In nonprofit organizations, every penny counts, and most of the time there’s a short supply of funds. Yet, the need to engage donors, inspire volunteers, and spread awareness is greater than ever.
How can nonprofits bridge the gap between limited resources and the need for meaningful communication? Email marketing can be a game-changing tool for helping nonprofits amplify their message, nurture relationships, and drive fundraising.
With email marketing, you can create campaigns that build relationships, share thrilling stories, and drive fundraising efforts without breaking the bank. Email marketing gives you the edge to amplify your mission, reach out to loyal donors, update volunteers, or launch a crowdfunding campaign.
One thing is sure, not all email marketing tools have the same features, and Nonprofits have unique needs from managing donor lists to integrating with fundraising platforms, and they deserve software that meets these needs.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best email marketing software for nonprofits. These tools aren’t just great; they’re tailored to help you make every email count and ensure your message reaches the right people at the right time.
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Why Nonprofits Need Email Marketing Software
Nonprofits are all about making a difference but making that difference often requires staying connected with donors, volunteers, and supporters. Email marketing software is a tool that enables organizations to deliver their message effectively without draining resources.
Below is the reason Nonprofits need good email marketing software
- Cost-Effective Communication
Unlike traditional mail or paid advertising, email marketing is the most budget-friendly tool to connect with donors and volunteers, making it perfect for nonprofits with limited funds.
Plus, many email marketing platforms offer discounts or free plans specifically for nonprofits to maximize their reach without overspending.
- Personalized Engagement
Building relationships is at the heart of nonprofit work. With email marketing tools, you can send personalized messages that match your audience’s needs.
- Automation Saves Time
Nonprofits are often run by small teams with multiple responsibilities. Email marketing software will help them automate repetitive tasks, such as sending welcome emails to new subscribers or following up on donations. The automation will allow the team more time to focus on what matters.
- Donor Retention and Fundraising
Email marketing allows you to stay in touch through updates, impact stories, and calls to action. Well-crafted campaigns can inspire donors to contribute regularly and increase overall fundraising outcomes.
- Easy Event Promotion
Email marketing tools make it easy to spread the word, send reminders, and manage RSVPs. You can even use segmentation to target specific groups and ensure the right people get the right information.
- Expanding Your Reach
With email marketing, your message isn’t limited to a local audience. It’s a powerful way to reach supporters across the globe and allow even small nonprofits to amplify their impact far beyond their immediate community.
Features to Look for in Email Marketing Software for Nonprofit Organizations
Choosing the right email marketing software can make work easy for nonprofit organizations. However, not all email marketing platforms are designed with nonprofit needs in mind.
To ensure you’re investing in a tool that supports your mission, here are the key features to prioritize:
- Affordable Pricing and Nonprofit Discounts
Budgets are often tight, so look for platforms with affordable plans or discounts for nonprofits. Many tools provide free plans for small email lists or reduced rates for charitable organizations to help you stretch every dollar further.
- User-Friendly Interface
Time is precious, especially for nonprofit teams with multiple responsibilities. A tool with an intuitive dashboard and drag-and-drop functionality will make it easy to create, send, and manage campaigns without requiring technical expertise from outside the organization.
- Donor Segmentation and List Management
Effective communication starts with targeting the right audience. Look for software that allows you to segment your email list based on factors like donation history, event participation, or geographic location. This ensures personalized messaging that resonates with each group.
- Customizable Email Templates
Creating visually appealing emails shouldn’t be a hassle. You need to choose a platform that offers various customizable templates designed for newsletters, fundraising appeals, event invitations, and thank-you notes.
- Automation and Workflow Management
Automation features are essential for saving time and improving consistency. You need to choose a tool that will enable you to set up automated workflows, such as welcome emails for new subscribers or reminders for recurring donations to simplify your communication efforts.
- Integration with Fundraising Platforms and CRMs
Nonprofits often use additional tools for donor management and fundraising. You need to choose an email marketing software that integrates seamlessly with CRM, fundraising platforms, or other tech stacks in your organization to simplify data management and campaign tracking.
- Scalability
Your nonprofit’s email list will hopefully grow over time. You need a tool that can scale with your needs with options to accommodate larger lists and more advanced features as your organization expands.
