Email fundraising
Nonprofit Fundraising Email Examples: 5 Templates You Can Copy
A fundraising email does not need to be long or elaborate. What it needs is a clear purpose, an honest message and a direct link to your donation page. The five templates below cover the most common moments in a fundraising campaign. Adapt the language to your organization and cause.
Before you use these templates
Each template includes a subject line, a short body and a call to action. Replace the bracketed placeholders with your own details. The donation page link should always point to your specific campaign page, not a general homepage.
These emails are designed to be sent via your regular email tool (Mailchimp, Brevo, Mailerlite or similar). Once a supporter clicks through and donates, your WordPress donation plugin handles the confirmation email and the donor record automatically.
Template 1: Campaign launch
Use this email to announce a new campaign to your existing list. Keep the opening short and focus on one specific need.
Subject: We just launched [campaign name] – here is what we are trying to do
Body:
Hi [first name],
Today we are launching [campaign name], and I wanted to let you know directly.
Our goal is to raise [amount] by [date] to [describe what the funds will cover – be specific].
If you can contribute, even a small amount helps us get there.
[Donate now – link to your campaign page]
Thank you for your continued support.
[Your name], [Organization name]
Template 2: Mid-campaign progress update
Send this email halfway through the campaign. Share real numbers and keep the energy going without sounding urgent yet.
Subject: We are [X]% of the way there – thank you
Body:
Hi [first name],
A quick update on [campaign name]: we have raised [amount] so far, which puts us at [percentage] of our goal.
[Optional: name one thing that is already happening because of the donations received so far.]
We still need [remaining amount] to reach our target before [end date]. If you have been thinking about contributing, now is a good moment.
[Help us reach the goal – link to your campaign page]
Thank you,
[Your name], [Organization name]
Template 3: Final days urgency
Send this email in the last 48 to 72 hours of the campaign. Be honest about where you stand and why the deadline matters.
Subject: [X] days left – we are almost there
Body:
Hi [first name],
[Campaign name] closes on [date], and we are [amount or percentage] away from our goal.
[Explain briefly why reaching the goal by the deadline matters – for example, a matching grant, a commitment to a supplier or the start of a program.]
If you have been waiting for the right moment, this is it. Every contribution counts in these final days.
[Make your donation before [date] – link to your campaign page]
Thank you,
[Your name], [Organization name]
Template 4: Thank you and campaign close
Send this email within a few days of the campaign ending, to everyone who donated. It closes the loop and reinforces trust.
Subject: We did it – and it was because of you
Body:
Hi [first name],
[Campaign name] has ended and I wanted to thank you personally.
Together, we raised [final amount] from [number of donors] donors. [Describe one concrete outcome: what will this pay for, how many people will benefit, what happens next.]
We will send a full update when [project / program / delivery] is complete. In the meantime, know that your support made a real difference.
Thank you,
[Your name], [Organization name]
Template 5: Recurring giving ask
Use this email to invite one-time donors to consider monthly giving. Send it a few weeks after a successful campaign, when the relationship is warm.
Subject: One way to make your support go further
Body:
Hi [first name],
Thank you again for your donation during [campaign name]. It meant a lot to us and helped us [brief outcome].
I wanted to let you know that we now offer monthly giving for supporters who want to help on an ongoing basis. A small monthly amount – even [suggested amount] – adds up and helps us plan for the long term instead of relying only on campaigns.
If this is something you would consider, you can set it up in a couple of minutes:
[Become a monthly supporter – link to your donation page with recurring option]
No pressure at all. We are grateful for your support in any form.
Thank you,
[Your name], [Organization name]
A few notes on all five templates
These templates are short by design. Most people read fundraising emails on mobile, and long messages lose readers quickly. If you want to add more context, link to a page on your website rather than including everything in the email body.
Always use a real sender name, not a generic address. Emails from a named person perform better than those from “info@” or “noreply@” addresses. When possible, segment your list so past donors receive different messaging than first-time contacts.
The donation page you link to should be simple, load quickly on mobile and confirm the payment clearly. If donors land on a confusing page after clicking your email, conversion drops regardless of how good the email is.
Connecting your email campaign to WordPress
Once a supporter clicks your email and donates, your WordPress donation plugin takes over: it processes the payment, sends a confirmation receipt to the donor and records the donation in your dashboard.
FundCollector handles this workflow on WordPress with PayPal (including credit cards), bank transfer and, in the Pro version, Mollie for embedded card payments and recurring giving. You can download the free version from WordPress.org or read the fundraising email campaign guide for more strategy advice.