For nonprofit marketers and fundraisers trying to cut through all the noise out there, it can be tough to secure attention from donors. You’ve probably already seen examples on your own phone; messages from political campaigns, banks, or shopping brands. The good news? Nonprofits like yours have started leveraging mass texting to great effect over the past few years.

 

For those not quite in the know (yet), mass texting for nonprofits is an increasingly popular way to connect with your donor base. 

 

Not only does mass texting produce strong open rates (hello, 98%!), but it allows you to automate a large portion of the donor journey and many nonprofits are seeing stunning successes from their SMS campaigns. Read on to learn more about how to get started with mass texting for your nonprofit.

 

Learn How To Become a Better Nonprofit Marketer

 

What Is Mass Texting For Nonprofits?

 

Mass texting is the use of automated SMS text messaging to reach a large group of people at once. Increasingly marketers in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors are harnessing this communication method to reach larger groups of people with improved open and click-through rates.

 

Why Nonprofits Should Be Using Mass Texting

 

Mass texting is one of the most powerful and effective communication methods nonprofits can employ today. With 97% of Americans owning a cell phone (and checking those phones constantly throughout the day) text messaging is the quickest way to get someone’s attention and engage with your organization.

 

Text messaging leaves email in the dust, with an open rate of 90% compared to email’s 20% and click-through rates of 19.3% versus 4.2%. Plus, texting provides a wide swath of additional benefits, allowing nonprofits to reach their audience sooner than more traditional communication methods. SMS creates a two-way street where you can build relationships and have conversations with your donors that you can’t have anywhere else. Ask donors for important feedback, send out monthly updates on the work they’re supporting, or use the platform for coordinated donation asks—all in one place.

 

 

4 Ways Nonprofits Can Use Mass Texting

 

Think outside the box with your communications! Mass texting has the benefit of immediate engagement (the majority of people read texts within five minutes of receiving them), so look at your entire communication calendar and consider where a text campaign might fit in.

 

1. Fundraising

 

Fundraising is a no-brainer for mass text campaigns. Create a text-to-give campaign, where you invite donors to reply or text a five-digit number in response. Consider how you frame your message to encourage recurring donations.

 

Get More Recurring Donations

 

Consider making texting a part of your peer-to-peer fundraising, as well. Invite your donors to fundraise on your behalf and give them the tools they need to generate more gifts for your nonprofit.

 

2. Organize Volunteers

 

Mass texting is a great way to organize and motivate your volunteer base. As soon as a user opts in, you can send information on volunteer opportunities. Plus, texting is a great way to remind people to attend! You can quickly send details before the event, improving your turnout.

 

3. Communicate Announcements

 

Many nonprofits are using mass texting to convey important announcements. Got a big event coming up? Send that out via text message and make sure more people learn about it. Almost to your fundraising goal for your end-of-year campaign? Send a message out immediately to create urgency and increase gifts.

 

Mass texting is also a useful tool for sharing any changes or updates to an event or relaying information related to COVID-19.

 

4. Donor Stewardship

 

Show your donors you’re grateful for them by sending thank you messages immediately via text. Take the opportunity to craft your message and make it more personal; they’ll love receiving a note that feels more special than a mass email.

 

Our Favorite Mass Texting Service Providers

 

Looking for a provider to help you navigate the world of mass texting? We love Rally Corp, a human-centered text messaging platform to help you rally support, raise funds, and change the world. Rally Corp can work with your current fundraising platform, CRM, & data to build out your text campaigns and start raising more funds.

 

Starting at $99 a month, Rally Corp can help you increase engagement by 300%.

 

Low-cost Or Free Mass Texting Services For Nonprofits

 

If your nonprofit doesn’t have a lot of wiggle room in the budget this year, there are still several low-cost or free mass texting options that can help you that extra fundraising boost.

• GiveLively.org: Free for nonprofits, Give Lively offers an easy text-to-donate feature.
• Twilio.org: Offering pay-as-you-go pricing with volume discounts, Twilio is a scalable, secure mass texting option.
• EZTexting: Start with a free trial. From there, plans start at $19 a month.
• SlickText: Start with a free trial (50 text messages). From there, plans start at $29 a month.
• TextMagic: A good option for a quick setup, TextMagic offers a free trial, then charges four cents per text.
• SimpleTexting: Start with a free trial (50 text messages). From there, plans start at $25 a month.
• BulkSMS: BulkSMS allows you to purchase packages of text messages, starting at 3.2 cents per text. Visit their pricing slider for more information.

 

Implementing Mass Texting for Your Nonprofit

 

To successfully launch a mass texting campaign without straining your budget, follow these detailed steps:

 

Step 1: Define Your Objectives

 

Start by clearly defining what you want to achieve with your mass texting campaign. Whether it’s boosting fundraising efforts, improving volunteer attendance, or enhancing donor engagement, your goals will guide the strategy of your campaign.