Best Email Marketing Software for Nonprofit Organizations
Email marketing helps nonprofit organizations connect with donors, engage supporters, and amplify their impact with a limited budget. But with so many email marketing tools available, finding the right fit for your needs can be tricky.
That’s why we hand-picked the 10 best email marketing software for your nonprofit organization to streamline campaigns, save time, and boost your fundraising efforts.
MailerLite is a versatile and budget-friendly email marketing software for nonprofit organizations to maximize their outreach without draining their funds. With intuitive features, affordable pricing, and nonprofit-specific perks, MailerLite helps organizations connect with their supporters, build meaningful relationships, and amplify their impact.
Using MailerLite, nonprofits can create a visually appealing newsletter to update donors on their impact, send automated donation reminders, and use segmentation to thank high-value contributors. With detailed analytics, they can also tweak future campaigns to engage more donors effectively without hiring additional staff or spending a fortune.
If you’re looking for an email marketing platform that supports your mission and respects your budget, MailerLite should be at the top of your list.
Key Features of MailerLite for Nonprofits
- Affordable Pricing with Nonprofit Discounts
MailerLite is one of the most cost-effective options in the market. Even better, it offers exclusive discounts of 30% off its pricing plans for nonprofits, making it easier for nonprofits to access premium features at a fraction of the cost.
- Intuitive Email Builder
MailerLite’s drag-and-drop email editor allows nonprofits to create beautiful, professional-looking emails in minutes, without hiring technical staff. The platform also provides pre-designed templates for newsletters, donation appeals, and event invitations.
- Audience Segmentation
With MailerLite, nonprofits can segment their email lists based on donor behaviour, location, or event participation. This ensures personalized communication that resonates with supporters and increases engagement.
- Landing Pages and Signup Forms
For nonprofits looking to grow their email lists, MailerLite offers tools to create high-converting landing pages and signup forms. These are perfect for collecting emails during events, on your website, or via social media campaigns.
- Sell Digital Products
With MailerLite, you sell your nonprofit’s digital products, such as ebooks, art prints, T-shirts, car stickers, school bags, and other digital products. With MailerLite, you don’t need to create a different e-commerce platform.
- Integrations with Fundraising Tools
MailerLite integrates seamlessly with popular tools like PayPal, Stripe, and Zapier, enabling nonprofits to streamline their fundraising and donor management processes.
Whether you’re a local charity or global nonprofit, MailerLite grows with your organization with advanced features to meet expanding needs.
GetResponse stands out as a feature-rich platform that caters to both beginner and advanced users. Nonprofits, in particular, benefit from its robust set of tools designed to enhance donor engagement, streamline communications, and drive impactful campaigns. With affordable pricing and nonprofits’ 50% discount benefits, GetResponse is a valuable ally for organizations to expand their reach.
GetResponse’s all-in-one platform equips nonprofits with the tools to communicate effectively, raise funds, and foster lasting relationships with their supporters. With its affordability, automation, and scalability, it’s an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes looking to make a bigger impact.
With GetResponse, nonprofits can create an email series showcasing success stories and their impact, automated workflows to thank new donors, and a landing page for an upcoming fundraiser.
You can also build a web form to collect volunteer signups; nurture relationships through targeted email series and host free webinars to raise awareness about your cause and educate supporters on how they can contribute to your mission.
Key Features of GetResponse for Nonprofits
- Generous Nonprofit Discounts
GetResponse offers exclusive 50% discounts for nonprofit organizations, that allow you to access its suite of powerful tools at a fraction of the regular cost.
- Easy-to-Use Email Builder
The platform features an intuitive drag-and-drop email builder that makes creating eye-catching emails a breeze. Nonprofits can quickly design campaigns for newsletters, fundraising appeals, and event promotions without an expert designer.
- Powerful Automation Features
GetResponse allows Nonprofits to automate donor onboarding, event reminders, and even recurring donation requests. Its advanced workflows also allow you to engage your supporters without constant manual effort.
- Advanced Segmentation and Personalization
With GetResponse, nonprofits can segment their email lists based on donation history, engagement level, or demographics. Combined with personalization options, this ensures that every message is targeted and relevant to its recipients.
