Email Marketing for Nonprofits
Using email to start and grow relationships is easy for nonprofits. It is an inexpensive way to reach out to supporters on a regular basis with informative and inspiring messages. Doing this can help your organization build an engaged community that helps to promote your mission, fundraising, and special events.
Sample Emails
2023 Email Template
Subject: 401Gives Statewide WEEKEND of Giving!
[Salutation],
401Gives is in it’s 4th year and we hope we can have your continued support! This year is the Weekend Edition – an amazing opportunity to unite our community around causes in which we truly believe and help nonprofit organizations connect to the larger community.
Now there is a whole weekend to celebrate…it starts on March 31 at 6am and goes through Monday, April 3 until 6pm. Plenty of time to make a gift and give back to the community that gives so much! And this year, we also hope you join us at a special 401Gives WaterFire on Saturday night, April 1st.
Please join our campaign and help us reach our goal of $xxxx and xxx donors! We need you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference.
Get ready to give! Starting at 6am on March 31 visit YOUR URL and make a donation to us and/or to any of the great participating nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island.
Questions? If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know. [Add your contact information]. Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization!
Subject: Help Us Make History | 401Gives
[Salutation],
Have you dreamed of making history? Of course, we all have. And now we have a chance to be a part of Rhode Island's day of giving - an opportunity to unite our community around causes in which we truly believe and help nonprofit organizations connect to the larger community.
We need your help! Please join our campaign and help us reach our goal of $xxxx and xxx donors! We need you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference.
Get ready to give! On April 1, visit 401Gives.org and make a donation to us and/or to any of the great participating nonprofit organizations in Rhode Island. All giving will end at 5:59AM on April 2, so make sure to get your gift in on time!
Questions? If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know. [Add your contact information]. Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization!
2023 Email Template
Subject: 401Gives – Please support us!
[Salutation],
This year 401Gives is the “Weekend Edition” and will open March 31 at 6am and run through Monday, April 3 until 6pm. It will also include a 401Gives WaterFire on Saturday, April 1. Come on down and celebrate with us!
This year, we hope you continue to support us and help us make our 401Gives campaign a success! We’ve included a few easy ways that you can support us.
Share and share alike. Online days of giving are successful because of our own networks. Help us grow our network by sending this email to your network and ask your friends to do the same.
Be socially (media) active. Use your social media networks: post on Facebook, tweet about YOUR URL and share your love for your particular passion, whether it’s education, health care, animals, or the arts. Ask others to do the same.
Become a fundraising champion. Everyone loves a champion aka Peer-to-Peer fundraiser, including us! We really need fundraising champions to help drive people to our 401Gives profile on April 1. Contact us for more information on how to become a fundraising champion!
Thank you in advance for your support!
[Salutation],
We’re counting down the days to April 1 and 401Gives. We need your help to make our campaign a success, and we’ve included a few easy ways that you can support us.
Share and share alike. Online days of giving are successful because of our own networks. Help us grow our network by sending this email to your network and ask your friends to do the same.
Be socially (media) active. Use your social media networks: post on Facebook, tweet about 401Gives, and share your love for your particular passion, whether it’s education, health care, animals, or the arts. Ask others to do the same.
Become a fundraising champion. Everyone loves a champion, including us! We really need fundraising champions to help drive people to our 401Gives profile on April 1. Contact us for more information on how to become a fundraising champion!
Thank you in advance for your support!
2023 Email Template
Subject: 401Gives: Let’s continue HOPE in Rhode Island!
[Salutation],
HOPE is a powerful feeling that motivates and transforms a community for the better.
401Gives instills that hope by uniting tens of thousands of individuals every spring to give generously at 401Gives.org
This weekend you have a chance to be a part of this online day of giving - an opportunity to unite our community around causes in which we truly believe and help organizations like ours connect to new supporters.
But we can't do it alone! Join our giving day campaign and help us reach our goal of $xxxx and xxx donors!
Unlike other fundraisers, 401Gives awards prizes and incentives to nonprofits throughout the giving day, thanks to contributions from generous community partners. By making a gift online at 401Gives.org, your donation may be randomly boosted by prize dollars.
Support local organizations on the weekend of April 1st, by donating at 401Gives.org and especially to us at URL
If you have any questions or would like more information, let us know—[Add your contact information].
Thank you in advance for your generosity to our organization! Subject: Ready to Lend a Helping Hand? | 401Gives
Subject: Today’s the Day | Put Your Giving Shoes On
[Salutation],
401Gives is TODAY, and we are asking you to join us in our efforts to make this the most awesome day of giving Rhode Island has ever seen!
We are writing to ask you to take five minutes to give to [name of organization - make hyperlink to your 401Gives page]. After that, you can give to other nonprofits that do work that you support or just kick back and watch how high the giving can go at 401Gives.org!
Your donation of any amount will help [give specific examples, or insert a sliding scale of what $25, $50, $100 etc can do].
Here’s how you can make a HUGE difference today:
- Make a donation (link to your 401Gives page!)
