You run a nonprofit and know that email marketing is reportedly the most effective marketing (and fundraising) channel. So, how do you choose an email service provider that can help meet the needs of your organization, streamline processes, and turn prospects into ambassadors for your mission?
I’ll let you in on what I have found to be the most effective email marketing platforms for nonprofits.
What should nonprofits look for in email marketing platforms?
Cost
If your marketing team is bootstrapped or nonexistent, you’ve likely chosen a free email marketing platform. I’m not judging – we all start somewhere. Before investing in an email marketing platform, determine your budget. Once you’ve done the math, pick a platform that fits your budget and provides the features you need to make your email marketing and fundraising smooth. This may also depend on which fundraising platform has the lowest fees. Again, evaluate your budget and the features you require. Most platforms offer a free trial, so you don’t have to commit right away.
Automation
We all want to work smarter, right? Marketing automation for nonprofits often links to fundraising or email marketing platforms that easily integrate with other fundraising tools. Either approach works, as long as these platforms offer automations that lighten your workload instead of adding to it. Look for automations like email workflows, donor management, or donation forms.
Integration
Deciding which integrations you need depends on which fundraising platform is best for your organization. Do you need an all-in-one platform? Are you open to using multiple platforms if it helps gather more detailed data? Does the platform integrate well with your website? Find the answers to these questions before choosing your platform.
The Best Email Marketing Platforms for Nonprofits
As an email fundraising strategist and consultant, I’ve helped many organizations answer these questions and determine which email marketing platform is best for their nonprofit. It’s okay to trial-and-error or run up a few free trials before you make a decision. It’s also totally fine to switch platforms if the one you’re using isn’t providing what you need, or exceeds your budget (looking at you, MailChimp users).
Here are the 3 email marketing platforms that get my highest recommendations:
GiveButter
Givebutter is a cult favorite in the nonprofit world. If you’re looking for a user-friendly, all-in-one platform, this is it. You can fundraise, send emails, and manage donors all right here. I recommend getting the plus version so you can set up automated workflows and access the advanced email editor.
Constant Contact
Constant Contact offers many tools and integrations, making nonprofit marketing automation easy. If you want to manage social media, email, and event marketing in one place, I’d say this is a good place ot start. They are a great option for small budgets, and they also offer a prepay discount for nonprofits.
Kit
Full disclosure: I’m entirely biased here. I’ve used Kit (formerly ConvertKit) for several years now, and I can talk endlessly about all the things I love about it. Kit is built for creators, but you can easily use its features to get what you need out of your email platform. What sets Kit apart most is the Creator Network. The Creator Network allows you to cross-promote other newsletters, so you can find people in your industry and help each other grow your email lists. I’ve discovered many great nonprofits and consultants this way, some of whom have become my real-life friends!
I can go on for hours about how much I enjoy this platform and the people running it. Kit also offers a free plan, so no more paying to move things around in your clunky old platform. Get started for free with my affiliate link.
Feathr
Feathr is best for nonprofits using multi-channel marketing. It boasts high-level audience segmentation, integrations, automation, and advertising. Feathr’s target audience is nonprofits, so they are focused on the unique needs organizations have to amplify their mission and results.
Finding the best email marketing platform for your nonprofit can be easy.
If you’re still on the fence about picking an email marketing platform for your nonprofit, remember the questions above, run the numbers, and circle back. But your nonprofit email marketing strategy doesn’t stop there. Once prospects are on your email list, you have to give them a reason to stick around… especially before you ask them for money. I host a 5-day email challenge that takes you step-by-step in creating an email welcome sequence, designed to turn prospects into ambassadors for your mission.
Start the challenge today, and you’ll have a fresh email welcome sequence running in just a few days!