You don’t need to be a professional writer or have a big team to make a great nonprofit newsletter.
In fact, the best ones usually come from people who know their community well and just want to stay connected. Your newsletter is more than a monthly update, it’s a chance to show your supporters that their time, donations, and care really matter.
A good newsletter keeps people in the loop. It helps them feel like they’re part of your mission, not just watching from the outside. Whether it’s a short story, a thank-you message, or a quick invite to an upcoming event, it’s all about building trust and staying top of mind.
And here’s the good news: you don’t have to figure it out alone. At Harness, we’ve helped hundreds of nonprofits grow their donor base and keep supporters engaged, without adding more to their plates. We’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to help small teams make a big impact.
If you’ve been putting off your newsletter or just want to make it better, you’re in the right place.
Why nonprofit newsletters matter for your organization
A newsletter isn’t just something “nice to have.” It’s one of the most useful tools your nonprofit can use to keep people close to your mission. With all the noise online, newsletters help you stand out and speak directly to your community.
Think of it like this: your newsletter gives people a front-row seat to what’s happening in your world. It keeps donors, volunteers, and supporters informed about your organization without asking them to go searching for updates. Whether you’re sharing a win, highlighting an upcoming event, or just saying thank you, a newsletter keeps your cause top of mind.
It’s also a great way to offer valuable content. From powerful stories to helpful tips, your newsletter can become something people actually look forward to reading, not just another email in their inbox.
And here’s the best part: when people feel connected, they give more, volunteer more, and share your mission with others. That’s what makes a strong newsletter such a powerful (and affordable) part of your fundraising toolkit.
Planning your newsletter strategy: know your target audience
Before you start writing, take a minute to think about who you’re writing to. Is it a longtime donor who’s been with you from the start? A brand-new volunteer? Someone who just heard about your work last week? Each of these people cares, but they might need different kinds of updates.
That’s where audience planning comes in. If you send the same message to everyone, it might not land the way you want. But if you group your email lists (like donors, volunteers, or past event attendees), you can send content that feels personal and relevant. And that builds trust.
Next, ask yourself: what’s the goal of your newsletter? Do you want more people at your next event? Are you hoping to raise donations for a special project? Or maybe you just want to stay in touch so folks don’t forget about your mission. Having a goal helps shape what you include, and what you leave out.
And don’t forget to think about timing. Monthly is a good starting point for most nonprofits, but you can adjust based on what your audience responds to. The key is consistency. If people know when to expect your email, they’re more likely to open it.
The better you understand your readers, the easier it is to write something they actually want to read.
What to include in a nonprofit newsletter: 10 valuable pieces of content
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you sit down to write a newsletter. A few simple, thoughtful pieces of content can go a long way, especially when they reflect the heart of your mission. Here are 10 things that work well for most nonprofit newsletters:
1. Donor and supporter stories
Tell a quick story about someone who’s helping your cause, a donor, volunteer, or partner. Let readers see the faces behind the support.
2. Impact updates and milestones
Share real numbers or simple updates: how many meals served, homes built, animals rescued, whatever success looks like for your mission.
3. Behind-the-scenes or staff highlights
Introduce someone from your team. A friendly face reminds supporters there are real people doing the work they care about.
4. Calls for volunteers or advocacy actions
Need help? Let folks know how they can jump in, and make it easy with a button or sign-up link.
5. Teasers to blog posts or social media updates
Already writing elsewhere? Link to your latest blog, video, or post. It keeps content fresh and drives traffic.
6. Educational or curated resources
Found a great article or stat your community would care about? Share it. It shows you’re a trusted source, not just a fundraiser.
7. Community or partner spotlights
Shine a light on another group doing good work. Collaboration builds credibility and shows your reach.
8. Event recaps and upcoming event promotions
Show highlights from a recent event, then invite them to the next one.
9. “From the inbox” or user-generated content
Did someone send a great note or testimonial? Ask to share it. Real voices hit home more than polished copy ever could.
10. A strong, clear call to action in every email
Every newsletter should include one thing you want the reader to do. Donate. Sign up. Share. Keep it simple and make the button easy to find.
Nonprofit newsletter examples to inspire your content
Sometimes the best way to get started is to see what’s already working. Great nonprofit newsletters don’t all look the same, but they usually feel the same: clear, honest, and people-centered. Below are a few styles and ideas to spark your creativity:
1. The quick update
This kind of newsletter is short and sweet. It includes one big update (like a recent win or an urgent campaign), one strong image, and one clear call to action. It’s great when you don’t have time for a long message but still want to stay in touch.
2. The monthly wrap-up
A simple, repeatable format with a few sections: a story, a stat, a thank-you, and a heads-up about what’s coming. Supporters start to expect it, and you get into a flow that saves time each month.
3. The donor spotlight
Use one email to celebrate a donor or volunteer. Share why they give, what they love about your work, and how others can get involved. It builds community and shows appreciation at the same time.
4. The event invite or recap
This one focuses on a single event, either looking ahead or sharing what just happened. Add photos, quotes, and a CTA like “join us next time” or “see the full gallery.”
5. The story-driven newsletter
Start with a strong headline and lead with a personal story, one that shows your mission in action. It doesn’t need to be long, but it should feel human and real. End with a way to help.
6. The resource round-up
If your organization creates guides, toolkits, or blog posts, use your newsletter to share them. This builds value and positions you as a helpful voice in your space.
These formats can stand alone or be mixed together. Try one, test what works, and make it your own. And remember, it’s not about looking fancy. It’s about being real, clear, and worth opening next time.
Design and layout tips for newsletters that engage
Good content is key, but if your newsletter is hard to read, it won’t matter. Design doesn’t have to be fancy, it just needs to make things clear, friendly, and easy to skim.