- Webinar Hosting
One of GetResponse’s unique features is its webinar hosting capability. Nonprofits can use this to conduct online fundraisers, volunteer training sessions, or awareness campaigns directly through the platform.
HubSpot isn’t just an email marketing tool, it’s a full-fledged customer relationship management (CRM) platform that helps nonprofits streamline their communications, manage donor relationships, and amplify their outreach efforts. With its free CRM, powerful marketing tools, and scalability, HubSpot is a go-to solution for nonprofits to build deeper connections with their supporters while optimizing their processes.
Nonprofits thrive on meaningful relationships with donors, volunteers, and supporters. If you need email marketing software for nonprofit organizations, HubSpot could be your go-to solution.
HubSpot’s email marketing platform combines a powerful CRM, intuitive design tools, and automation features, making it an excellent choice for nonprofits to grow their impact without losing track of their mission.
HubSpot offers a 40% discount to eligible nonprofits, making it easier to access premium features. For smaller organizations, the free CRM and email marketing tools provide a strong foundation at no cost.
However, nonprofits with advanced needs like omnichannel marketing automation or in-depth reporting may need to invest in higher-tier plans.
HubSpot offers nonprofits the perfect blend of simplicity, functionality, and scalability. It empowers organizations to focus on their mission while enhancing their impact.
Key Features of HubSpot for Nonprofits
- Free CRM for Donor Management
HubSpot’s free CRM is a game-changer for nonprofits. It allows you to organize donor data, track communication history, and monitor the progress of your fundraising goals all in one place.
- Marketing Automation
HubSpot’s marketing automation tools simplify repetitive tasks like sending follow-up emails, scheduling thank-you messages, and nurturing relationships with recurring donors.
- Landing Page and Form Builder
HubSpot provides easy-to-use tools for creating landing pages and forms, making it simple to capture supporter information. Nonprofits can use these for event registrations, donation drives, or newsletter signups.
- Integration with Other Platforms
HubSpot integrates with the most popular tools like WordPress, Salesforce, PayPal, and Eventbrite to help nonprofits connect their fundraising and operational systems seamlessly.
Moosend is an excellent choice for nonprofits seeking an affordable yet powerful email marketing platform. Known for its user-friendly interface and cost-effective plans, Moosend provides the essential tools nonprofits need to build connections with supporters, run impactful campaigns, and grow their reach.
Moosend offers 25% off its paid plans for verified nonprofits. This discount applies to monthly and annual subscriptions, making it an even more cost-effective solution for nonprofit organizations to maximize their email marketing efforts.
With its affordable pricing, robust features, and user-friendly design, Moosend makes professional-grade email marketing accessible to nonprofits of all sizes to manage donor outreach, promote events, or send newsletters, Moosend’s robust features and budget-friendly plans can help you connect with supporters and drive meaningful change.
Key Features of Moosend for Nonprofits
- Drag-and-Drop Email Editor
Moosend’s email editor allows nonprofits to create visually appealing campaigns without technical skills. The platform offers numerous customizable templates tailored for newsletters, donation appeals, and event announcements.
- Automation Workflows
Moosend simplifies engagement with automation features that allow nonprofits to send welcome emails to new subscribers, automate thank-you notes to donors, and schedule follow-ups for lapsed donors.
- Segmentation and Personalization
Nonprofits can segment their email lists based on donor activity, demographics, or interests. Combined with Moosend’s other personalization options, this ensures every message is relevant and engaging.
- Integration Capabilities
Moosend integrates seamlessly with platforms like WordPress, CRMs, and other tools nonprofits often use, ensuring smooth operations across systems.
Mailchimp is one of the most popular email marketing software for nonprofit organizations, that gives nonprofits a wide range of features to connect with their supporters, raise funds, and grow their impact.
With its reputation for ease of use and powerful automation tools, Mailchimp is a strong contender for nonprofit organizations to simplify their email marketing efforts. Mailchimp offers nonprofits a 15% discount on paid plans, making it effective and budget-friendly.
With the nonprofit discount, Mailchimp becomes an affordable yet feature-rich solution for organizations of all sizes. Mailchimp’s Multi-channel tools allow nonprofits to expand their message beyond email to maximise outreach.
