Template 1: The "Urgent Story" Email
Use this for time-sensitive campaigns (disaster relief, medical emergencies, etc.).
Subject: 🚨 [First Name], Maria Has 72 Hours to Survive – Can You Help?
Hi [First Name],
Maria is 8 years old. She loves drawing elephants and dreams of becoming a teacher. But right now, she’s lying in a makeshift hospital bed, fighting severe malnutrition.
Here’s the problem:
Our clinic in [Region] only has 3 days of supplies left. Without immediate help, Maria and 42 other children won’t get the therapeutic food they need to survive.
Here’s how you can change that:
▸ 50feedsachildfor2weeks▸50feedsachildfor2weeks▸150 covers emergency medical supplies
▸ $300 keeps the clinic running for a day
Every minute counts.
Thank you for being someone Maria can count on,
[Your Name]
[Your Role] at [Non-Profit]
P.S. If you can’t donate today, share this message to spread the word. Maria’s story deserves to be heard.
Why This Works:
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Humanizes the cause with a specific story (names, details).
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Urgency + specificity: Deadlines and exact donation impacts build trust.
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PS option for non-donors keeps them engaged.
Template 2: The "Impact Update" Email
Perfect for recurring donors or mid-campaign updates.
Subject: 🌱 You Did This, [First Name]! (See How)
Hi [First Name],
Because of you, 17 families in [Village] just drank clean water for the first time.
Your $[Last Donation Amount] at work:
✅ Built 1 rainwater harvesting tank
✅ Trained 4 local technicians to maintain it
✅ Provided hygiene kits to 23 children
But we’re not done yet.
Right now, 200 more families in [Region] are drinking from polluted rivers. With your help, we can change that by [Deadline].
Give Again ⟶
Your gift today will be matched 2X!
With gratitude,
[Your Name]
[Non-Profit]
P.S. Want to see your impact firsthand? Watch this 1-minute video of the families you helped.
Why This Works:
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Shows tangible results (numbers, photos/video links).
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Reinforces donor identity: “You did this” language fuels pride.
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Matching offers incentivize repeat giving.
Template 3: The "Community Hero" Email
Ideal for peer-to-peer fundraising or event invitations.
Subject: 🤝 [First Name], We Need Your Superpower
Hi [First Name],
You’re the kind of person who shows up when it matters.
Right now, [Non-Profit] is rallying 100 local heroes to:
➔ Pack 5,000 meals for food-insecure families
➔ Raise $25,000 for our community kitchen
➔ Build a movement that outlasts this event
Here’s your mission (choose one):
🔹 Join us on [Date] at [Location]
🔹 Donate $50 to sponsor a volunteer’s meal-packing shift
🔹 Forward this email to 3 friends who care
Let’s make this the biggest act of love [City] has ever seen.
With hope,
[Your Name]
[Non-Profit]
P.S. Wear purple—it’s the color of compassion! (And we’ll have matching shirts 😊)
Why This Works:
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Empowers donors with choices and a team mentality.
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FOMO + fun: Event details and inside jokes (“purple shirts”) build belonging.
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Low-barrier asks (forwarding, small donations) widen reach.
BONUS: The Follow-Up Framework
If they don’t respond in 5 days, send this:
Copy
Subject: 🙏 [First Name], we’re counting on you… Hi [First Name], I know your inbox is packed, but I wanted to gently circle back. Maria’s clinic is now down to [X] supplies. OR We’re only [X] meals short of our goal. If you can’t give today, could you help by sharing this with someone who might? **[Share This ⟶](https://example.com/share)** Either way, thank you for caring.
Key Psychology-Driven Tips
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Lead with “You”: Donors want to feel like protagonists, not ATM machines.
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❌ “We need donations.”
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✅ “You can save Maria today.”
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Use “Sacred Numbers”: Specific amounts (50,50,150) feel more tangible than sliders.
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Add a PS: 79% of readers scan emails starting with the PS. Use it for:
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Urgency (“Supplies run out Friday!”)
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Social proof (“327 donors have joined this week!”)
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Test These Subject Line Formulas:
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“How your $50 changed [Name]’s life”
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“[City] needs you – here’s why”
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“You’re invited to do something extraordinary”
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