Start simple. Use one or two colors that match your nonprofit’s brand. Stick to one font (two at most). Use bold text for headers and short paragraphs for easy reading.
Keep it mobile-friendly. A lot of people check email on their phones. Make sure your newsletter adjusts to small screens, and that buttons are big enough to tap.
Use images with purpose. Add one or two strong photos that show your work in action. Real people, real moments, that’s what makes an impact.
Make your CTA stand out. Your “donate,” “sign up,” or “learn more” button shouldn’t get lost. Use a bright color, and place it after the main story or message.
Be mindful of accessibility. Choose high-contrast text and background colors so it’s easy to read. Add alt text to images for screen readers. It’s a small step that makes a big difference.
Don’t overcrowd the page. Leave white space so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. If your email looks like a wall of text, most people will skip it.
Design isn’t about being flashy, it’s about making your message easy to read, see, and act on. That’s what gets results.
Subject lines and preheaders that boost open rates
You only get a few seconds to grab someone’s attention in their inbox, and that starts with your subject line. A good subject line gets people to stop scrolling. A great one gets them to click.
Keep it short and clear. Aim for 5–7 words. Focus on one idea and avoid sounding like spam. Think less “URGENT! DONATE NOW!” and more “You made this possible” or “A quick thank-you.”
Make it personal. If your email tool allows, use the supporter’s first name. You can also tie the subject line to past actions, like “You helped feed 100 families this month.”
Pair it with a strong preheader. This is the little preview text under the subject line, and it’s just as important. It should build curiosity or add context. For example:
- Subject: “Meet the pup you helped save”
- Preheader: “Her name is Lucky, and her story is a good one.”
Avoid all caps, too many symbols, or clickbait. People want messages that feel honest, not pushy.
Test what works. Try A/B testing different subject lines to see which ones get more opens. Even small tweaks can lead to better results over time.
Your subject line is the handshake. Your preheader is the smile. Together, they help get your newsletter read.
Automation and welcome series: keeping your audience engaged
First impressions matter, and a welcome email is your chance to start off strong. When someone joins your email list. maybe after donating, volunteering, or signing up at an event, don’t leave them hanging. A warm, personal welcome message can set the tone for the whole relationship.
Start with a simple “thank you.” Let them know you’re glad they’re here and what they can expect from your emails. Something like: “We’re excited to share stories, impact updates, and ways you can stay involved.”
Set the tone. Keep the message human. Use the voice of a real person, not a robot. If it makes sense, send the email from someone on your team.
Tell them what’s coming next. Will you send a monthly newsletter? Event invites? Resources? Let them know how often they’ll hear from you so they’re not surprised.
Automate the follow-up. With tools like Harness, you can build a short welcome series, maybe 2–3 emails spaced out over a week or two. It’s a great way to slowly introduce your mission, share a story, and invite them to take a small next step.
Keep it light. A welcome series isn’t the place to ask for a donation right away. Focus on connection, clarity, and helping the person feel like they’re part of something meaningful.
When done right, a welcome email builds trust, and trust leads to long-term support.
How to measure success and improve your newsletter performance
Once you hit “send,” your work isn’t done. If you want your newsletter to get better over time, you’ve got to look at the numbers. Even a few basic stats can tell you a lot about what’s working, and what’s not.
Start with your open rate. This tells you how many people are actually opening your emails. If it’s low, your subject line might need work. Or maybe your list is cold and needs re-engagement.
Look at your click-through rate. This shows how many people clicked on links inside your email, like a donation button or blog post. If the clicks are low, your content or call to action might need to be clearer.
Watch unsubscribes. A few here and there are normal. But if lots of people are opting out after each send, it could mean the content isn’t matching what they expected, or it’s coming too often.
Track donations, signups, or replies. These are real actions that show people are engaged. If someone replies to your email with a comment or question, that’s a win too.
Use what you learn. Over time, patterns will show up. Maybe donor stories get more clicks than event invites. Maybe Tuesdays get better open rates than Fridays. These small insights can shape your next send.
Checking the data might feel like a chore, but it helps you write better, connect better, and raise more in the long run.
Resource-light tips for small teams and solo fundraisers
If you’re running a newsletter on your own, or with a tiny team, you’re not alone. Most nonprofits don’t have a full marketing department. The good news? You don’t need one.
Start with a simple template. Don’t build your newsletter from scratch every time. Set up a basic layout with a spot for a headline, a photo, a short update, and a call to action. Reuse it every month.
Use content you already have. Blog posts, social media updates, thank-you emails, they can all be repurposed. Don’t let good content go to waste.
Work ahead when you can. If you have a quiet week, draft a couple of newsletters in advance. Even just writing your intros or subject lines early can save you stress later.
Ask your team (or volunteers) for help. Someone else might write a great donor story or snap a photo at your event. You don’t have to do it all.
Stay consistent, not perfect. Don’t wait until everything looks flawless. Done is better than perfect, especially if it means staying connected to your audience.
Use the right tools. Platforms like Harness are built to save you time. With automation, templates, and easy editing, you can do more with less, and still look professional.
You don’t need to be fancy. You just need to be consistent, real, and focused on building relationships.
Newsletter Importance
At the end of the day, your newsletter is more than a bunch of updates in an inbox. It’s how you build trust. It’s how you keep your mission alive between donations, between events, and between big campaigns. It’s your voice, showing up, month after month, reminding people that they’re part of something bigger.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present. When your newsletter feels real, helpful, and human, people will open it, read it, and act on it.
And if you’re ready to make your newsletter easier to send, and more powerful, Harness is here to help. From automation to content support to beautiful, personalized templates, we give you the tools to create emails that connect and convert.
Let’s grow your impact, together.