With its 15% nonprofit discount, customizable campaigns, and multi-channel capabilities, Mailchimp is an excellent choice for organizations to make a bigger difference with their email marketing efforts.
Key Features of Mailchimp for Nonprofits
- Intuitive Email Editor
Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop email builder allows nonprofits to design professional and visually appealing campaigns. You can choose from various premade templates suitable for newsletters, donations, and event promotions.
- Powerful Audience Segmentation
Mailchimp helps nonprofits target the right audience with its advanced segmentation tools. You can create tailored email lists based on factors like donation history, volunteer activity, or event participation to ensure personalized communication.
- Marketing Automation
Mailchimp’s automation features can simplify your nonprofit’s repetitive tasks and enable you to welcome new donors or volunteers automatically, send birthday or milestone emails to supporters or re-engage inactive supporters with timely reminders.
- Multi-Channel Marketing
Beyond email, Mailchimp supports social media posting and ad campaigns, enabling nonprofits to run cohesive, multi-channel outreach efforts from one platform.
- Landing Pages and Signup Forms
Nonprofits can create customizable landing pages and forms to capture new subscribers, promote events, or encourage donations, all without needing a separate tool.
- Integration Options
Mailchimp integrates seamlessly with most platforms, such as WordPress, Salesforce, Eventbrite, and Shopify, making it easier for your nonprofit to connect its tools and manage operations.
Brevo is another versatile and affordable email marketing software for nonprofits to improve communication with supporters, drive engagement, and manage campaigns more efficiently. Brevo offers an all-in-one solution for nonprofits, combining email marketing, automation, SMS, CRM, and analytics in one easy-to-use platform.
With the added benefit of a 15% nonprofit discount, it’s a cost-effective choice to help your nonprofit engage with its supporters and achieve its mission more effectively. Beyond email marketing, Brevo supports SMS, live chat, and CRM functionalities, making it a comprehensive solution for nonprofit communication needs.
Nonprofits can use Brevo’s automation features to create compelling, personalized emails that drive donations. Combine email with SMS reminders to ensure your message reaches supporters. Create landing pages for event registration, and send automated follow-up emails with event details or thank-you messages to participants.
Key Features of Brevo for Nonprofits
- Advanced Automation
Brevo allows nonprofits to set up automated workflows to engage with supporters and donors at the right time. Some examples include automated welcome emails for new subscribers, donor acknowledgement emails after a contribution, and event reminders or follow-ups to keep supporters informed and involved.
- SMS Marketing Integration
Brevo’s inclusion of SMS marketing is a game-changer for nonprofits. They can run email campaigns alongside SMS messages to further engage supporters, reminding them of key events, donation deadlines, or fundraising goals.
- CRM and Marketing Automation
Brevo integrates email marketing with customer relationship management (CRM), making it easier for nonprofits to track supporter interactions, manage contacts, and nurture relationships.
ActiveCampaign is another robust and feature-rich email marketing software for nonprofits to automate their communications, engage supporters, and increase donations. With powerful features like email automation, CRM, segmentation, and analytics, ActiveCampaign can help your nonprofit organizations deliver personalized experiences to your supporters and streamline your communication processes.
Moreover, ActiveCampaign offers a 20% discount for nonprofit organizations, ensuring that nonprofits can take full advantage of its premium features at a fraction of the cost.
Nonprofits can use ActiveCampaign to automate donation appeals and acknowledgement to improve donor retention and boost contributions. ActiveCampaign’s automated workflows can also help nonprofits remind supporters about upcoming events and follow up afterward, to ensure greater attendance and engagement.
Key Features of ActiveCampaign for Nonprofits
- Powerful Email Automation
ActiveCampaign’s automation features are ideal for nonprofits looking to streamline their communication efforts. Nonprofits can automate email sequences for various purposes such as Welcome Series, Donation Acknowledgments, or Event Reminders and Follow-Ups
- CRM and Donor Management
ActiveCampaign’s built-in CRM allows nonprofits to track their supporters and donors through every step of the journey. Whether it’s managing donations, tracking event attendance, or monitoring volunteer participation, the CRM gives nonprofits a clear overview of their interactions and helps them better understand their supporters’ needs.
