Funding the Future: Maximizing Donations with Text Marketing for Nonprofits

A report from last year found that donors are now more receptive to text messages as the number of text donors for nonprofits has increased to 7% in 2023 compared to 1% in 2016.

Text messaging is now an integral part of promoting your nonprofit fundraising campaigns and spreading awareness about the causes you stand for. SMS marketing automation allows you to send quick alerts and updates on the campaigns. You can also send them new initiatives and activities and ask them to pledge or donate a generous amount.

Why text messaging?

Because 75% of Americans check their phones within 5 minutes of receiving a notification. If that’s not convincing enough, here are more statistics on the same:

• 89% of Americans check their phones within 10 minutes of waking up.

• They check their phones 144 times a day.

• An average American spends 4 hours and 25 minutes on their phone.

• Text messages have an open and read rate of 94%.

Now that you have understood the importance of reaching your donors on their mobile phones, let’s understand how to maximize text message donations for nonprofits:

SMS Marketing for Nonprofits: What Is It and What are the Benefits?

SMS or text messaging is a texting service for individuals or businesses to communicate important information with others. It generally has a higher open and read rate than email or other instant communication channels.

Nonprofit organizations can capitalize on the users' habits and the benefits of SMS channel offers to raise awareness about their campaigns and increase donations. With text to donate for nonprofits, you can reach directly to your donors’ mobile phones and share a link to a mobile-friendly donation page.

Text messaging for nonprofits also helps you build a good rapport and strong relationship with your supporters. Unlike other channels, SMS is a fast, reliable, and familiar mode of communication to share updates, new campaign alerts, or reports on previous contributions.

Here are some benefits of using SMS for nonprofits:

• The biggest benefit of using SMS is that it’s one of the most effective forms of marketing.

• Automated text messaging tools enable you to segment and personalize your messages to target specific non-profit audiences.

• Armed with automation tools, it becomes a breeze to handle your communications with supporters and save time to focus on planning other nonprofit activities.

• Mass texting or bulk text messaging adorns you to reach thousands of your supporters in just one click.

How to Start Text Messaging for Nonprofit

Launching a text marketing campaign for your nonprofit is easier than you might think. Here’s a stepwise process you can follow to get started:

1. Select Text Marketing Tool of Your Choice

The best tool of a warrior is the weapon of his choice. Similarly, nonprofit marketing agents need to select a tool to send mass text messages to their supporters. For the same, you need to partner with a business text messaging service provider that offers the following features:

• Automated text messaging

• Auto lead distribution

• High messaging throughput and deliverability

• Personalization of text messages

• 3rd-party integrations like Zapier

• Fast and reliable support

• Text messaging scaling tools

• AI message generator and paraphrasing

• And others

Remember that the SMS marketing tool of your choice should meet your unique needs and offer all the necessary messaging features. Textdrip, for example, is one of the most favorable and cost-effective tools for businesses to get started with text marketing needs.

2. Create Your Campaigns & Upload Contact Data

Once you have selected the right SMS marketing tool or choose to start with Textdrip, create your campaigns. The drip texting feature allows you to create a series of text messages that are sent automatically at predefined intervals.

Write the messages you want to send your supporters and select the duration between each message to automate the whole process. You can create as many campaigns as you require and write as many messages as you need within one campaign. Additionally, you can personalize each message and even use AI for message generation or paraphrase your messages.

Once you are done with your campaign creation, now’s the time to upload your contact information and assign them to a desired campaign. An important thing to remember is you first need to create campaigns and then upload contacts to make your campaigns live.

3. Grow Your Subscriber Base

Another important step to maximize your text message donations for nonprofits is to grow your subscriber base. There are several ways you can do this:

• Create a signup landing page either using a 3rd-party tool or a page builder available in Textdrip. It enables you to collect user opt-ins and confirmation to send text messages.

• Promote your text messaging signup through your website to make it easy for users to sign up for your nonprofit SMS campaigns

• Send emails promoting your SMS sign-up to encourage users to subscribe to your SMS list.

• Also, create social media posts to spread the benefits of joining your SMS campaigns.

Ensure that your SMS campaigns are compliant with the regulations set by the governing authorities. You must collect explicit consent from users and provide them with a clear way to opt out whenever they want.

