Nonprofit Email Templates & Examples in 2025

A woman on the right-hand side of the image looks happy to be on her laptop. To her right are several fundraising emails floating on a blue background.

Erin Booker

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April 1, 2025

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9 minutes

Nonprofit Trends

Donor Communications

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Emails remain one of the most powerful tools in a nonprofit's digital arsenal to this day, and for good reason. With the right templates, you can transform those meh messages into mighty fundraising machines that connect, convert, and keep your supporters coming back. But you don't need to reinvent the wheel with every email campaign—that's where well-crafted templates come in to save your sanity and supercharge your impact.

Email templates aren't just time-savers; they're relationship-builders that ensure consistency while allowing the flexibility to personalize based on your target audience's needs. Let's dive into the wonderful world of nonprofit email templates and discover how they can elevate your mission communication game.

Types of nonprofit emails

Different goals call for different approaches. Here's a breakdown of the essential email templates every nonprofit should have in their toolkit:

Nonprofit fundraising emails

These are your bread and butter—the emails directly asking supporters to open their hearts (and wallets) for your cause. Effective fundraising emails clearly communicate the need, the impact of donations, and make the giving process ridiculously easy.

A successful fundraising email template includes:

A compelling subject line that creates urgency without screaming desperation
A clear, concise explanation of the need
Specific details about how donations will be used
Personal stories that connect emotionally
A straightforward call-to-action that makes donating simple

For prospective donors, your email might start with an impactful fact that illuminates your mission, followed by a direct explanation of how their support translates to real-world change. For lapsed donors, a "we miss you" approach can rekindle that connection with a gentle reminder of their past impact.

Campaign emails

Effective emails focus on a specific initiative with a defined timeline and goal. These emails build momentum, create excitement, and keep supporters updated on progress.

Your campaign email sequence might include:

A launch announcement that introduces the campaign
Progress updates that celebrate milestones
Final push emails as you approach your deadline
A thank-you and results email once the campaign concludes

Our secret? Creating a narrative arc that invites supporters to be part of an unfolding story. Because it has a natural end, an email marketing campaign email can ramp up the emotion before coming to a compelling conclusion.

Event emails

Whether you're hosting a gala, virtual auction, fun run, or educational webinar, event email sequences stick with supporters through the journey from initial awareness of an upcoming event to post-event engagement.

Your fundraising event email sequence can include some or all of the following:

Save-the-date announcements
Registration information
Reminder emails as the event approaches
Day-of logistics
Post-event thank you and impact reporting

Pro tip: Event emails work best when they build excitement while providing all the practical info your attendees need.

Donor welcome emails

First impressions matter! An email welcome series introduces new supporters to your organization's personality, mission, and impact. They set the tone for your relationship and help newcomers feel immediately connected to your work.

A solid email welcome series:

Expresses genuine appreciation for their interest
Offers a concise introduction to your mission
Provides clear next steps for engagement
Introduces ways to stay connected
Sets expectations for future email communications

This is your chance to make new supporters feel like they've found their people!

Impact emails

Show, don't just tell! Impact emails demonstrate exactly how donor support translates into real-world change. These evidence-based communications build trust and motivate continued giving.

Effective impact emails:

Share specific outcomes and statistics
Tell compelling stories about beneficiaries
Use visuals to illustrate impact
Connect individual donations to collective achievements
Express authentic gratitude

Pro tip: Repurpose stats and stories from your annual report for easy, compelling copy.

Funraise's secret to dynamite nonprofit emails

Did you know? Funraise offers a big bunch of free AI tools for nonprofits, collectively called Appeal AI. Offering everything from email generation to creative fundraising appeals to a nonprofit assistant—and expanding every day—Appeal AI was created with you in mind.

If you need more convincing, take a look at the email templates below—delivered courtesy of Appeal AI!

Dynamic Fundraising Template for Key Events

Subject: Join Us for an Exciting Event to Support [Your Mission]!

