13 Email Marketing Examples for Nonprofit Fundraisers

Do you want to level up your fundraising efforts? 

Then know that email marketing is the name of the game. 

Here’s why.

Emails are not only cost-effective, but they’re also highly personalized which makes them more appealing to the recipients. The personalization convinces your readers to take action, take out their wallets, press the “Donate Now” button, and send funds your way.

What’s better than that, right?

But, figuring it all out can be overwhelming, so we’ve compiled a list of 13 email marketing examples that are bound to supercharge your fundraising efforts and help you reach your campaign goals. 

However, if you want to take your efforts up a notch, then sign up with BetterWorld today.

Why Should Nonprofits Use Email Marketing?

As a nonprofit, you should leverage email marketing because it's a super affordable and direct way to get into your supporters, volunteers, and donors' inbox.

You can customize your messages to different groups based on their interests, history, or demographics, which makes it way more engaging.

Plus, you can drive donations, event sign-ups, and volunteer registrations with compelling CTAs. We’re talking 4200% ROI, here.

And what’s better? You get to have metrics to track your progress and see what's working. 

Plus, email marketing is the key to building lasting relationships through regular communication and keeping people informed about your cause.

If you’re convinced about the power of emails, let’s have a look at the 13 best email marketing examples for nonprofit fundraisers.

#1 Welcome Email

Welcome emails are super important for a number of reasons. First off, they set the tone for the donor's relationship with the organization right off the bat. 

People look forward to receiving welcome emails after signing up for a newsletter because they need confirmation. Hence, they're the perfect opportunity to make a solid impression, show some gratitude, and build a real connection with the supporter. 

Plus, welcome emails have an incredibly high average open rate of 82%, making them one of the most engaging types of emails out there. That means you have a solid chance of grabbing donors' attention by:

• telling them about your organization
• sharing a story about the cause you support
• talking about how the donations make an impact

The studies have found that welcome emails can generate up to 320% more revenue per email than other promotional emails. That's an insane impact for nonprofits trying to fundraise.

#2 Donation Appeal

Donation appeals can drive more donations for your organization. They're all about connecting with supporters on a personal level and rallying funds for important causes. 

When nonprofits nail those donation appeals, they can really get the message across about their mission, impact, and the urgent need for financial help. 

Plus, email marketing is an excellent way for nonprofits to reach a huge audience without breaking the bank. 

By getting all smart with targeted segmentation and personalizing the messages by telling donors how their donations have helped make an impact and how they can extend their support one more time.

Lastly, tracking and analyzing campaign metrics give nonprofits major insights into donor behavior, so they can keep fine-tuning their strategies for even better appeals in the future.

#3 Success Story

Success story emails have the power to inspire and engage supporters by showing them real-life examples of how their contributions have made an impact. 

When nonprofits share success stories, they show the tangible outcomes and positive changes fundraising has brought about. 

It hits readers right in the feels and makes them believe even more in your organization's mission. Plus, success story emails give social proof, showing potential donors that their support can actually make a difference. 

When people see the actual results of their donations, they're totally pumped to keep giving and help boost those fundraising efforts even more.

#4 Volunteer Request

When you ask volunteers to help out, you're not just getting an extra pair of hands, you're also gaining access to their network and potentially expanding your donor base. Here's how volunteer request emails can help:

• Increased visibility: When volunteers share your request for help with their friends and family, your organization gains exposure to a wider audience. 
• Building relationships: By involving volunteers in your fundraising efforts, you're building a stronger connection with them. 
• Higher donations: Volunteers who are actively involved in your fundraising efforts may be more likely to donate themselves. 

#5 Fundraising Event Invitation

Fundraising event invitation emails are like VIP passes to an exclusive experience, sparking a sense of urgency that's hard to resist. They bring the cause to life, painting a vivid picture of how attendees can make a real impact and leave a lasting impression. 

These emails tap into emotions, building a deep connection that fuels supporters' desire to contribute. What's even cooler is that they have the power to instantly reach a massive audience, shining a spotlight on the event and drawing in new donors. 

And let's not forget, they're a one-stop shop for sharing all the juicy event details, from ticket sales to donation links, making it ridiculously easy for recipients to jump in and make a difference. It's like the ultimate recipe for engagement and amplifies the fundraising potential like nothing else.

#6 Monthly Newsletter for Updates

A monthly newsletter is all about keeping your donors and supporters in the loop and making them feel seen and heard. Regular communication is key because it keeps them engaged and shows them the impact of their contributions. 