- SMS Marketing Integration
ActiveCampaign also offers SMS marketing capabilities that enable nonprofits to send text message updates to their supporters. This can be effective for event reminders, donation appeals, or emergency campaigns.
- Landing Pages and Sign-Up Forms
ActiveCampaign offers drag-and-drop tools for creating custom landing pages and sign-up forms. Nonprofits can use these tools to capture new subscribers, promote events, or create donation pages, all without needing coding skills.
Zoho Campaigns is another powerful email marketing software for nonprofits to effectively communicate with their supporters and drive engagement. With various features such as email automation, segmentation, advanced analytics, and integration with Zoho CRM, Zoho Campaigns helps nonprofits optimize their outreach efforts and create meaningful relationships with their donors and volunteers.
Additionally, Zoho Campaigns provides discounts to nonprofit organizations, making it a highly affordable choice for nonprofits with limited budgets. You can contact them here to qualify for a nonprofit discount.
With Zoho, you can automate acknowledgement emails for donations to ensure every donor feels appreciated. Zoho Campaigns also helps manage donation receipts for tax purposes. You can also use automation workflows to send event invitations, reminders, and follow-ups to increase attendance at nonprofit events or webinars.
Key Features of Zoho Campaigns for Nonprofits
- Advanced Segmentation
Zoho Campaigns allows nonprofits to segment their email lists based on various criteria such as donor history, location, and interests. This feature enables nonprofits to send highly targeted and personalized emails that resonate with specific audience groups, improving engagement and conversion rates.
For instance, nonprofits can target lapsed donors with re-engagement campaigns or send volunteer opportunities to individuals based on their previous involvement.
- Integration with Zoho CRM
Zoho Campaigns seamlessly integrates with Zoho CRM, a powerful tool for managing donor relationships. This integration enables nonprofits to sync email marketing efforts with their donor data, allowing for better segmentation, tracking of donor activities, and personalized communication.
- Social Media Integration
Zoho Campaigns allows nonprofits to integrate their email campaigns with social media platforms and enables them to expand their reach and engage with supporters across multiple channels.
Campaign Monitor is an intuitive and feature-rich email marketing platform for nonprofits to build meaningful connections with their supporters. Campaign Monitor is known for its user-friendly interface and powerful automation tools, Campaign Monitor enables nonprofits to send personalized, targeted emails to their donor base, volunteers, and supporters.
It also offers nonprofits a 15% discount on its services, to send messages that move hearts, deepen donor relationships, and inspire action.
Key Features of Campaign Monitor for Nonprofits
- Email Automation and Segmentation
Campaign Monitor offers robust automation capabilities that can help nonprofits automate their email workflows. By setting up automatic responses and segmented email campaigns, nonprofits can ensure timely and relevant communication with their audience.
Campaign Monitor’s segmentation tools allow nonprofits to send targeted messages to specific groups within their audience. This includes segmenting based on donor history, location, interests, and engagement level, ensuring that the right message reaches the right person at the right time.
- Customizable Email Templates
Campaign Monitor offers a range of pre-designed, mobile-responsive email templates that nonprofits can use for newsletters, donation requests, event invitations, and more. These templates are fully customizable to let nonprofits incorporate their branding and craft compelling messages.
- Integration with Other Tools
Campaign Monitor integrates with various third-party tools and platforms, including popular CRM systems, social media channels, and e-commerce platforms. Nonprofits can integrate Campaign Monitor with tools like Salesforce, WordPress, or Shopify to track donations, manage contacts, and boost donor engagement.
- Social Media Integration
Campaign Monitor enables nonprofits to connect their email campaigns to social media platforms to make it easier to share content and encourage followers to engage across multiple channels.
AWeber is a well-established email marketing software for nonprofit organizations to connect with their supporters, raise funds, and promote their causes. Known for its excellent customer service and straightforward email automation tools, AWeber is an excellent choice for organizations of all sizes.
Plus, AWeber offers 3 months Pro for free and a 25% discount after the first 3 months for nonprofit organizations, making it a more affordable option for nonprofits to streamline their email marketing efforts.
With Aweber, your nonprofit can set up automated email workflows to nurture relationships with subscribers and donors and ensure consistent communication.