Dear [Recipient's Name],

We hope this message finds you well! 🌟

At [your nonprofit], we're thrilled to invite you to our upcoming event, [event name], on [event date]. This exciting occasion is more than just fun and games—it's an opportunity to support our mission of [your mission].

Event Details:

Date: [Event Date]
Time: [Event Time]
Location: [Event Location]

Why Attend?

Enjoy [the purpose of the event].
Support a cause that champions [your constituents].
Participate in fun activities and win exciting prizes!

How You Can Help: Your presence and support are invaluable to us. Here's how you can contribute:

Attend the Event: Bring your friends and family!
Spread the Word: Share our event on social media using #[your hashtag].
Donate: Can't make it? Consider making a donation to support our mission.

Together, we can build a community [that reflects your mission]. We look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Position]

Year-End Campaign Email

Subject: Reflect, Celebrate, and Support [Your] Mission This Year-End

Dear [Recipient's Name],

As we approach the end of the year, we at [your nonprofit] want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared with you. Thanks to your support, we've been able to [what you've done].

Highlights of the Year:

[Highlight 1: e.g., Successful events or programs]
[Highlight 2: e.g., Community growth or impact stories]
[Highlight 3: e.g., New initiatives or partnerships]

Your involvement has been crucial in making all of this possible. As we look forward to another exciting year, we invite you to join us in celebrating our achievements and preparing for the future.

How You Can Support:

Make a Year-End Gift: Your donation will help us continue to [what you do].
Share Your Story: We'd love to hear how [your nonprofit] has impacted you. Reply to this email or share on social media using #[your hashtag].
Spread the Word: Encourage friends and family to join our mission.

Together, we can make a difference and create lasting change. Thank you for being a part of the [your nonprofit] family.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Position]

Engaging Donor Welcome Email for New Supporters

Subject: Welcome to [Your Nonprofit]! 🎉 We're Thrilled to Have You!

Dear [Recipient's Name],

Welcome to the [your nonprofit] family! We're excited to have you join our community of [what you do]

At [your nonprofit], we believe in the power of [what you do] to build connections and foster [what you do]. Your support means the world to us, and we can't wait to see the impact we'll make together.

Here's How You Can Get Involved:

Attend Our Events: Join us [your type of events].
Stay Informed: Follow us on social media and subscribe to our email newsletter for the latest updates.
Share Your Passion: Spread the word about [your nonprofit] and invite friends to join our mission.

We'd love to hear from you! Feel free to reply to this email with any questions, ideas, or just to say hello. Together, we can make a difference and [your mission].

Thank you for being a part of [your nonprofit]. We look forward to an amazing journey together!

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
[Your Position]

Impact Report Email: Sharing Success Stories

Subject: Celebrating Success: [your nonprofit]'s Impact Thanks to You!

Dear [Recipient's Name],

We are thrilled to share with you the meaningful impact that [your nonprofit] has achieved over the past year, all made possible by your unwavering support and enthusiasm. 🌟

Our Success Stories:

Building Community: This year, we hosted [Number] events, bringing together [Number] participants and fostering a sense of belonging for all.
Inclusive Growth: Thanks to your contributions, we've expanded our reach and welcomed [Number] new members into our community.
Empowerment Through Fun: Our events have not only been entertaining but have also facilitated [what you do].

These accomplishments are a testament to the power of community and the shared belief in our mission: "[your mission]"

Looking Ahead: As we continue to grow and evolve, we are excited about the new opportunities and initiatives on the horizon. Your support will be crucial in helping us reach even greater heights.

Thank you for being an essential part of [your nonprofit]. Together, we are creating a world where [your mission].

With gratitude,

[Your Name]
[Your Position]

Ways to make the most of your email templates

Having templates is just the starting point. Here's how to transform those templates into conversion machines:

Thinking about the entire donor experience

Your emails are just a part of achieving your nonprofit organization's fundraising goal. If your potential donors get fired up from your email and then land on a website that thwarts their attempts to donate, what's even the point?

