Nonprofit Newsletter Ideas

As a nonprofit, you need to keep an eye out for opportunities to raise awareness and support for your cause—as well as chances to bring in donation revenue to fund projects.

To engage your audience, you need to consistently provide compelling content that will inspire, excite, and re-engage readers with your purpose.

While you can use platforms like social media to stay connected, few marketing channels are as effective at relationship-building as email marketing. That's because an algorithm isn't controlling who sees your content and when.

What is a Nonprofit Newsletter?

A nonprofit newsletter is a regularly distributed publication, usually via email, that keeps subscribers informed about an organization's activities, impact, and opportunities to get involved. It's a direct line of communication to your stakeholders, including volunteers and potential donors.

Instead of missing opportunities on social media, you can communicate powerful messages, stay top-of-mind, and track your audience's response to your messages. By analyzing your open rates, click-through rates (CTR), and your best time to send a newsletter, you can optimize your messages and measure how well your emails are performing over time.

A nonprofit newsletter can help you:

• Share important news about your organization
• Gain more volunteers for your programs
• Maximize donations from loyal contributors
• Create a stronger connection with your readers

Example of a Nonprofit Newsletter

One great example of an effective nonprofit newsletter comes from charity: water. This organization invests time and effort in telling powerful stories from the field, emphasizing these stories across all their channels.

Their email newsletter features a captivating image as well as a short write-up that demonstrates what the linked article is about—enticing readers to keep reading. They also include a clear link to where subscribers can view the article in full.

By featuring these stories in their donation newsletters, readers can see their contribution within a broader context. This kind of storytelling helps subscribers connect emotionally with the cause, making it feel like their cause.

Benefits of Creating a Nonprofit Newsletter

Keeps Supporters Engaged and Informed

A nonprofit newsletter offers an easy way to communicate with the people in your network regularly. When you're consistent, your readers will recognize you, which reduces the chance of your email ending up in the trash or spam folder.

Your supporters want to know about your successes and the impact you're making. What did your nonprofit organization recently achieve? Let your audience in on recent happenings and how you're fulfilling your mission to connect donors with your fundraising goals.

Provides Opportunities for Calls-to-Action

Every newsletter you send is an opportunity to make a compelling call to action. While the standard appeal is to make a donation, don't forget to feature other ways of getting involved.

Present readers with specific ways to volunteer and why their service is important. Then direct potential volunteers to your website to learn more and sign up.

You can also use your newsletter to promote upcoming events. Let your audience know all the exciting details about your next fundraiser or gala - location, special guests, fun activities... Convince them it's not an event to be missed!

Builds Trust and Credibility

Newsletters help establish your nonprofit as a reliable source of information and a leader in your field. When you share relevant news articles, insightful blog posts, or impactful stories, you demonstrate your expertise and commitment to your cause.

This positions your organization as a trusted resource, fostering a sense of community and loyalty among your supporters. As you nurture this relationship, your readers will be more likely to engage with your content, participate in your events, and contribute to your campaigns.

Helps with Donor Retention

Many nonprofits make the mistake of focusing only on acquiring new donors, putting existing donors on the back burner. The key to healthy donor stewardship is to build meaningful relationships with new donors, so they turn into long-term, loyal supporters.

Donor spotlights are an easy and effective newsletter technique to help with donor retention. Focus on people who have made a special contribution to your organization. Maybe it's a high-level donor or a committed member of your community.

The spotlight should demonstrate the achievements you've reached together. This gesture will show your appreciation of current donors while inspiring others to contribute.

Key Elements of a Compelling Nonprofit Newsletter

Engaging Headlines and Subject Lines

The first thing readers see is your email subject line. It can make or break their decision to open your email. Craft subject lines that are eye-catching, but short and sweet.

With more email opens coming from mobile devices, try to keep your subject line to 25–40 characters long. When in doubt, shorten the subject line as much as possible.

For extra personality and eye-catchiness, include an emoji. While their impact on open rates are inconclusive, some testers find that they raise CTR by over 60%. Emojis convey emotions and make a statement while keeping your subject line brief.

Once readers open your email, you need to maintain their attention with a memorable headline.

Compelling Storytelling

Regardless of your cause, storytelling should be at the heart of all your content marketing efforts. Stories help you engage emotionally with your readers, making your cause feel like their cause.

Use impactful storytelling to catch their attention and heartstrings. Your primary intention is to show your audience HOW their donations are making a difference. Don't limit yourself to just text - remember the power a photo can have by putting a face to your cause.

Sharing this kind of content may increase support for your organization or re-engage inactive subscribers. Compelling content has the power to turn subscribers into volunteers and donors.

Clear Calls-to-Action

The goal of your newsletter is to generate engagement. Make it easy for your supporters to continue their learning journey or get involved with your brand. Include clear call to actions (CTAs) and relevant links so they know what to do next.

Every time you communicate, you should have a clear message and goal. When planning how to write your newsletter, first clarify your message and the next steps the audience should take.

