Let’s face it—writing fundraising emails is a lot like asking your friend for a ride to the airport. You want to be polite, get your point across, and maybe throw in a little charm to seal the deal. Whether it’s for a specific campaign, a big event, or simply to stay in touch with donors, there’s a fine art to crafting an email that isn’t just a “send and hope” situation. And if you’re like most of us, you want to make sure it doesn’t end up in the dreaded spam folder.
But hey, we’re not here to sugarcoat things. The truth is, good fundraising outreach emails take effort. They need to be personalized, relevant, and engaging. So, let’s walk through the different types of fundraising emails you might send and how Skail, the AI that creates your digital clone, can help make these emails as impactful (and efficient) as possible.
Types of Fundraising Emails (and How to Make Them Shine)
Campaign-Specific Fundraising Emails
Kicking off a fundraising campaign? You’re probably juggling about 20 things at once, and writing the perfect email might not be at the top of your list. But these are the emails that set the tone. A good campaign-specific email should be informative yet emotional. Tell your story—what’s this campaign about? Who benefits? Why now?
Example:
- Subject Line: “Help Us Make a Difference This Summer”
- Body: “Dear [First Name], imagine changing a life today. With your donation, we can…”
The key is to make the recipient feel like they’re part of the story. Now, Skail can help by using your tone and organization’s background to create these compelling narratives, all while ensuring each email feels like it was personally crafted for each recipient (because it was).
Event Invites (Golf Outings, Galas, and More)
Inviting someone to a fundraising event? It’s not just about the event itself; it’s about making the recipient feel like they have to be there. Whether it’s a swanky gala, a casual golf outing, or a community barbecue, your email needs to spark interest.
Example:
- Subject Line: Join Us for a Night Under the Stars 🌟
- “Body: “We’d love to see you at our annual gala. Not only will there be great food, but we’ve got a silent auction featuring…”
The trick here is to personalize it beyond the basics. Skail steps in to reference past events the donor attended or even their preferences when set up through the CRM (golf lover? Let’s mention that!). It’s about creating a sense of belonging and excitement.
General Touch Base with Regular Donors
Keeping in touch with your donors shouldn’t always be about asking for money. Sometimes, it’s about reminding them of the great things they’ve helped accomplish and maintaining that warm connection.
Example:
- Subject Line: “See the Impact You Made This Year!”
- Body: “Thanks to your generous support, we’ve managed to…”
Now, instead of digging through your CRM to remember what they donated to last time, Skail’s AI can pull that information, automatically crafting an email that speaks directly to the donor’s past contributions, making them feel genuinely valued.
Prospecting New Donors
Ah, the elusive new donor—like finding the right pair of jeans, it’s not always easy. When reaching out to potential new donors, your email should highlight why they should care and how they can make a difference. Think of it as a friendly introduction rather than a hard sell.
Example:
- Subject Line: “Be a Part of Something Great”
- Body: “Hi [First Name], we noticed your passion for [related cause]. We’d love for you to join us in…”
This is where Skail really shines. It can use the information you already have—maybe a social media connection, shared interest, or past interaction—to create an email that feels like a natural, warm introduction. It’s all about building relationships, not pushing an agenda.
Updates and Newsletters
Sometimes, you just need to keep your supporters in the loop. These emails might not be about fundraising directly, but they’re crucial for keeping your audience engaged and informed about your activities. The challenge is making these updates interesting enough that they don’t end up in the trash folder.
Example:
- Subject Line: “Big News! See What’s Happening This Month”
- Body: “We’ve been busy! Here’s a quick update on the projects we’re working on and how your support is making it all possible…”
Skail helps by including personalized notes based on the recipient’s past interactions. If they attended your last event, it could say, “Remember our last event? Thanks to supporters like you, we’ve expanded our reach…”
The Importance of Personalization (And How Skail Makes It Easy)
We all know personalization is key. No one wants to read an email that feels like it was copy-pasted to thousands of other people. Like the one pictured below:
Source
But the reality is, personalizing emails is hard and time-consuming. And when you’re working with a long list of donors or prospects, it can feel impossible to add that human touch to each one.
That’s where Skail comes in. By acting as your digital clone, Skail knows your organization’s story, your tone, and even the little details that matter to your contacts. Imagine sending an email that feels like you spent 20 minutes crafting it—except you didn’t. Skail did, in minutes, and it feels just as personal as if you’d written it yourself.
Example Scenarios Where Skail Saves the Day
- For the Golf Outing Invite: Skail might mention the recipient’s love for golf and remind them of last year’s great event where they took home a prize.
- Gala Email: Skail can include a nod to their past contributions, making them feel like a VIP guest.
- Prospecting New Donors: Instead of generic greetings, Skail references their known interests, creating a genuine, tailored invitation to connect.
Best Practices for Writing Fundraising Emails
- Subject Lines Matter: Keep them short, engaging, and relevant. “Help Us Change Lives Today” might work better than “Annual Fundraiser Information.”
- Be Direct and Authentic: Don’t dance around the ask. People appreciate clarity—tell them why you’re reaching out and how they can help.
- Create a Sense of Urgency: Phrases like “only a few spots left” or “donate before the end of the month to maximize impact” work wonders.
- Show the Impact: Let your donors know exactly how their contribution will be used. People like to know where their money is going and how it’s making a difference.
- Include a Strong Call to Action: Make it easy for them to contribute. Whether it’s a “Donate Now” button or a link to RSVP for an event, guide them clearly on what to do next.
How Skail Can Help Elevate Your Fundraising Emails
With Skail, you don’t just automate your emails; you enhance your relationship-building efforts. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows exactly how you’d write and respond, but without the time and effort. Whether you’re crafting emails for specific campaigns, event invites, or general donor engagement, Skail ensures every message is as personal and compelling as possible.
Imagine spending less time staring at a blank screen, wondering what to write, and more time focusing on the heart of your mission. Skail takes the stress out of email writing, helping you maintain those valuable connections and meet your fundraising goals—without sacrificing authenticity.
In Conclusion
Fundraising is all about connections and trust. The more personal and genuine your communications are, the more likely your audience will engage and contribute. With the right tools and approach, you can turn every email into a meaningful interaction that furthers your mission.
And with Skail by your side, those interactions happen effortlessly—keeping the human touch alive while saving you time and energy. So, next time you’re gearing up for a campaign or event, let Skail do the heavy lifting while you focus on the important stuff: changing the world, one email at a time.
Also, if you are looking are randomly looking to make a donation – Here are two organizations Skail Supports:
Urban Ventures
