigate to the Segments Tab
From the Constituents area, click into Segments.
2. Click the plus sign ➕ Button
Start a new segment using the blue plus icon. You’ll name the segment here—use something clear and descriptive, like:
- “Major Donors $50K+”
- “Recurring Monthly Givers”
- “Legacy Society”
3. Save Your Segment
Once saved, Momentum will automatically begin pulling in the relevant donors from your assigned portfolio.
4. View and Track Your Segment
Click into a segment to:
- See which donors are included
- View helpful fields like last gift, last action, and planned next step
- Monitor whether they’re getting enough outreach via automated recommendations
You can’t manually add or remove donors from a segment—Momentum manages that based on your CRM. If you need more flexibility, try creating a List.
When to Use Segments (vs. Lists)
| Use a Segment when... | Use a List when... |
| You’re managing long-term relationships | You’re doing one-off or time-bound outreach |
| The group is part of your assigned portfolio | The group includes donors not assigned to you |
| You want Momentum to trigger regular touchpoint reminders | You’re manually managing the timing and messaging |
| Example: “All donors giving $50K+ this year” | Example: “Spring Gala attendees” or “Planned Giving Prospects” |
Why Segments Are Useful
- Automated support: Let Momentum remind you when it’s time to reach out
- Clear structure: Focus on donors with similar engagement goals
- Time-saving: Avoid rebuilding groups every time you run a report or campaign
- Better reporting: Track how you're engaging each major donor group over time
TL;DR
Use this feature to: Group assigned donors into long-term, strategic categories
Segments are: Auto-updating, synced with your CRM, and built for consistent stewardship
Ideal for: Major donors, legacy society members, recurring givers
Avoid segments if: You’re working with unassigned donors or planning a short-term campaign—use a List instead
Works well with: Automated recommendations, Workspace cadences, and reporting tools