You can also use AWeber’s event promotion features to send out invitations, reminders, and thank-you emails to event participants. Nonprofits can also automate post-event follow-ups to keep attendees involved.
Key Features of AWeber for Nonprofits
- Drag-and-Drop Email Builder
AWeber’s intuitive drag-and-drop email builder makes it easy as a perfect email marketing software for nonprofit organizations to create professional-looking emails in minutes, even without design experience.
The platform offers various customizable templates designed for nonprofits, including templates for event invitations, donation appeals, newsletters, and volunteer sign-ups. These templates are mobile-optimized, ensuring your emails look great on any device.
- Email Automation
AWeber’s automation tools allow nonprofits to set up triggered emails for specific actions. For example, you can create automated emails that are sent when someone subscribes to your list, donates to your cause, or signs up for an event.
- Segmentation and Personalization
AWeber enables nonprofits to segment their email list based on factors, such as donation history, event attendance, and email engagement. This allows organizations to tailor their messages to specific groups of supporters.
For example, a nonprofit could send exclusive content or special donation requests to long-time donors or customize event invitations for those who’ve attended in the past.
Comparison Table: Choosing the Best Email Marketing Software for Nonprofits
To help you make an informed decision, here’s a comparison table highlighting the key features, pricing, and nonprofit discounts of the top email marketing software. This will allow you to quickly compare what each platform offers, so you can select the one that best fits your nonprofit’s needs and budget.
| Platforms | Nonprofit Discount | Free Plan | Integrations with Other Tools |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | 30% | Yes | Yes |
| GetResponse | 50% | Yes (Free for 30 days) | Yes |
| HubSpot | 40% | Yes | Yes |
| Moosend | 25% | Yes (Free for 30 days) | Yes |
| Mailchimp | 15% | Yes | Yes |
| Brevo | 15% | Yes | Yes |
| ActiveCampaign | 20% | Yes (14 Days) | Yes |
| Zoho Campaigns | 25% | Yes | Yes |
| Campaign Monitor | 15% | Yes (30-day free trial) | Yes |
| AWeber | 25% | Yes (30-day free trial) | Yes |
Bonus Tips for Maximizing Email Marketing Success for Nonprofits
While choosing the right email marketing software is essential, it’s equally important to optimize how you use it. Here are some bonus tips to help nonprofits make the most of their email marketing efforts:
- Segment Your Email List
Segmentation is one of the most powerful tools in email marketing. It allows you to send targeted messages that resonate with specific groups within your audience. For nonprofits, this could mean creating segments based on donor history, event participation, or volunteer status.
- Personalize Your Emails
Personalization goes beyond simply addressing your recipients by their first name. Leverage the data you collect (like past donations, event attendance, or email engagement) to make your emails feel more personal.
Consider sending personalized appeals or updates that reflect your donor’s previous contributions. For example, “Thanks to your generous support, we were able to…” This makes the recipient feel valued and reinforces their connection to your cause.
- Use a Compelling Call to Action (CTA)
Every email you send should have a clear and compelling call to action (CTA). Whether you’re asking for a donation, promoting an event, or encouraging people to volunteer, make sure the action you want the reader to take is easy to find and irresistible.
- Optimize for Mobile Devices
Over 65% of emails are read on mobile devices, so it’s crucial to ensure that your emails are mobile-friendly. Test your emails on various devices and email clients before sending them out. All the email marketing platforms mentioned above offer preview tools that simulate how your email will appear on mobile devices.
- Leverage A/B Testing
A/B testing allows you to experiment with different subject lines, CTAs, or email designs to see what works best for your audience. Even small changes can have a big impact on your email’s performance.
For nonprofits, testing different messaging strategies can help you understand what resonates with your supporters and increase engagement.
Final Thoughts
Email marketing remains one of the most effective and affordable tools for nonprofit organizations to connect with their supporters, engage their community, and drive action. Choosing the right email marketing software for your nonprofit organization is the first step, but it’s the way you use it that truly makes the difference.
By leveraging the power of segmentation, personalization, compelling calls to action, and automation, nonprofits can create impactful campaigns that foster deeper relationships with their audience.
Each of these platforms includes free trials or basic plans, which can further help nonprofit organizations assess their needs before committing.
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