Provide the perfect donor experience with:

Direct links to donation pages
Branded landing pages
Obvious ways to give
A highly-converting donation form
Lots of payment options
An easy way to upgrade to recurring donations
Choices for allocations, anonymity, corporate donation matching, etc.

Did you know? Website visitors who interact with a Funraise donation form complete a donation 50% of the time. (This is a super good conversion rate!)

Email Personalization: making connections matter

Generic emails get generic results. Personalization goes beyond just inserting a first name—it's about creating messages that feel tailor-made for each recipient.

Effective personalization strategies include:

Referencing previous donations or volunteer activities
Acknowledging donor anniversaries
Segmenting email mailing list content based on interest areas
Adjusting ask amounts based on giving history

And guess what, with Funraise AI syncing up with Funraise's tool to send bulk emails for nonprofits, you've got everything you need to automate everything.

Optimizing emails for mobile devices

With over 50% of email opens happening on mobile devices, mobile optimization isn't optional—it's essential. Mobile-unfriendly emails could cost you significant fundraising revenue.

Mobile optimization must-haves:

Responsive design that adapts to screen size
Large, readable fonts
Gorgeous color contrast
Single-column layouts
Thumb-friendly buttons and links
Compact images that load quickly

Test your templates on multiple devices to ensure they're delivering a seamless experience to every supporter, regardless of how they're accessing your messages.

Segmenting your audience for targeted messaging

Not all supporters are the same, so why send them identical emails? Segmentation allows you to deliver messages that resonate with specific groups based on their relationship with your organization.

Effective segments might include:

First-time donors vs. recurring supporters
Event attendees
Volunteers
Board members
Corporate partners
Specific interest groups or donors to specific campaigns

Segmentation saves time, preserves personalization, and allows you to craft messages that speak directly to what motivates different supporter groups. And Funraise's bulk email feature keeps your segments up-to-date without your micromanagement.

Designing visually appealing email layouts

Words matter, but visuals can make those words sing. Your email design should enhance your message, not distract from it.

Email design best practices:

Clean, uncluttered layouts
Consistent branding elements
Strategic use of images that contribute to your message
Accessible color combinations
Clear visual hierarchy that guides the eye
White space that improves readability

Remember, the best design is one that supports your message without calling attention to itself.

Incorporating strong calls to action

Every email should have a clear purpose, and your call to action (CTA) is where that purpose comes to life. Vague or buried CTAs lead to missed opportunities.

Effective CTAs:

Use action-oriented language
Create appropriate urgency
Stand out visually
Make the next step crystal clear
Reduce friction in the conversion process

Whether you're making donation requests, event registrations, or volunteer sign-ups, your CTA should make taking action irresistibly easy.

Utilizing A/B testing for improved engagement

Don't guess what works—test it! A/B testing lets you try different approaches and learn what resonates with your audience.

Elements worth testing include:

Subject lines
Sender names
Email length
CTA button colors and text
Image selection
Message framing

Each test provides insights that can improve future campaigns and help you understand your supporters better.

Leveraging social proof in email campaigns

Humans are social creatures who look to others when making decisions. Social proof elements show potential supporters that others like them have already joined your cause.

Effective social proof includes:

Testimonials from donors or beneficiaries
Progress thermometers showing campaign performance
Statistics about your supporter community
Recognition of corporate or community partners
Highlighted social media engagement

When people see others supporting your cause, they're more likely to join in.

Crafting subject lines that grab attention

Your amazing email content means nothing if no one opens it. Subject lines are your first (and sometimes only) chance to break through inbox clutter.

Compelling subject lines:

Create appropriate urgency
Spark curiosity
Offer clear value
Use statistics that surprise or inspire
Stay under 50 characters when possible
Avoid CAPS, excessive punctuation, and spam triggers

Test different approaches to find what motivates your unique audience to click.

Benefits of great nonprofit emails

When done right, email templates deliver measurable benefits beyond just saving time:

Following up on abandoned donations

Cart abandonment isn't just for online retailers. Supporters often start donation processes but don't complete them. Automated follow-up emails can recover these potential donations.

