Sales & Follow-up Templates

Fundraising Email Templates

Compelling emails that launch campaigns, build momentum with progress updates, and turn supporters into donors before the deadline hits.

Fundraising is storytelling plus urgency plus gratitude. These templates cover every phase of a campaign — from the launch that sets the tone, through the progress updates that build momentum, to the thank-you messages that turn one-time donors into lifelong supporters.

Ready-to-Use Templates

Copy these templates and customize them for your needs. Each includes HTML and plain text versions.

Campaign Launch
Announce a new fundraising campaign and inspire first donations
General use
Subject Line

We're raising {{campaignGoal}} for {{campaignName}} — and we need you

Preview Text

Today we're launching something important. Here's why it matters and how you can help.

Personalization Variables:
Email Preview
Progress Milestone Update
Update supporters when the campaign hits a fundraising milestone
General use
Subject Line

We hit {{milestonePercent}} of our goal! {{amountRemaining}} to go

Preview Text

Incredible momentum. Here's where we stand and what we need to cross the finish line.

Personalization Variables:
Email Preview
Matching Gift Alert
Announce a matching gift opportunity to multiply donor impact
General use
Subject Line

URGENT: Every dollar matched {{matchMultiplier}} — next {{matchWindow}} only

Preview Text

A donor is matching every gift. Your $50 becomes $100. But only for the next {{matchWindow}}.

Personalization Variables:
Email Preview
Campaign Thank You & Results
Thank donors after a campaign ends and share final results
General use
Subject Line

We did it! {{campaignName}} raised {{totalRaised}} — thank you, {{firstName}}

Preview Text

Because of you, we reached our goal. Here's what happens next with your investment.

Personalization Variables:
Email Preview

Best Practices

Launch campaigns with a compelling story, not just a dollar amount and a deadline

Send progress updates at real milestones (25%, 50%, 75%) to create momentum and social proof

Use matching gift challenges to create urgency — they consistently double conversion rates

Include the specific donor's contribution amount in thank-you emails to make it personal

Always explain where the money goes with specific allocations and impact projections

Common Mistakes

Launching a campaign with a single email and then going silent until the deadline

Sending progress updates without context on what the milestone means for the mission

Making matching gift emails feel like spam by sending too many in a short window

Forgetting to close the loop with donors after the campaign ends — always share results

Using guilt-based language instead of empowering donors to see themselves as part of the solution

Subject Line Examples

Timing & Performance

Best Days
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Best Times
9:00 AM, 2:00 PM
Open Rate
25-35%
Click Rate
3-5%

Personalization Tips

Fundraising campaigns are marathons disguised as sprints. The launch gets attention, but it's the progress updates, matching gifts, and sustained communication that actually hit the goal. Email is the backbone of every successful fundraising campaign because it reaches people who've already raised their hand to support your cause.

Progress updates work because of basic psychology: people want to be part of something that's succeeding. When donors see a campaign at 75% with a week to go, they're motivated to be part of the push that gets it across the finish line. That's why milestone-triggered emails consistently outperform time-based reminders.

Matching gifts are the single most powerful tool in fundraising email. When donors know their contribution will be doubled, donation rates increase dramatically. Combine a match with a deadline, and you create the kind of urgency that turns email openers into donors within minutes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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