Over 80% of distributed fundraising groups fundraise via email, which makes it the most popular method of fundraising within the distributed fundraising program. And for good reason - email fundraising is among the most effective digital fundraising strategies!
If you prefer to learn by watching and listening, click here to watch a video training about the basics of email fundraising. This includes many of the tips below. Then take a look at the sample email below.
Tip #1: Send multiple emails. It’s recommended to send multiple emails throughout the matching campaign period asking supporters to contribute. For example, you could send one or two emails to your full list of supporters, and then a follow up email to folks that have donated in the past. (Past donors are the most likely to donate again.)
Tip #2: Highlight the match. Make sure that you mention the match in your subject line. You don’t want to miss the opportunity for folks to open the email because they didn’t know about the match.
Tip #3: Be personal. Include the supporter’s name in the greeting, and include your own name or another group leader’s name as the sender and signature.
Tip #4: Keep it short and easy to skim. Ensure that it’s easy to read the full email, and that folks can skim through if they’re in a hurry. Be sure to include bolded text with the most important information, and multiple donation page links.
Here’s a sample fundraising email that you can use as a starting point for the matching campaign.
Sample Email
Subject Line: Your donation will be matched: Give to {Indivisible Group} now and double your impact!
Dear {name},
We entered 2023 in uncharted territory, and we're not sitting around to let this opportunity pass us by. We defied expectations by expanding our majority in the Senate. But extremism still threatens to erode our democracy.
Now more than ever, {Indivisible group} can’t back down from a fight. Together we’ll shine a light on the dangers of extremism by holding lawmakers accountable, and we’ll build a pro-democracy coalition to advance policies that are both right and popular.
Here’s what we’ve been doing to fight back.
{insert your group’s activities and achievements so far in 2023 or highlights of 2022}
With so much on the line, we can’t afford to stop now. Getting it done depends on all of us!
We’ve set a goal to raise at least $500 before May 31st, and Indivisible National will match every dollar you give up to $500 total between April 1st and May 31st.
Chip in $5, $25, or more now {Link to ActBlue page} and your donation will be matched! No amount is too small. These are some of the expenses we foresee for the year: {Use the items below or insert your own items to fund}
$25 = Facebook ad to recruit new members
$50 = Snacks for group meeting
$100 = Flyers for a rally holding our legislator accountable
$150 = Online meeting tool annual payment
Now is the time to support {Indivisible group} as we build our power and gear up for the rest of the year. Please consider making a contribution today to support our work. {Link to ActBlue page}
Because of you, we’re confident we can win the power we need to save our democracy.
In solidarity,
{name}
{Indivisible Group} leader