How To Write Perfect Giving Tuesday Subject Lines? (+ Examples)

The subject line is the first thing people see in your Giving Tuesday emails, and it can make all the difference. Almost 47% of email recipients decide whether to open an email based on the subject line alone. So, getting it right is the key.

In this blog, we'll share tips for crafting effective subject lines and provide examples to inspire you. These suggestions will help you grab attention and increase your donations on one of the biggest giving days of the year.

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving that takes place every year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. 

It started as a movement to encourage people to give back during the holiday season. On this day, people from around the world support their favorite charities and nonprofit organizations by donating money, volunteering, or spreading the word.

It's a day that brings communities together to make a positive impact.

Importance of Sending Emails for Giving Tuesday

Sending emails is an important way for organizations to connect with supporters on Giving Tuesday. Emails help spread the word about fundraising campaigns, share stories of impact, and encourage people to donate. 

• Emails can inform supporters about the organization's goals for Giving Tuesday and explain why their support matters.
• By sending reminders and updates, emails motivate people to take action, whether it's donating or volunteering.
• Emails give organizations a chance to thank supporters and keep them engaged, which can lead to long-term loyalty.
• Sharing success stories and results from previous Giving Tuesdays helps donors see how their contributions make a difference.

The Importance of Effective Subject Lines

Creating effective subject lines is important for any fundraising email, especially on Giving Tuesday.

Subject lines are the first impression of your email. A strong subject line grabs the recipient's attention and encourages them to open the email. 

On Giving Tuesday, when emails are often competing for attention, having a clear, concise, and engaging subject line is the key to shine.

Effective subject lines can motivate recipients to engage with your campaign. Action verbs, questions, or a sense of urgency can inspire donors to take action​.

11 Key Strategies for Crafting Subject Lines On Giving Tuesday

Here are some key strategies to attract donors and encourage them to donate on Giving Tuesday.

Best Practices for Creating Compelling Subject Lines

1.              Be Concise and Clear

Keep your subject line short and straightforward. Aim for 7 words or fewer and keep the length under 60 characters.

2.              Create a Sense of Urgency

Use time-sensitive phrases like "Last Chance" or "Today Only" to motivate recipients to act promptly​.

3.              Evoke Emotion

Use emotive words like "help," "support," and "impact" to connect with the spirit of giving and generosity.

4.              Ask a Question

Encourage engagement by posing a question. For example, "Ready to change a life this Giving Tuesday?"

5.              Personalize the Subject Line

Include the recipient’s name or reference to a past donation to make the subject line more engaging.

6.              Highlight Impact

Let recipients know how their contribution will make a difference. For example, "Turn $10 into clean water for 10 families."​ 

7.              Avoid Spam Language

Avoid spam, shady words, or excessive use of exclamation points to prevent the email from being marked as spam​. 

8.              Follow Your Organizations Voice

Ensure that the subject line remains consistent with your nonprofit organization's voice and brand to maintain authenticity.

9.              Incorporate Countdown Timers

Using countdown timers and countdown subject lines can create urgency and motivate prompt action.

10.              Highlight Matching Gifts

If there is a matching gift campaign on Giving Tuesday, highlight it in the subject line to increase engagement, such as "Double Your Impact Today!"​ 

11.              Include Gratitude

Show gratitude by using subject lines like "Thank You for Your Support" to maintain a positive relationship with donors​.

Examples of Successful Giving Tuesday Subject Lines

Here are some successful examples that have increased engagement and donations on Giving Tuesday.

Direct Request Subject Lines:

• "Join Us This Giving Tuesday"
• "Your Gift Matters Today More Than Ever"​
• "Lend a Hand This Giving Tuesday"

Personalized Subject Lines:

• "[Name], Your Gift Can Change a Life"
• "John, Help Us Make a Difference"​ 
• "Rachel's Gift Matched 2x"​

Urgency-Driven Subject Lines:

• "Last Chance for Your Giving Tuesday Gift"
• "TIME IS RUNNING OUT: We’re almost to $15,000! #GivingTuesday"
• "Before #GivingTuesday Ends – Have TWICE the Impact!"​ 

Questions as Subject Lines:

• "Will You Help Feed a Child This Giving Tuesday?"
• "Ready to Change a Life this Giving Tuesday?"
• "Can We Count on Your Compassion?"

Matching Gift Subject Lines:

• "Your #GivingTuesday Gift Will Be Doubled Today!"
• "Breaking: Every Gift Now TRIPLED"
• "Double Your Impact on Giving Tuesday"​ 

Storytelling Subject Lines:

• "Jeremy, A Story of Inspiration and Hope Just for You"
• "Samira is Exhausted. You Can Help Her."
• "Lives Have Been Impacted for God's Glory Through You!"​ 

Call to Action Subject Lines:

• "Stand With Us Today for a Brighter Tomorrow"
• "Help Us Finish What We Started"
• "Support Superheroes This #GivingTuesday"​ 

Key Takeaways for Crafting Giving Tuesday Subject Lines

As you prepare for Giving Tuesday, remember that a well-crafted subject line can be your key to success. 

With engaging, clear, and effective subject lines, you can grab the attention of your audience and encourage them to open your email. This small but significant step can make a big difference in your fundraising efforts.

So, put some thought into your Giving Tuesday subject lines, and watch how it helps your cause. After all, your organization's mission deserves to be seen and supported, and a great subject line is one way to make that happen.