Email Marketing for Nonprofits

Using email to start and grow relationships is easy for nonprofits. It is an inexpensive way to reach out to supporters on a regular basis with informative and inspiring messages. Doing this can help your organization build an engaged community that helps to promote your mission, fundraising, and special events.

Check out the email templates provided for your use throughout the 860Gives campaign from pre-giving to thank you. We have supplied you with a variety of email subject line choices as well as distribution timeline recommendations. Be sure to download the email banners that can be added to the top of your email template. Customize the emails with your organization's 860Gives fundraising page link and social media handles for added engagement!

Sample Emails

Pre-giving

Day of

Give Thanks

Initial Email to Donors (Distro any time after registration/approval before March 15. Make sure fundraising page is complete!)

Subject: 860Gives: A Can’t-Miss Opportunity to Give Back

Additional Subject Line Options:

860Gives: A Can’t-Miss New Philanthropic Movement
Mark your calendar: 860 gives back March 31
48 hours that could change everything for [Your Cause]
860Gives is coming. Here's why it matters.

Dear [Name/Donor/Friend],

✨ Something exciting is coming to the 860 Region—and we want you to be part of it.

📅 On March 31 at 6:00 a.m., 860Gives kicks off a 48-hour giving event during which our region rallies around the nonprofits making a difference in our communities.

💙 Think of it as the 860's biggest day of generosity—and [ORGANIZATION NAME] is in the mix.

Here's why this matters: This isn't just another fundraising campaign. 860Gives amplifies our cause in a new way, connects us with new supporters, and—here's the best part—🎁 unlocks additional prizes and incentives for nonprofits that make every dollar go further. The more people who give early, the better our chances of securing those bonus funds to advance our mission.

🎯 Our goal: $XX. Your role: Critical.

We're asking you to do three things:

⏰ Mark March 31-April 2 on your calendar (donations close at 6:00 a.m. on April 2).

💻 Visit our profile at [insert name of organization – hyperlink to 860Gives profile page] and make your gift during the 48-hour window.

📣 Tell everyone. Forward this email. Post on social. Text your people. The bigger our wave of support, the bigger our impact.

🤝 Nonprofits in our region are stronger together. Let's show what the 860 is capable of.

🔗 Explore all the participating nonprofits and bookmark our profile at [insert name of organization – hyperlink to 860Gives profile page]

🚀 Let's make March 31 unforgettable.

[Signature]

P.S. ⚡ Early giving = matching gift potential. Don't wait until the last minute—set a reminder for March 31 at 6:00 a.m. and be one of our first donors to help set us up for maximum impact.

860Gives is powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

Event is Almost Here (Distro March 15-March 27)

Subject: The countdown to 860Gives is on. Here's how you help us win.

Additional Subject Line Options:

March 31 is coming. Here's how you can help us win 860gives
The 860gives countdown is on—here's your playbook
March 31 prep: Three ways to help us crush 860Gives

Mark it: March 31. We’re going all in for 860Gives.

860gives is our region’s biggest day of giving, and we're going all in for [Organization Name]. But here's the thing: we can't do it without our biggest fans – like you – ready to amplify our message.

That's where you come in.

🎯 Mission 1: Expand the circle 
Forward this email to five people who care about [cause/mission]. Then ask them to forward it to five more. Watch the ripple effect happen.

📱 Mission 2: Own your feed 
Between now and March 31, post about 860Gives on your social media platforms. Share why [Organization Name] matters to you. Use #860Gives and tag us. Bonus points for stories, reels, and getting creative. Your network trusts you—use that power.

🏆 Mission 3: Become a champion 
Want to go deeper? We're recruiting fundraising champions to rally their networks and drive donations on March 31. If you've got 30 minutes and some enthusiasm, we want you on the team. Reply to this email and we'll get you set up.

📢 Every share counts. 🏷️ Every tag matters. 🌟 Every champion multiplies our impact.

🔗 Visit [insert name of organization – hyperlink to 860Gives profile page] to preview our campaign and start spreading the word.

💙 Let's make the 860 proud on March 31.

[Name/Organization]

P.S. ⏰ Mark your calendar for 6:00 a.m. on March 31—that's when the 48-hour giving window begins. We'll be in your inbox with a link to donate.

860Gives is powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

Day of Event (Distro early morning of 3/31)

Subject: 860Gives is HERE!

Additional Subject Line Options:

860Gives is LIVE. Are you ready to give?
The clock is ticking: 860Gives is officially ON
TODAY: Join thousands of donors across the 860 (we're counting on you)

🎉 The wait is over. 860Gives is LIVE. We invite you to be part of an incredible 48 hours of philanthropy in the 860 region!

Here's your game plan:

💙 Give now. Five minutes. One donation. Maximum impact.

📣 Spread the word. Text your group chat. Share this email. Post with #860Gives. Tag us. Make some noise.

👀 Watch the 860 work. Head to 860gives.org and see the momentum build in real-time. You can track your favorite organizations and their progress on the leaderboard.

💵 Every dollar counts. 🤝 Every share matters.

🏘️ This is your community in action. Don't just watch it happen—be the reason it happens.

🔗 [insert name of organization – hyperlink to 860Gives profile page].

🚀 Let's make these 48 hours count! Thank you in advance for your donation and support!

[Name/Organization]

860Gives is powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

Thank You + I Gave Badge (Distro when donation has been made)

Subject: You gave. Help us spread the word and cross the finish line!

Additional Subject Line Options:

We're so close—help us rally the 860
Your donation just landed. Now let's make some noise.

🎯 You just moved the needle.