Effective abandonment follow-ups:

Send within 24 hours of the abandoned donation
Remind donors of the meaningful impact they were about to make
Address potential concerns or technical issues
Provide an easy way to complete the donation
Include alternative ways to give if the original method was problematic

These recovery emails can significantly increase your conversion rate with minimal additional effort.

Highlighting volunteer opportunities in emails

Supporters can contribute more than money. Well-crafted volunteer recruitment emails connect passionate people with opportunities to give their time and skills.

Effective volunteer emails:

Clearly outline the need and meaningful impact
Specify time commitments and requirements
Highlight benefits to both the cause and the volunteer
Make the sign-up process straightforward
Include testimonials from current volunteers

When you think about the fact that today's volunteer could become tomorrow's donor, board member, or essential staff, it makes sense to use a top-of-the-line volunteer management platform like POINT, which coincidentally integrates with Funraise's email marketing platform!

In fact, Madison Mikhal Bush, CEO and Founder of POINT, gives some advice in a conversation on turning volunteers into donors in a conversation with Justin Wheeler, CEO and Co-founder of Funraise.

"If you're trying to create a tactic that helps the momentum that turns volunteers into donors, you need to do two things: first, you need to build really clear connection and appreciation into the volunteer experience. Secondly... you want to create a very clear and accessible donation appeal."

Building donor relationships through regular updates

Consistent communication builds trust and keeps your organization top-of-mind. Regular updates transform one-time supporters into long-term advocates.

Relationship-building emails include:

Monthly or quarterly nonprofit email newsletter examples
Behind-the-scenes glimpses of your work
Staff or beneficiary spotlights
Timely responses to relevant news or developments
Celebration of organizational milestones

The key to building long-term relationships is providing value in every communication, not just asking for support.

Encouraging monthly giving through email templates

Monthly donors provide reliable income that helps you plan and grow. Strategic emails can convert one-time givers into sustaining supporters.

Monthly giving emails should:

Emphasize the lasting impact of recurring gifts
Highlight the convenience for the donor
Offer exclusive benefits for monthly supporters
Share stories of what consistent support enables
Make the sign-up process ridiculously simple

Pro tip: Funraise's built-in bulk email feature makes it easy to set up these automated conversion sequences without extra work on your part.

Examples of great nonprofit emails

Email templates aren't about putting your communications on autopilot—they're about creating a consistent framework that lets your organization's unique personality and urgent mission shine through. With the right templates and email marketing strategies, your 2025 email campaigns can build stronger relationships, drive more donations, and ultimately create more lasting impact for the communities you serve.

Here are some nonprofit email examples. Take a look!

Call to Action from Executive Director

Subject: A Historic Stand for Our Community

Coming at a crucial moment for nonprofits, The Center LA chose to focus on the active steps they're taking to move forward and to include email recipients in their celebration through video. They didn't forget the ask, either! Check out that rainbow banner at the bottom.

Chicago Chess Center

In a complete pivot from The Center LA's (much-loved) rainbow branding, we have the Chicago Chess Center. Sticking with the classic, understated color scheme of black and white works for the CCC. Not only does it reflect their love of the game, but it ensures that all eyes stay on the message within the email.

Nonprofit Newsletter

Subject: House Rules Newsletter

Funraise customer New Story does a great job of balancing need-to-know with wanna-know-about in their newsletter. Starting with stats, moving to graphs, and including BTS nuggets about their team, New Story brings donors into their world and ends with the softest of asks.

Subject: Celebrating Women and Nonbinary Leaders

This email is like a party in a picnic basket! Equity in the Center's newsletter features books, memes, news, resources, jobs, all hand-picked for their bought-in donor base. It's like a bouquet of your favorite flowers, delivered to your inbox.

Meaningful Impact Report and Ask

Subject: We made big promises.

