Did you talk about your impact in your most recent newsletter?
How about the one before that?
And the one before that?
If you’re like most small nonprofits, the answer is probably yes.
I read dozens of nonprofit newsletters every month, and two topics show up more than anything else:
Impact updates
Beneficiary stories or spotlights
These are essential.
They work.
They help supporters understand why your work matters and often serve as a natural bridge into a funding ask.
You should not stop sending them.
But they are not the only content your audience needs.
Most nonprofit email lists are made up of different groups of people:
Donors at different stages
Volunteers (past, current, and potential)
People with lived experience
Past beneficiaries
General supporters and advocates
Community members who care but aren’t ready to give
All of these people may have different communication needs e.g. a person with lived experience may be looking for educational content around their situation while a major donor might be interested in leadership updates, strategic goal progress etc.
When every newsletter focuses on impact and beneficiary stories alone, some readers may not always resonate.
The answer isn’t more emails. It’s more intentional variety.
Here is the Full list of Content Buckets For Nonprofit Newsletters
Impact updates and beneficiary stories are the foundation—but a well-rounded nonprofit newsletter reflects the full ecosystem around your mission.
Below is the full list of 8 content types you can rotate throughout the year, along with who they serve, why they matter, and story prompts you can use immediately.
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