Best email marketing for nonprofits
Short answer: Donors and volunteers stay when they see what their support does. Email is how you show them. A small nonprofit needs impact updates, a thank-you for new supporters, volunteer and event emails, and a price that does not eat the budget. SendFox is free up to 1,000 contacts, then $29 once for 5,000.
This guide is for small nonprofits, community groups and charities, usually run by a few staff and a lot of volunteers.
What to send
Impact updates
One story a month about someone your work helped, and what supporters made possible. Use real stories and real numbers from your own records.
Thank-you and welcome emails
Every new donor or volunteer gets a thank-you right away, then an introduction to your work.
Volunteer calls
What you need, when, and how to sign up. Send to your volunteer list, not everyone.
Appeals and events
Year-end appeals, giving days and event invites, each with one clear link.
SendFox features that help
- Welcome automation: New supporters who join a list get a thank-you email right away and a follow-up a few days later.
- Lists for donors and volunteers: Keep donors, volunteers and newsletter readers on separate lists so each email reaches the right people.
- Smart Pages and forms: A signup page for events and tabling, or a form you embed on your website.
- Easy import: Bring your contacts over from a CSV, Mailchimp, Kit or Google Contacts.
- Teammates on Pro: On Pro, invite staff and volunteers to help run the account.
What to send your first month
- Week 1: Import your supporters from a CSV into separate donor and volunteer lists. Set up a thank-you automation.
- Week 2: Send your first impact update: one story, one photo, one thank-you.
- Week 3: Send a volunteer call to your volunteer list only.
- Week 4: Invite everyone to your next event or giving day, with one clear link.
What it costs
| Plan | Price | Contacts | Sends | Smart Pages, forms, automations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1,000 | 3,000 / month | 1 of each |
| Lifetime | $29, once | 5,000 | 300,000 total | Unlimited |
| Pro | From $19 / month | 5,000 to 250,000 | From 100,000 / month | Unlimited |
Free and Lifetime emails carry a small SendFox footer; Pro removes it. Pro also adds paid newsletters on your own Stripe account, MCP access and teammates. Current plans: sendfox.com/pricing.
SendFox does not process donations. Link to your donation page from any email.
See what 13 email tools cost at 5,000 to 100,000 subscribers: email marketing pricing compared.
Keep reading
- How to start a newsletter, step by step
- Email marketing pricing compared
- Best email marketing for churches & ministries
FAQ
What is the best email marketing platform for a small nonprofit?
One that is cheap and simple enough for volunteers. SendFox is free for 1,000 contacts and 3,000 sends a month, then $29 once for 5,000 contacts, with welcome automations and scheduling included.
Can SendFox take donations?
No. SendFox handles email. Link to your existing donation page in your emails.
How often should a nonprofit email supporters?
Once a month is a good baseline: one impact update. Add appeals and event emails around the moments that matter, like year-end giving.
Can volunteers help run the account?
On Pro, yes. You can invite teammates to manage emails and contacts.
Start free. Pay once if you grow.
Free for 1,000 contacts. $29 once for 5,000. Import from Mailchimp, Kit or a CSV in minutes.
Get started!