Best Email Marketing Tool for Nonprofits in 2025
Email marketing platforms with nonprofit discounts and free plans. Engage donors, promote events, and run fundraising campaigns on a budget.
Bottom line up front
Engage donors year-round so fundraising campaigns feel natural, not desperate
Our Top Pick
MailerLite
Start free — no credit card required for most plans
Why Nonprofits Need the Right Tool
Nonprofit email marketing is fundamentally about donor relationships. The organizations that raise the most money aren't the ones with the biggest lists — they're the ones with the most engaged lists, built through consistent communication that goes beyond just asking for money. Impact stories, program updates, volunteer spotlights, and mission-driven content build the trust that makes donors open their wallets when campaigns launch.
In this guide, we've evaluated the top options based on features that matter specifically for nonprofits: ease of setup, pricing at small-team scale, integrations with the tools you already use, and — most importantly — whether the tool actually gets used after the first month. These are not generic recommendations. Each pick is chosen because it solves the specific problems nonprofits face.
The real problem to solve
Many nonprofits only email their list during fundraising seasons — which trains donors to ignore them.
Top 5 Tools — At a Glance
| Feature | Mailchimp | ActiveCampaign | Constant Contact | MailerLite | Brevo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★ 4.3/5 | ★ 4.5/5 | ★ 4/5 | ★ 4.6/5 | — |
| Starting Price | Free up to 500 contacts (paid from $13/mo) | From $15/mo (up to 1,000 contacts) | From $12/mo (500 contacts) | Free up to 1,000 subscribers (paid from $9/mo) | — |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | — |
| Best For | Small businesses and beginners starting their email list | Businesses that want the most powerful email automation without enterprise pricing | Small businesses and nonprofits that want simplicity and phone support | Bloggers, creators, and small businesses who want great design at low cost | — |
| Free Trial | Visit site → | Try ActiveCampaign Free | Visit site → | Visit site → | Visit site → |
In-Depth Reviews
Here's what you need to know about each option before starting a trial.
Mailchimp
Email marketing for everyone
4.3/5
16,800 reviews
Pricing
Free up to 500 contacts (paid from $13/mo)
✓ Free plan availableBest For
Small businesses and beginners starting their email list
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Best free plan for beginners (500 contacts)
- ✓Very easy to use
- ✓Huge template library
- ✓Good integration with e-commerce platforms
- ✓Brand recognition and trust
Cons
- ✗Automation is basic compared to ActiveCampaign
- ✗Pricing gets expensive as list grows
- ✗Customer support limited on free plan
ActiveCampaign
Email & marketing automation that works
4.5/5
10,100 reviews
Pricing
From $15/mo (up to 1,000 contacts)
Best For
Businesses that want the most powerful email automation without enterprise pricing
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Best-in-class automation builder
- ✓Built-in CRM with pipeline management
- ✓Excellent deliverability
- ✓Advanced segmentation and tagging
- ✓Predictive sending and AI features
Cons
- ✗No free plan (14-day trial)
- ✗Can be overwhelming for beginners
- ✗Price increases significantly as list grows
Commission: 20–30% recurring
Try ActiveCampaign Free →Constant Contact
Email marketing with expert support
4/5
9,400 reviews
Pricing
From $12/mo (500 contacts)
Best For
Small businesses and nonprofits that want simplicity and phone support
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Very easy to use for non-technical users
- ✓Phone and chat support on all plans
- ✓Good event management tools
- ✓Nonprofit discounts available
- ✓Strong list growth tools
Cons
- ✗Automation is basic
- ✗No free plan
- ✗Design editor feels dated
- ✗Expensive relative to features
MailerLite
Top PickSimple email marketing that gets results
4.6/5
6,100 reviews
Pricing
Free up to 1,000 subscribers (paid from $9/mo)
✓ Free plan availableBest For
Bloggers, creators, and small businesses who want great design at low cost
Ideal For
Pros
- ✓Best free plan in the category (1,000 subscribers)
- ✓Beautiful templates and drag-and-drop editor
- ✓Solid automation features
- ✓Landing page builder included
- ✓Excellent price-to-value ratio
Cons
- ✗Automation less powerful than ActiveCampaign
- ✗CRM features are minimal
- ✗Less suitable for complex B2B sequences
Brevo
Detailed review coming soon.
How to Choose the Right Tool for Nonprofits
Before you start a free trial, answer these three questions honestly:
- Who will actually use this every day? The best tool is the one your team uses consistently — not the one with the most features. If you're a solo operator, complexity is your enemy. If you have a team of 10+, look for tools with strong onboarding and admin controls.
- What does your workflow look like today? The tools that see the highest adoption are ones that fit into existing workflows rather than requiring a complete process overhaul. Look for tools that integrate with software you already use.
- What's your 12-month budget? Most tools start cheap and scale with usage. Run the numbers on what you'll pay at 6 months and 12 months — not just the entry price. Factor in user seats and any add-ons you'll need.
Our recommendation for most nonprofits: start with MailerLite. Bloggers, creators, and small businesses who want great design at low cost
Ready to get started?
Try MailerLite Free
Most plans include a free trial or free tier — no credit card required. Set up takes less than 10 minutes.
Affiliate commission: 20–30% recurring
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