Consider including newsletter links to:

• Blog posts with new ideas on getting involved
• A volunteer signup page for an event or program
• Informative podcast interviews with a founder or team member
• Day-to-day videos that demonstrate the work being done by your programs
• A fundraising or donations page where they can make a contribution
• Your website where supporters can learn more about your mission

Visually Appealing Design

To ensure your audience doesn't simply ignore your emails, be intentional about your email design and newsletter branding. Include ample white space and make sure your logo is visible.

Maintain a consistent and professional email experience by always following your visual branding guidelines. You can easily stay on-brand by customizing your color palette and selecting up to five signature brand colors.

Also, keep your reader's screen size in mind. Create a mobile responsive design, ensuring your email looks just as great on a mobile device as it will on a desktop.

Relevant and Valuable Content

If your nonprofit newsletter continually asks for money and volunteers without doing much else, you can expect readers to unsubscribe. Your readers' time is valuable to them. While the occasional call for volunteers or donations is OK, those emails only work if you've already nurtured a relationship with your readers.

Frequently using your email to provide valuable content is a good way to ensure you offer value to your readers. In fact, 87% of marketers use email marketing to promote their content.

10 Nonprofit Newsletter Content Ideas

Share Success Stories and Impact

Inspire your readers with real-life examples of how your organization has made a difference. Highlight a recent project or initiative that achieved significant results, and explain how it aligns with your mission. Use storytelling techniques to create an emotional connection and show the human side of your work.

Highlight Upcoming Events and Opportunities

Keep your subscribers informed about future events, fundraisers, and volunteer opportunities. Provide clear details about dates, locations, and how to get involved. Create a sense of excitement and urgency to encourage participation.

Spotlight Volunteers and Donors

Recognize the contributions of your dedicated volunteers and generous donors. Share their stories, motivations, and the impact they've made. This not only shows appreciation but also inspires others to support your cause.

Provide Educational Resources and Tips

Position your newsletter as a valuable resource by sharing informative content related to your cause. This could include expert advice, how-to guides, or thought-provoking articles. Aim to educate and empower your readers to take action in their own lives.

Share Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses

Give your subscribers an exclusive look at the inner workings of your organization. Share photos and stories from the field, introduce staff members, or showcase the day-to-day activities that make your work possible. This transparency builds trust and strengthens the connection with your audience.

Curate Relevant News and Articles

Keep your readers informed about the latest developments in your field by curating relevant news articles, research findings, or industry updates. Add your own commentary to provide context and explain how these developments relate to your mission.

Showcase Partnerships and Collaborations

Highlight the power of collaboration by featuring your partnerships with other organizations, businesses, or influencers. Explain how these collaborations amplify your impact and create synergy in addressing shared goals.

Report on Fundraising Progress and Goals

Keep your supporters engaged by providing regular updates on your fundraising efforts. Share progress towards specific goals, celebrate milestones, and express gratitude for the contributions that make your work possible. Be transparent about how funds are being used and the difference they're making.

Offer Exclusive Perks or Discounts

Reward your newsletter subscribers with special offers, discounts, or early access to events or resources. This could include exclusive content, merchandise, or experiences that are only available to your email community. These perks create a sense of exclusivity and encourage ongoing engagement.

Include a Personal Message from Leadership

Foster a personal connection with your readers by including a message from your executive director, board chair, or another key leader. This could be a reflection on recent achievements, a vision for the future, or a heartfelt thank you to supporters. These personal touches humanize your organization and reinforce the importance of your mission.

How Often Should You Send Your Nonprofit Newsletter?

The frequency of your nonprofit newsletter depends on several factors, including your organization's size, resources, and communication goals. Here are some common options to consider:

Monthly

Sending a monthly newsletter is a popular choice for many nonprofits. This frequency allows you to maintain regular contact with your subscribers without overwhelming them. A monthly newsletter gives you enough time to gather compelling content, such as impact stories, event updates, and fundraising progress reports. It also helps you stay top-of-mind with your supporters and keeps them engaged with your mission.

Quarterly

If your nonprofit has limited resources or a smaller pool of content to share, a quarterly newsletter may be a more manageable option. This frequency allows you to provide more in-depth updates and stories, showcasing the cumulative impact of your work over a three-month period. Quarterly newsletters can be longer and more comprehensive than monthly editions, giving you the opportunity to include multiple stories, photos, and calls-to-action.

Bi-annually

For some nonprofits, sending a newsletter twice a year may be sufficient. This frequency is particularly suitable if your organization has a specific focus or campaign that aligns with particular seasons or events. For example, if your nonprofit works on education initiatives, you may choose to send newsletters at the beginning and end of the school year. Bi-annual newsletters can be used to provide high-level updates, recap major achievements, and set the stage for upcoming initiatives.

Ultimately, the key is to find a frequency that aligns with your nonprofit's capacity and communication strategy. Consistency is more important than frequency. It's better to send a well-crafted newsletter on a predictable schedule than to overcommit and struggle to maintain quality or regularity.

To determine the best frequency for your nonprofit, consider surveying your subscribers to gauge their preferences. You can also experiment with different frequencies and monitor engagement metrics, such as open rates and click-through rates, to see what resonates best with your audience.

