Physical newsletters can be a powerful fundraising tool for nonprofit organizations. The low costs and ease of distribution of these conversation starters make newsletters extremely attractive for organizations of all sizes. Creating a print newsletter for nonprofit organizations doesn’t have to be difficult. You can start by telling the story of your nonprofit in a compelling way that draws your readers in and encourages them to take action — such as offering recurring donations for your group.
How Print Newsletters Drive Recurring Donations
The secret to great fundraising is reminding your audience of the work that you’re doing and where their money goes so they will continue supporting your efforts. The world is an incredibly busy place, and it’s all too easy for your audience to forget about your needs and move on to the next pressing problem in their world. When you create a newsletter and continue sending updates to your constituents, you are reinforcing the interest levels and keeping people engaged . . . and giving! It is also good to try some printed direct mail updates to supplement your newsletters. It’s helpful to offer information in multiple formats so you can reach audience members where their content consumption occurs.
What to Share in An Organization Newsletter
When writing your newsletter, remember to keep it short and sweet. You’re not trying to recap everything that has happened since the last newsletter. Instead, think about 2-5 stories that really stand out in the recent past. This could be everything from helping a specific individual or group, the impact that your product fundraising is having, updates about the benefits of recurring donations to the organization — anything that might be interesting for people to learn.
Additionally, be sure to steer clear of any negative or controversial topics. People want to make a donation and feel good about the action. When your readers are able to associate the great work that your nonprofit is doing in the world with their contribution, they are often compelled to continue giving in the future.
Always Include This One Simple Item
There are plenty of fundraising newsletter examples that you can find, but there is a single element that sometimes gets overlooked — a simple ‘Thank You’ for your audience. Your readers need to know that you care enough to say thanks for the work that they do to support your nonprofit. Without their assistance, it’s unlikely you would have the funds needed to keep your projects moving forward! Sometimes, all people want is to be appreciated and that’s enough to keep their donations flowing in the future.
Quick Recap of Newsletter Use
When you are ready to create an organization’s newsletter, here’s what you need to keep in mind — particularly if you’re focused around product fundraising or are trying to garner recurring donations.
- Know what you should be sharing in a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly newsletter
- Don’t be afraid to use a call to action asking for donations
- See the power of recurring donations for your nonprofit
- Always say ‘Thank You’ to your audience
It’s not difficult to create a nonprofit fundraising newsletter for your organization, but it does require dedication to keep this type of activity moving forward. Be sure you aren’t overwhelming your audience, too. For most nonprofit organizations, having a newsletter that comes out every two weeks provides plenty of information without feeling invasive for your readers.
When you work with the professionals at Ballantine, you can be confident that you’re gaining access to knowledgeable professionals who can help boost your fundraising and provide great feedback on your strategies. Contact our team today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
I'm the Director of Digital Services and Partner at Ballantine, a family-owned and operated direct mail & digital marketing company based in New Jersey. and started in 1966 by my great uncle!