Your donation brought us [$ amount] closer to our 860Gives goal of [$ amount]—and we've still got time on the clock in this 48-hour sprint. ⏱️

✨ Your contribution has made an immediate impact and means our mission moves forward OR [state specific impact - e.g., "three more families get emergency food assistance" / "another week of after-school programming for local kids" / "critical supplies for our frontline team"].

Here's how you can double your impact right now: 📲Grab the attached 'I Gave' graphic and share it across your social media channels. Tag us [@handle], challenge your friends, and send them straight to [insert name of organization – hyperlink to 860Gives profile page].

🔥 When the 860 sees its neighbors giving, it's contagious. Your network is full of people who care about what you care about—let's activate them.

⏰ The clock is ticking. 📈 The momentum is real. Let's finish strong.

📧 We'll be back in your inbox soon with the final numbers and what they'll make possible. Right now, we're watching this momentum build in real-time—and you are part of it! 💙

[Name]

P.S. Post that graphic. Seriously. It takes 30 seconds and could be the nudge someone needs to join this movement. 👊

860Gives is powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

Final Thank You (Distro sometime the week after the event)

Subject: Thank you for making 860Gives unforgettable.

When the clock struck 6:00 a.m. on March 31, we embarked on an incredible 48-hour journey alongside supporters like you. What unfolded during 860Gives exceeded our expectations and reminded us why we do this work every single day.

Together, we raised [$Dollars Raised] for [Organization Name]—funds that will directly support [Organization's Mission]. Your contribution isn't just a number; it's a commitment to the people and communities we serve, and it will create meaningful change in the months ahead.

The momentum from 860Gives propels us forward as we [Include a quick message including any upcoming projects or how your organization plans to use funds that were raised during the Giving Day.]

Let's keep this connection going. We'd love for you to be part of our story beyond this giving day:

[Subscribe to our newsletter] for updates and impact stories

Connect with us on LinkedIn -

There are so many ways to stay involved with our mission, and we're excited to share them with you throughout the year.

"[Include a quote from a leader at your organization about your experience taking part in 860Gives]"

With deep appreciation,

[Name]

P.S. Your gift receipt was automatically sent to your email from notifications@givegab.com. If you need a copy of your receipt, please reach out to [Insert your organization's support email] for assistance.

860Gives is powered by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut.

Communications Timeline

Download the Comprehensive Communication Guide to Prepare for 860Gives!

Download the PDF

Major Milestones

Month 1

The 860Gives Team will:

Encourage nonprofits to sign up for 860Gives
Network with and recruit local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify 860Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters

You should:

Sign up for 860Gives and customize your profile
Assemble your 860Gives team and involve them in planning how your 860Gives campaign will complement your annual fundraising strategy
Attend a webinar to learn about 860Gives, how to promote your 860Gives campaign, and how to recruit and utilize peer-to-peer fundraisers
Discover all the resources available for you to use in your nonprofit toolkit (email marketing, social media posts, graphics, planning guide, and more!)

Month 2

The 860Gives Team will:

Work with local newspapers, radio stations, and other media outlets to continue spreading the word to a wider audience about 860Gives
Continue offering trainings to nonprofits participating in 860Gives, and those interested in the opportunity, on giving day best practices.
Develop content for nonprofits participating in 860Gives to use, and for use on 860Gives social media pages, Facebook and Twitter.

You should:

Craft your campaign story. How are you celebrating 860Gives? How will you use the funds raised during 860Gives? Why should donors give to you on 860Gives? Watch our Storytelling Training Video to learn more!
Recruit fundraising champions for your campaign. You can use your Board, volunteers, or staff!
Let your volunteers know you’re participating in 860Gives and you need their help in extra special ways! Give them meaningful assignments to fully engage them.
Develop your messaging plan for the next 2 months to ensure your donors know you are participating in 860Gives on March 31. Download the email and social media timelines in the Nonprofit Toolkit to get a head start!

Month 3

The 860Gives Team will:

Provide more resources to local community nonprofit leaders to expand and amplify 860Gives’s message to nonprofits, donors, and other general supporters
Continue promoting 860Gives to nonprofits across the region

You should:

Send out a save the date email and social media post to all of your supporters! Download the 860Gives “Save the Date” graphic from the Nonprofit Toolkit to make sure your messages stand out!
Host a fundraising champion kick-off party to teach your fundraising champions best practices on fundraising!

Month 4

The 860Gives Team will:

Heavily promote 860Gives to all media outlets across the region
Finalize partnerships with local businesses to benefit every nonprofit participating in 860Gives

You should:

Post on social media regularly about 860Gives, using the hashtag 860Gives
Email your supporters with additional details about 860Gives. How do they give? Why should they give? When should they give?
Ensure your campaign story and messaging are ready to go. Make a test donation to make sure you understand the process.

Day of

The 860Gives Team will:

Heavily promote 860Gives to all media outlets across the region
Provide 24-hour support to all nonprofits and their supporters

You should:

Post on social media regularly about 860Gives, using the hashtag 860Gives
Email your supporters with updates and how they can help your 860Gives campaign
Thank your supporters in real-time on social media, in emails, or give them a call!
Celebrate!

Beyond

The 860Gives Team will:

Share statistics from 860Gives, including nonprofit success stories, and describe the powerful change that will happen as a result of the generous donations to local nonprofits.

You should:

Share the results from your 860Gives participation and what those results mean.
Thank your donors and let them know exactly what their donations mean for your program.
Send handwritten notes to your fundraising champions and your Board for their assistance.
Send periodic updates on how the donations you received are being used. Keep your donors engaged by letting them know how their money is benefiting your organization and your cause.
Engage with your donors on GiveGab after 860Gives by posting volunteer opportunities, fundraising, and hosting events!