Email fundraising is one of the most potent tools nonprofits can benefit from to raise donations. Fundraising emails help nonprofits raise a significant part of their online revenue.
So, whether you prepare for a holiday appeal or a last-minute campaign push, a well-crafted and concise fundraising email can make the difference between achieving your goal and falling short.
This blog post will share proven fundraising email templates along with seven critical writing tips to help you create fundraising emails that raise donations by increasing open rates, boosting conversions, and connecting with your supporters.
Let’s help you make your fundraising campaigns successful with less stress.
Why Do Fundraising Emails Matter?
In reality, fundraising emails can help raise thousands in a few hours. Fortunately, non-profit emails have an encouraging 28.59% open rate. The open rate is an essential indicator of your supporters’ engagement with your cause.
That engagement is crucial—your appeals, campaign updates, and impact reports are of no use if potential and current donors don’t open them.
High open rates suggest you have done a remarkable job of delivering emails that help attract donors’ consideration and motivate them to read what you want to say. If you’re going to create fundraising emails that reap rewards, you should not underestimate their importance.
7 Tips for Writing Fundraising Emails That Impact
Your message must be impactful and stand out from other messages in a crowded inbox. These simple yet practical tips will allow you to craft well-written fundraising emails that trigger action.
1. Lead With Emotion or a Captivating Story
Begin with a brief, true story, such as the child who received a scholarship or the animals rescued thanks to donors. Emotion helps develop a connection rapidly.
“Last winter, Mike spent the holidays in a shelter. He’s safe in a warm house because of generous supporters like you this year.”
2. Use a Strong, Clear Subject Line
Undoubtedly, the subject line primarily works as the first impression. Therefore, you must utilize an action-oriented language that drives urgency or curiosity. Here are a few examples that help you understand the significance of an impactful subject line:
- “Your Gift Today Gives Hope Tomorrow”
- “You Helped Us achieve 75% of Our Goal. Let’s Finish on a High Note”
3. Keep It Personal
There is no harm in using the recipient’s name and referencing their prior involvement to build a sense of connection effectively. Furthermore, you must customize your message to suggest what is crucial to each donor segment, such as giving levels or past event attendance. Personal association enables supporters to feel valued, seen, and more persuaded to give again.
This is one of the more effective ways to create fundraising emails that drive results and offer deliverables in the form of increased open rates and donations.
4. Make Your Ask Clear
You must be articulate about what you want to ask and the reason behind it. A clear and direct request can allow a donor to discover the impact of their donations and encourage them to contribute moving forward. A simple example is given below:
“Would you mind giving $40 to let us support art supplies for 70 students?”
5. Include Social Proof
Including social proof helps you improve the credibility of your fundraising campaigns. Therefore, you must regularly acknowledge your current and prospective donors by highlighting key statistics, testimonials, and donor stories.
When building trust and long-term donor relationships, this kind of validation comes in handy. For example, “Thanks to donors like [first name], we are in the middle of reaching our $20,000 goal”. Use social proof and create fundraising emails that are powerful and result-oriented.
6. Use One Clear CTA
Using one clear CTA is highly recommended. For instance, you should place a “Donate Now” or a donation link in fundraising emails. You should not confuse donors by giving various options at once. In this situation, a clear and single CTA helps increase the likelihood of a donation.
Your CTA should be easily discoverable by donors. You must use simple language. For example, “Click here to help us achieve our objective by midnight: [donation link]”.
Once you start using CTAs in your emails appropriately, you can follow the same technique in crafting random emails for fundraising.
7. Follow Up with Timely Reminders
Following up with existing and new donors helps improve the chances of a donation. Therefore, sending a follow-up email after two to three days is crucial. Besides, you must send a final email on the last day to help increase donations.
Through timely reminders, you prevent your donors from forgetting your fundraising campaigns, enabling them to take appropriate actions before the deadline.
Use phrases in your follow-up emails that trigger emotions and entice donors to support your noble cause. For instance, you can use this template: “Time is running out. Every gift counts –help us close the gap by tonight”.
After creating and sending fundraising emails, be sure to send follow-up emails to your donors.
Fundraising Email Templates You Should Use
You can benefit from the following helpful fundraising email templates when making your new marketing campaign results-driven:
1. Seasonal Appeal Email
You can leverage the seasonal appeal email for holiday or year-end fundraising. In this regard, you must adjust your tone for the winter holidays, Thanksgiving, or the New Year.
Subject: Help Us Share the Spirit This Season
Hi [Name],
The holidays are a time of giving, reflection, and joy. This year, we have invited you to be part of something meaningful.
Your gift of [Amount] can help us [impact – e.g., provide meals for local families, support education, etc.].
Every donation drives us to reach our goal of $[Goal] by [Date].
[Donate Now Button or Link]
Thank you for trusting our mission. Your support means a lot and makes an invaluable difference.
Warmly,
[Your Organization Name]
2. Peer-to-Peer Ask Email
The peer-to-peer ask emails play a crucial role in making donation efforts successful. Moreover, you must include a short video, a fundraising poster, or share on social media if available. You can try this template to create fundraising emails that motivate current or new donors to take action.
Subject: I’m Fundraising for [Cause Name] – Will You Support?
Hi [Name],
I have been a part of [Organization Name]’s fundraising campaign since I deeply support [mission or cause].
I am following a personal goal of raising $[Goal] by [Date], and I’d feel proud if you’d consider donating. Even $5 can be decisive.
[Support My Campaign Button or Link]
Thank you from the bottom of my heart – your support helps make real change in reality.
With gratitude,
[Supporter’s Name]
3. Urgent Campaign Update Email
When meeting deadline-based fundraising goals, take advantage of this email template. Your tone should convey urgency and include a real-time progress bar supported by your platform.
Subject: We’re 80% There – Will You Support Us to Cross the Finish Line?
Hi [Name],
We have done almost all the hard work. With [X hours/days] remaining, we’re 80% of the way to reach our $[Goal] target.
Your gift right now could help us achieve the milestone.
[Donate Now to Help Us Meet Our Goal]
Every dollar counts and helps our work in [area – e.g., hunger relief, cancer research, school arts,].
Let’s finish on a high note – thank you for contributing to this community.
[Organization Name]
4. Use a Powerful E-Commerce Donation Plugin
Use Donation for WooCommerce, an impressive WooComerce plugin, to deliver automatic thank-you emails after each donation. Moreover, it helps send customized e-card templates, building effective donor relationships through timely communication.
Wrapping Up
An enticing and results-driven fundraising email can help you attain your campaign goals faster than you can imagine. In this situation, you need to follow the right strategy that comprises clarity and personalization to make your potential donation emails inspiring, deepening donor engagement considerably.
With the right message and proper tools, your potential fundraising email campaign can help you reap rewards in the shape of an increased donor base and donations. Create fundraising emails that can supercharge your donation efforts in the right direction.
Start launching your next fundraising campaign with confidence and ease.