One of our favorites, The Bloc in Chicago is consistently a delight when it comes to content. Maybe it's the kids, maybe it's the firm focus on celebrating their constituents. Either way, this email draws donors in.

Subject: Meet Rainbow: One of the faces of no-kill 🐶

More delightful images! This time, Best Friends Animal Society gives us updates on cute puppies in between a restating of their vision and a reminder of how they're counting down to mission completion.

Year-End Campaign

Subject: Double Your Impact in December: Support Our Crucial Work in the Gran Chaco 🌳🌍

With a subject line like that, there's no doubt what this email's goal is! Fundación Avina's CEO uses warm language, cultural touchstones, and colorful, exciting images to spread the word about their year-end donor matching campaign.

The Arrow Fund

As the opening line of the email says, "2024... that's a wrap." The Arrow Fund dives right into it with an email header image that breaks down all their tangible impact stats before delivering dozens of adorable images from the past year.

Recurring Donor Upgrade

Subject: Your Monthly Gift Stops Trafficking in Its Tracks

Knowing, as we do, that a $5 monthly donor gives more than a $50 one-time donor, it makes sense to send emails specifically designed to upgrade supporters. Ride My Road gets right to the heart of their mission with an immediate stat followed by a quick ask to become a monthly donor.

The Arrow Fund

If there's one thing that would get us to upgrade to a monthly gift, it's a one-eyed German Shepherd. And lo and behold, The Arrow Fund comes through with just that.

Matching Gift Ask

Subject: Emergency: The Center's Funding Is Under Attack

This is a perfect example of an email using a matching gift to bring in generous donations. The Center LA names their matching donor, the matching amount, and calls for an immediate response.

Subject: Will your employer match your donation?

Another perfect example, but this time for employer or corporate matching. Zawadisha even uses a pre-drawn diagram in the header image of the email to get the point across before the reader even gets into the email.

Virtual or In-Person Event Invite

Subject: AFTS You are Invited!

Art From the Streets is making it clear as day that they're hosting an event, they're raising $75K, and "Tickets are ALMOST SOLD OUT." Ok, geez, we get it. Combined with a good design, this email should see certain success.

Subject: Donate $1 or more for a chance to win! 💜

This email promoting the annual virtual Stream-A-Thon event benefitting Point of Pride does double duty by giving readers all the info to tune into the event while sweetening the deal with a chance to win a sticker pack with every early donation.

And remember, with Funraise's built-in bulk email features, implementing these templates and strategies becomes dramatically simpler. You can focus on crafting the perfect message while Funraise handles the technical details—that's what we call a win-win!

Mobile phone with donation form and donation charts floating around the phone.

Woman looking at fundraising chart with button to book a call.

Yellow shapes in background with donation form in front with stylized text, build an intelligence giving experience.

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Nonprofit Email Template FAQ

How often should we send emails to our supporters?

The right frequency depends on your audience and types of content. Most nonprofits find success with 2-4 emails per month, with additional messages during campaigns or emergencies. The key is consistency and providing value in every message.

Should we use HTML or plain text emails?

A mix of both works best. HTML emails allow for visual appeal and tracking, while occasional plain-text messages can feel more personal and direct. Test both approaches with your audience to see what resonates.

How can we improve our email open rates?

Focus on crafting compelling subject lines, sending from a recognized name, optimizing send times based on your audience's habits, and regularly cleaning your email list to remove inactive email subscribers.

What metrics should we track for our email campaigns?

Key metrics include open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, unsubscribe rates, and overall ROI. Look beyond individual metrics to understand the full picture of your email performance.

How do we create donor personas for better email targeting?

Build personas based on donation history, engagement patterns, demographic information, and survey responses. Include details about occupation, income, location, interests, motivations, and challenges to create a comprehensive picture of different supporter segments.

How can we use nonprofit marketing automations without losing the personal touch?

Use nonprofit marketing automations for timing and delivery while ensuring content feels authentically human. Segment your audience for more relevant messaging, use conversational language, and include personalized emails based on donor history and preferences.