Understand How Donorfy and Mailchimp Exchange Data
The Donorfy–Mailchimp integration relies on two Mailchimp technologies.
Use the Mailchimp API when Donorfy synchronises a constituent list to Mailchimp.
Use Mailchimp Webhooks to send changes from Mailchimp back to Donorfy, such as subscribes and unsubscribes.
Webhooks run when changes happen in Mailchimp, but they should not run for updates made via the API.
Configure Webhooks to Avoid API Update Loops
If webhooks fire in response to API updates, a loop can occur.
Open your Mailchimp webhook configuration.
Ensure the option to fire webhooks for API updates is not selected.
⚠️ Important:
If API-triggered webhooks are enabled, Donorfy updates Mailchimp via the API, Mailchimp fires a webhook back to Donorfy, and this can repeat continuously.
Understand the Impact on Custom Integrations
If you have a custom integration that adds new subscribers to Mailchimp via the API, those subscribers will not automatically appear in Donorfy.
Add a subscriber to Mailchimp using your custom integration via the API.
Confirm that no webhook fires, meaning the subscriber is not added to Donorfy automatically.
📌 Note:This is expected behaviour when API-triggered webhooks are disabled.
Know When Mailchimp Signup Forms Still Sync Correctly
Mailchimp signup forms do not have the same limitation.
Add a subscriber using a Mailchimp signup form.
Confirm that webhooks fire and the subscriber is created or updated in Donorfy.
📌 Note:
Signup form activity triggers webhooks as normal and will continue to sync into Donorfy.
Add New Subscribers to Both Systems
If your custom integration must also create subscribers in Donorfy, use one of the following approaches.
Add Subscribers to Mailchimp and Donorfy at the Same Time
Update your custom integration to add the subscriber to Mailchimp.
Add the same subscriber to Donorfy using the Donorfy API.
Add Subscribers to Donorfy First, Then Sync to Mailchimp
Add the subscriber to Donorfy using the Donorfy API.
Include the new subscriber in the Donorfy list you sync to Mailchimp so they are added during the next sync.
Upload a CSV for Small Volumes
Export a CSV of new subscribers from Mailchimp.
Add the subscribers to Donorfy using the File Uploader.
Donorfy Academy
The Donorfy Academy features a learning course for Mailchimp - enrol here.