6 Ideas to Increase Text Message Donations for Nonprofits

If you are planning to launch a text marketing campaign for your nonprofit, here are some ideas to begin with for maximizing your donations:

1. Send Time-sensitive Donation Requests

Time-sensitive donation messages have higher fundraising potential when sent to users on time. You can start the fundraising campaign earlier if you want, however, it’s best if you also send a couple of texts just before the deadline approaches.

Highlight the deadline date in your messages to show urgency about the campaign. Here’s an example template you can use for this:

Template: Time-sensitive Donation Requests

Hi [first], Help us reach our goal! Donate by [Deadline Date] to support [Cause]. Every donation counts! Time is running out! Donate now to make a difference: [Donation Link]. Thank you for your support! Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

2. Send Engaging MMS Texts

MMS marketing is another helpful idea to capture the attention of your donors. Human brains are designed to process visual information more efficiently than just plain text.

So, when you send multimedia messages, like images, GIFs, or others, it helps quickly explain why you need the help of your supporters. Visual marketing can help evoke emotions and drive recipients to make donations.

Template: Engaging MMS Texts

[Image: Image of a heart symbolizing love and care]

Hi [first], your generosity can change lives! Your donation can help us [brief description of the impact]. Together, we can make a difference! Click here [Link to donation page] to donate now and support our cause.

3. Matching Gift Campaign

Promoting your matching gift campaign through SMS can be an effective way to increase donations. When donors know that whatever amount they donate will be matched, they are often motivated to take action.

Nonprofits can leverage the uniqueness of this campaign for their fundraising efforts and communicate the impact of matching donations. You can also explain how matched funds will be used to support their cause and showcase the progress toward the matching goal.

Template: Matching Gift Campaign

Hi [first], your generosity can make an even greater impact! We're thrilled to announce our Matching Gift Campaign, where every dollar you donate is DOUBLED. $50 becomes $100! To participate, simply click [link] or reply "MATCH" to this text. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

4. Holiday/Monthly Giving Campaign

Another example of text to donate for small nonprofits is to run holiday or monthly giving campaigns. These are strategic fundraising initiatives that leverage the holiday season or specific month to encourage donors to make recurring donations.

Through SMS, you can explain the concept of monthly giving or emphasize the spirit of a holiday, where donors make recurring or one-time contributions. These campaigns aim to inspire donors to make a lasting contribution to support your nonprofit's donation requirements.

Template -1: Monthly Giving

Hi [first], become a monthly donor! Consistent support allows us to plan and impact more lives. By committing just $XX monthly, you provide consistent support for [cause]. Ready to join? Simply reply "YES" to start your monthly gift. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

Template -2: Holiday Giving

Hello [first], wishing you joy and warmth this holiday season! As we embrace the spirit of giving, we invite you to join our Holiday Giving Campaign. Your contribution will empower us to [briefly mention a specific initiative or goal]. To donate, click [link] or reply GIVE. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

5. Emergency Relief Campaigns

Emergency relief campaigns are critical for nonprofit organizations and require immediate reach and prompt response from their supporters. SMS helps satisfy these goals and aims to raise funds quickly to support the affected communities during a crisis or disaster.

The text to donate for nonprofits can use text messaging tools to communicate and emphasize the urgency of the required immediate relief funds. This encourages recipients to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by disasters or crises.

Template: Emergency Relief Campaigns

Hi [first], our community is facing a crisis, and we need your help! Your support can make a real difference in providing emergency relief to those affected. Please consider donating today to [Nonprofit]. Visit [link] to contribute. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

6. Crowdfunding Campaign

Crowdfunding is another method you can use for text message donations for nonprofits. Here, your nonprofit can raise funds for a specific cause by collecting small donations from a large number of people.

Whether you are supporting a specific program, funding a community project, or providing disaster relief, crowdfunding can be an effective way. Clearly communicate the importance of the cause through text messages and be transparent about how the funds will be used to inspire donors to take action.

Template: Crowdfunding Campaign

Hello [first], we've launched a crowdfunding campaign for [the cause]. Here’s more information about the campaign: [Link]. Spread the word! Share this message with friends and family who believe in creating positive change. Thank you for being a beacon of hope. Reply ‘STOP’ to unsubscribe.

Maximize Your Donations with Textdrip

Start your text message donations for nonprofits by choosing a business texting service provider, setting up your campaigns, uploading your contacts, and sending text messages. It’s as easy as that!

Textdrip makes your journey to maximizing your donations by helping you automate your campaigns with an easy-to-follow process. Start a free trial to experience the difference Textdrip can bring to your nonprofit fundraising campaigns.