 

Step 2: Choose the Right Mass Texting Service Provider

Select a mass texting service that fits your nonprofit’s needs and budget. Consider factors like ease of use, integration capabilities, cost, and customer support. 

 

Step 3: Build Your Subscriber List Legally

 

Ensuring legal compliance and adhering to best practices when building your subscriber list for mass texting is critical:

 

Opt-in Consent

Always obtain explicit consent from recipients before sending text messages. For nonprofits, this can often include oral consent collected at events or in person. However, many SMS platforms require written consent through an electronic opt-in to ensure compliance with platform standards and prevent account issues.

 

Opt-out Instructions

Include clear instructions for opting out in every message to comply with regulations and respect subscriber preferences.

 

Data Privacy

Be transparent about the use of subscriber data, adhering to data protection laws by securing personal information against unauthorized access.

 

Regular List Maintenance

Periodically clean your list to remove unresponsive or opted-out contacts, which helps maintain compliance and improves message effectiveness.

 

Considerate Messaging

Balance the frequency and timing of your messages to keep engagement high without overwhelming your subscribers.

By focusing on these key areas, your nonprofit can effectively manage legal risks and build a trustworthy relationship with your audience through your mass texting campaigns.

 

Step 4: Craft Your Message

 

Develop clear, concise, and compelling messages that align with your objectives. Aim for a message length of about 160 characters to ensure the content is delivered as a single SMS. Use a friendly tone and direct language to engage your audience effectively. Where possible, personalize messages to increase relevance and impact, keeping the character limit in mind to avoid segmentation.

 

Step 5: Schedule and Send Your Campaign

 

Plan the timing of your messages for maximum impact. For instance, send donation requests during peak giving times or volunteer reminders a few days before the event. Use the scheduling features of your chosen platform to automate the delivery process.

 

Step 6: Measure and Adapt

 

Monitor the performance of your texting campaigns through analytics tools provided by your mass texting service. Track metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Use this data to refine your approach, making adjustments to message content, timing, and frequency based on what works best.

 

Step 7: Maintain Compliance and Respect Preferences

 

Regularly update your contact list to respect user preferences for opting out of messages. Maintain compliance with changing regulations to protect your nonprofit from legal issues and maintain trust with your donors and volunteers.

 

Sample Text Messages for Nonprofit Campaigns

 

Effectively communicating through text messages can drive engagement and action. Below are refined examples tailored for different scenarios within nonprofit operations:

 

Fundraising Campaigns

 

• Annual Campaign Appeal: “Hi [Name]! Just $500 left to fund water projects for three communities. Help us meet our goal! Donate here: [Link]—make a lasting impact.”
• Special Event Invitation: “Join us, [Name], for a night under the stars at our Charity Ball on [Date]. Your presence supports our cause! Secure your spot: [Link]”

 

Volunteer Engagement

 

• Volunteer Event Call-to-Action: “Hey [Name]! Want to make a difference? We need volunteers this Saturday for our Park Clean-Up. Join the team by signing up here: [Link]”
• Volunteer Appreciation: “Thank you, [Name], for your time last week! Your efforts brought smiles to many faces. Check out photos from the event and spot yourself: [Link]”

 

Event Promotions

 

• Pre-Event Reminder: “Hi [Name], don’t forget about our workshop ‘Conservation Today’ this Thursday at 7 PM. Exciting discussions await! Details: [Link]”
• Event Follow-up: “Thank you for attending our webinar, [Name]! For more resources and to provide feedback, visit [Link]. We value your input!”

 

Donor Stewardship

 

• Donation Acknowledgement: “Thank you, [Name], for your generous gift! Your support empowers us every day. See your impact in action here: [Link]”
• Year-End Thank You: “As the year ends, we reflect on the incredible impact you’ve helped create, [Name]. Thank you! Look forward to new milestones with us in [Year]: [Link]”

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Mass Texting for Nonprofits

 

How do I ensure my nonprofit complies with texting laws?

 

Ensure compliance by obtaining explicit opt-in consent from all recipients before sending any messages. Always provide a clear and easy opt-out option in every message to adhere to regulations like the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act).

 

What is the best time to send text messages to donors?

 

The most effective times to send text messages are generally at noon, 2 p.m., and between 6-8 p.m. These times align with typical breaks in a person’s day—lunchtime, post-lunch low activity period, and evening relaxation time—increasing the likelihood that your message is seen and acted upon. Testing different times and monitoring engagement rates can also help identify the best times for your specific audience.

 

How can I measure the success of my mass texting campaigns?

 

Measure success through key performance indicators such as delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. Most mass texting services provide analytics tools that help track these metrics, allowing you to refine strategies and improve engagement over time.

Ready to elevate your nonprofit’s outreach? Start your journey with a mass texting provider and watch your engagement soar. Contact Community Boost today to learn more about our digital marketing services for nonprofits and see how we can help you make an impact.