Happy New Month!
March is one of the easiest months to plan nonprofit newsletters because the calendar does half the work for you.
Several global awareness days happen this month—moments when donors are already paying attention to issues nonprofits care about. When you connect your mission to these moments, your emails feel timely rather than routine.
Below is a detailed March email calendar with ideas you can use right away.
Remember, don’t make the awareness day the star of the email.
Your mission should still be the focus.
The awareness day simply gives you a timely reason to tell the story.
Date/Theme | Applicable Nonprofits (NTEE Core Codes) | Example Newsletter Ideas |
Read Across America Day (Mar 2) | Education (B20–B60); libraries (A50); literacy programs (B60); youth services (O20) | Impact: Child’s story of learning to read. Program Progress: Literacy program milestones. Fundraising: “Give the gift of books.” Events: Storytime or book drive. Volunteer: Reading buddies needed. Behind-the-Scenes: Staff share their favorite childhood books. |
International Women’s Day (Mar 8) | Women’s orgs (P85, R60); education (B20–B40); health (E20, E70 maternal/child health); advocacy (R20–R30) | Impact: Woman’s story of empowerment. Program Progress: Update on women’s leadership program. Fundraising: “Support women shaping tomorrow.” Events: Women’s empowerment panel. Volunteer: Mentorship signups. Behind-the-Scenes: Staff share inspiring women in their lives. |
World Kidney Day (Mar 13) | Health orgs (E70 renal health); patient support groups (G40); research (H20) | Impact: Patient testimony. Program Progress: Screening program results. Fundraising: “Your support helps save lives.” Events: Kidney health awareness walk. Volunteer: Medical volunteers for screenings. Behind-the-Scenes: Lab team preparing new research. |
International Day of Happiness (Mar 20) | Human services (P20–P99); mental health (F30); youth/family services (O20); faith-based orgs (X20–X99) | Impact: Family story of restored joy. Program Progress: Wellness program updates. Fundraising: “Help spread happiness.” Events: Happiness challenge week. Volunteer: Opportunities for acts of service. Behind-the-Scenes: Staff share what makes them happiest at work. |
World Water Day (Mar 22) | Environmental orgs (C30 water resources); international development (Q20–Q33); health (E20 clean water & sanitation) | Impact: Family gaining access to clean water. Program Progress: New wells drilled/filtration systems installed. Fundraising: “Every $50 brings clean water to a family.” Events: Awareness campaign. Volunteer: Water walk challenge. Behind-the-Scenes: Field teams digging wells. |
World TB Day (Mar 24) | Health orgs (E70 lung disease); research (H20); international health (Q33) | Impact: Patient recovery story. Program Progress: TB screening results. Fundraising: “End TB—support our mission.” Events: Awareness walk. Volunteer: Healthcare professionals needed. Behind-the-Scenes: Researchers discuss TB eradication efforts. |
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day (Mar 25) | Disability services (P80); health orgs (E70 neurology); advocacy orgs (R20–R30) | Impact: Story of child thriving with CP support. Program Progress: Therapy program highlights. Fundraising: “Support children with CP.” Events: Awareness campaign. Volunteer: Event assistants needed. Behind-the-Scenes: Therapists explaining daily work. |
National Vietnam War Veterans Day (Mar 29) | Military/veteran services (P40); patriotic orgs (W30); mental health (F30 for PTSD support) | Impact: Veteran’s personal testimony. Program Progress: Veteran support program updates. Fundraising: “Honor their sacrifice—support today’s veterans.” Events: Ceremony or recognition event. Volunteer: Companionship volunteers needed. Behind-the-Scenes: Staff planning veterans’ recognition. |
Women’s History Month (Mar, all month) | Women’s orgs (P85, R60); arts & culture (A23); education (B20–B40); advocacy (R20–R30) | Impact: Feature pioneering women in your community. Program Progress: Women’s leadership development updates. Fundraising: “Help us preserve women’s history.” Events: Lecture series, art exhibit. Volunteer: Docents for women’s history exhibits. Behind-the-Scenes: Archivists preparing women’s history displays. |
National Nutrition Month (Mar, all month) | Health orgs (E20 nutrition); food banks (K30); wellness orgs (N20); schools (B20–B40) | Impact: Family story of better health through nutrition. Program Progress: Nutrition program milestones. Fundraising: “Fuel a healthy future.” Events: Cooking demo or nutrition fair. Volunteer: Food prep or nutrition educators. Behind-the-Scenes: Nutritionist sharing healthy recipes. |
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (Mar, all month) | Disability services (P80); health (E70 neurology); advocacy orgs (R20–R30) | Impact: Success story of inclusion. Program Progress: Milestones in disability advocacy. Fundraising: “Support inclusive communities.” Events: Awareness campaigns, art shows. Volunteer: Buddies/mentors for programs. Behind-the-Scenes: Staff preparing inclusive events. |
Red Cross Month (Mar, all month) | Health/disaster relief orgs (M20–M40); blood services (E61); international relief (Q20–Q33) | Impact: Disaster survivor story. Program Progress: Disaster response updates. Fundraising: “Your gift saves lives.” Events: Blood drives, preparedness workshops. Volunteer: Blood donors and disaster response volunteers. Behind-the-Scenes: Emergency kits being packed. |
When done well, these calendar moments make your emails feel relevant, thoughtful, and connected to what people are already talking about.
Cheers to your impact
Carol
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