Remember, your nonprofit newsletter is a powerful tool for building relationships, inspiring action, and driving support for your cause. Crafting compelling subject lines , designing visually appealing layouts , and segmenting your email list can help you maximize the impact of your newsletter, no matter how often you send it.

Best Practices for Creating an Engaging Nonprofit Newsletter

Know Your Audience and Their Preferences

Understanding your subscribers is key to creating a newsletter they'll look forward to receiving. Take the time to research your audience's demographics, interests, and preferences. You can gather this information through surveys, feedback forms, or by analyzing engagement data from previous newsletters. Use these insights to tailor your content, tone, and design to resonate with your readers.

Keep a Consistent Sending Schedule

Consistency builds trust and anticipation. Establish a regular sending schedule for your nonprofit newsletter, whether it's weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Communicate this schedule to your subscribers so they know when to expect your emails. Stick to your schedule as much as possible to maintain a reliable presence in your readers' inboxes.

Segment Your Email List for Targeted Messaging

Not all subscribers have the same interests or engagement levels. Segmenting your email list allows you to send targeted messages to specific groups based on factors like donation history, event attendance, or volunteer involvement. This personalized approach increases the relevance of your content and improves engagement rates.

Make it Easy to Read and Navigate

Your newsletter should be easy on the eyes and simple to navigate. Use a clean, uncluttered layout with plenty of white space. Break up your content into short paragraphs, subheadings, and bullet points for better readability. Include a table of contents or clear section dividers to help readers find the information they're most interested in.

Optimize for Mobile Devices

With more people accessing emails on their smartphones, it's important to ensure your nonprofit newsletter is mobile-friendly. Use a responsive design that adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions. Keep your subject lines concise, and place your most important content and calls-to-action above the fold for easy viewing on smaller screens.

Include a Clear Call-to-Action in Every Issue

Each newsletter should have a specific purpose and a clear call-to-action (CTA) that encourages readers to take the next step. Whether it's donating, volunteering, attending an event, or sharing your content, make sure your CTA stands out and is easy to follow. Use action-oriented language and prominent buttons or links to guide readers towards your desired action.

Analyze Your Metrics and Adjust Accordingly

Tracking and analyzing your newsletter's performance metrics is essential for continuous improvement. Monitor key indicators like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to gauge the effectiveness of your content and design. Use these insights to make data-driven decisions and refine your approach over time. Regularly review your metrics and be open to making adjustments based on what resonates best with your audience.

How to Grow Your Nonprofit Newsletter Subscriber List

Growing your nonprofit newsletter subscriber list is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and strategic planning. A larger subscriber base means more opportunities to engage supporters, drive donations, and further your mission. Here are some effective strategies to attract new subscribers and expand your reach.

Add Sign-Up Forms to Your Website and Social Media

Make it easy for visitors to subscribe to your newsletter by prominently displaying sign-up forms on your website and social media profiles. Place the form in high-traffic areas, such as your homepage, blog sidebar, or footer. Keep the form short and simple, asking only for essential information like name and email address. Use clear and compelling language to communicate the benefits of subscribing, such as staying informed about your cause and learning how to get involved.

Offer a Lead Magnet or Incentive for Subscribing

Incentivize people to join your email list by offering a valuable lead magnet or incentive in exchange for their subscription. This could be an exclusive resource, such as an e-book, toolkit, or guide related to your nonprofit's mission. It could also be a discount code for your online store or a free ticket to an upcoming event. Promote your lead magnet on your website, social media, and other marketing channels to attract new subscribers who are interested in your content.

Promote Your Newsletter at Events and in Print Materials

Leverage your nonprofit's offline presence to promote your newsletter and gather new subscribers. At events, such as fundraisers, workshops, or community gatherings, set up a sign-up sheet or provide a tablet where attendees can easily subscribe. Include a call-to-action to join your email list in your print materials, such as brochures, flyers, or annual reports. Highlight the value of your newsletter and the impact subscribers can make by staying connected to your organization.

Encourage Subscribers to Forward and Share

Your current subscribers can be powerful ambassadors for your nonprofit newsletter. Encourage them to forward your emails to friends, family, and colleagues who might be interested in your cause. Include social sharing buttons in your newsletter template to make it easy for readers to share your content on their social media profiles. Consider implementing a referral program where subscribers earn rewards or recognition for successfully recruiting new members to your email list.

Run a Contest or Giveaway for New Subscribers

Create excitement and urgency around joining your nonprofit newsletter by running a contest or giveaway exclusively for new subscribers. Promote the contest on your website, social media, and other channels, emphasizing the attractive prizes or experiences up for grabs. Make sure the prizes align with your nonprofit's mission and appeal to your target audience. Set a clear deadline for entry and use email automation to welcome new subscribers and keep them engaged after the contest ends.

Kajabi streamlines the process of creating, managing, and distributing a nonprofit newsletter, addressing your need for effective and engaging communication. With its user-friendly platform, you can easily design visually appealing newsletters, track engagement metrics, and grow your subscriber list with robust tools. Try Kajabi free for 14 days.

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