- Spread the word. Text a friend. Forward this email. Post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #401Gives. Oh, and you can also just tell someone in person – that works, too.
Subject: You’ve helped us get closer to our goal for 401Gives!
[Salutation],
Thanks to your generous donation, we are [$ amount] closer to reaching our goal of [$ amount] raised for [Giving Day Name]! To help us cross the finish line, please share the attached ‘I Gave’ graphic across your social media accounts directing your peers to our campaign page [Link to Campaign].
We appreciate your support, and look forward to providing updates on all the great things we’ll be able to accomplish thanks to your generosity.
Subject: We can’t thank you enough for your generosity!
[Salutation],
We are still in awe of the generosity shown to [Organization Name] during 401Gives. On April 1 our organization took part in our local Day of Giving to connect with our community of supporters.
Because of donors like you, we were able to raise [Dollars Raised] to further our mission of [Organization’s Mission]. Each gift made today will play a critical role in allowing us to serve our community and create a larger impact.
We look forward to the future of [Organization Name] with great anticipation as we use funds raised during 401Gives to [Include a quick message including any upcoming projects or how your organization plans to use funds that were raised during the Giving Day.]
Your relationship with [Organization Name] is important to us and we want to share news and updates with you.
Stay connected by [subscribing to our newsletter], and following us on our social media channels.
Facebook -
Twitter -
Instagram -
Linkedin -
We look forward to engaging with you throughout the year and offering ways for you to stay involved with our cause.
“[Include a quote from a leader at your organization about your experience taking part in 401Gives]"
With Gratitude,
[Name]
P.S. Your gift receipt was automatically sent to your email from notifications@givegab.com. If you need a copy of your receipt please reach out to [Insert your organization’s support email] for assistance.
Communications Timeline
Download a Comprehensive Communication Guide to Prepare for 401Gives!
Major Milestones
Month 1
The 401Gives Team will:
- Encourage nonprofits to sign up for 401Gives
- Network with and recruit local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify 401Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters
You should:
- Sign up for 401Gives and customize your profile
- Assemble your 401Gives team and involve them in planning how your 401Gives campaign will complement your annual fundraising strategy
- Attend a webinar to learn about 401Gives, how to promote your 401Gives campaign, and how to recruit and utilize peer-to-peer fundraisers
- Discover all the resources available for you to use in your nonprofit toolkit (email marketing, social media posts, graphics, planning guide, and more!)
Month 2
The 401Gives Team will:
- Work with local newspapers, radio stations, and other media outlets to continue spreading the word to a wider audience about 401Gives
- Continue offering trainings to nonprofits participating in 401Gives, and those interested in the opportunity, on giving day best practices.
- Develop content for nonprofits participating in 401Gives to use, and for use on #401Gives social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.
You should:
- Craft your campaign story. How are you celebrating 401Gives? How will you use the funds raised during 401Gives? Why should donors give to you on 401Gives? Watch our Storytelling Training Video to learn more!
- Recruit fundraising champions for your campaign. You can use your Board, volunteers, or staff!
- Let your volunteers know you’re participating in 401Gives and you need their help in extra special ways! Give them meaningful assignments to fully engage them.
- Develop your messaging plan for the next 2 months to ensure your donors know you are participating in 401Gives on April 1. Download the email and social media timelines in the Nonprofit Toolkit to get a head start!
Month 3
The 401Gives Team will:
- Provide more resources to local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify 401Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters
- Continue promoting 401Gives to nonprofits across the region
You should:
- Send out a save the date email and social media post to all of your supporters! Download the 401Gives “Save the Date” graphic from the Nonprofit Toolkit to make sure your messages stand out!
- Host a fundraising champion kick-off party to teach your fundraising champions best practices on fundraising!
Month 4
The 401Gives Team will:
- Heavily promote 401Gives to all media outlets across the region
- Finalize partnerships with local businesses to benefit every nonprofit participating in 401Gives
You should:
- Post on social media regularly about 401Gives, using the hashtag #401Gives
- Email your supporters with additional details about 401Gives. How do they give? Why should they give? When should they give?
- Ensure your campaign story and messaging are ready to go. Make a test donation to make sure you understand the process.
Day of
The 401Gives Team will:
- Heavily promote 401Gives to all media outlets across the region
- Provide 24-hour support to all nonprofits and their supporters
You should:
- Post on social media regularly about 401Gives, using the hashtag #401Gives
- Email your supporters with updates and how they can help your 401Gives campaign
- Thank your supporters in real-time on social media, in emails, or give them a call!
- Celebrate!
Beyond
The 401Gives Team will:
- Share statistics from 401Gives, including nonprofit success stories, and describe the powerful change that will happen as a result of the generous donations to local nonprofits.
You should:
- Share the results from your 401Gives participation and what those results mean.
- Thank your donors and let them know exactly what their donations mean for your program.
- Send handwritten notes to your fundraising champions and your Board for their assistance.
- Send periodic updates on how the donations you received are being used. Keep your donors engaged by letting them know how their money is benefiting your organization and your cause.
- Engage with your donors on GiveGab after 401Gives by posting volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and hosting events!