When they see the difference they're making, their connection to your cause grows stronger than ever. This monthly newsletter is your chance to shine, showcasing success stories, ongoing projects, and exciting fundraising events on the horizon. 

It's also a platform to express heartfelt gratitude, give props to your awesome donors, and share personal stories that really hit home. 

By keeping everyone in the loop and actively involved, you'll supercharge their commitment and inspire even more donations. 

#7 Advocacy Call-to-action

With an advocacy call-to-action, you not only inspire individuals to donate but also encourage them to take meaningful action to support your cause. 

By urging supporters to sign petitions, contact legislators, or spread awareness through social media, you tap into their enthusiasm and dedication. This not only amplifies your message but also expands your reach, attracting new donors who are inspired by the advocacy efforts.

#8 Thank you Email

A meticulously crafted thank you email does more than just show gratitude — it's a total game-changer. Firstly, it gives major props to your donors, making them feel like rock stars for their contribution. This creates a bond, increasing the chances of them sticking around for the long haul. 

Moreover, your thank you email is the perfect chance to share impactful success stories that show the real impact of their generosity. 

It's a reminder that their donation mattered and inspires them to give again or shout it from the rooftops. 

BAM! 

You’ve built trust, strengthened relationships, and formed a crew of passionate supporters ready to support your cause.

#9 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Request

Peer-to-peer fundraising requests are when individuals rally their peers, friends, and family members for support, it ignites a wave of trust and engagement that creates a ripple effect. 

This taps into the goldmine of word-of-mouth marketing, where people are more inclined to donate when asked by someone they know and trust. 

Peer-to-peer fundraising takes the campaign beyond limits, transforming each participant into a passionate ambassador for the cause. 

By empowering supporters to become fundraisers themselves, you unlock an unstoppable force, amplifying your message, expanding your donor base, and securing more funds to fuel your mission.

#10 Holiday Appeal

A holiday appeal taps into the contagious spirit of the season, awakening people's innate generosity. When holidays roll around, individuals are primed to support causes close to their hearts. 

Crafting an exceptional holiday appeal seizes this moment, harnessing the power of storytelling and captivating imagery to create a sense of empathy and build connections. 

It cultivates a sense of urgency, highlighting how donations can make a monumental impact during this season of giving. Moreover, holiday appeals embrace the rich traditions of charitable giving, empowering supporters to rally their networks. 

By aligning fundraising strategies with holidays, you can unleash a tidal wave of momentum and maximize fundraising potential.

#11 Matching Gift Campaign

Matching gift campaigns work like a charm when it comes to ramping up fundraising efforts. They tap into the sheer generosity of donors and make their contributions double or triple. 

Here's the deal: when a donor gives, it gets matched by a corporate sponsor or philanthropist, doubling or even tripling the donation.

This incentive not only gets existing donors pumped to give more but also attracts fresh faces who want to make generous contributions. The result? The potential for a major revenue surge propels nonprofits straight to their fundraising goals.

#12 Storytelling Email

Storytelling emails are all about creating deep emotional connections with donors. When nonprofits share some heart-touching narratives about real people they're helping, it makes people want to take immediate action. 

Donors' empathy goes through the roof, and they're ready to make moves. 

These emails transport readers straight into the lives of those benefiting from the organization's mission, sparking purpose and urgency. 

By spinning tales that show the impact of donations, storytelling emails make the cause real and relatable. That's how you get more engagement and higher donation rates

#13 Share Milestones on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday emails are an absolute game-changer and for good reason. What they do is create a serious sense of urgency and hype by showcasing the progress and impact of the Giving Tuesday campaign. 

Whether it's highlighting the number of donors or the amount raised, these milestones motivate recipients to get involved and contribute to the cause. 

Moreover, these emails use the power of social proof to demonstrate that others are taking action and making a real difference. This social validation encourages recipients to take action and be part of the collective effort. 

Lastly, these emails make recipients feel like they're part of a generous community that's doing something meaningful together, and that's sure to motivate them to get involved and spread the word.

Final Thoughts

You must be convinced by now that using different email marketing techniques is an absolute must for you to connect with your audience, amp up donations, and leave a lasting impact. 

From telling compelling stories to sending monthly newsletter updates and personalized welcome emails, you as a nonprofit have a whole arsenal of strategies to choose from. 

By implementing these tried-and-true techniques, you can build real relationships with your supporters, boost participation, and reach your mission goals. 

So, if you're ready to level up your nonprofit fundraising game, you need to join BetterWorld to get access to easy-to-use tools to streamline your fundraising processes.