Multichannel fundraising campaigns are one of the most effective ways to increase donor engagement and raise more for your nonprofit. By sharing your fundraising message across multiple platforms—such as email, direct mail, and social media—you significantly improve the chances that donors will take action.

In one case study, donors who received both direct mail and email saw a 60.5% increase in response rate compared to those reached through a single channel.

But what exactly is multichannel fundraising? Why is it so effective? And how can your nonprofit implement it successfully? Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Multichannel Fundraising?

Multichannel fundraising is the strategy of using several communication platforms to engage donors and prospects. These may include:

• Email

• Direct mail

• Social media

• Text messaging

• Digital advertising

• Events

• Your nonprofit’s website

Instead of relying on one method, this approach allows nonprofits to reach supporters through their preferred communication styles. It increases visibility, creates more engagement opportunities, and makes it easier for donors to respond.

Why Multichannel Fundraising Works

Relying on a single communication channel limits your reach. Some supporters respond best to emails, others to social media or print. A multichannel strategy increases the likelihood that your message will be noticed and remembered.

Additionally, research shows that it takes an average of seven interactions before someone acts on a message. Using multiple platforms helps meet this threshold in a way that feels natural rather than repetitive. It also creates a more consistent and recognizable campaign experience.

How to Build a Multichannel Fundraising Campaign

1. Choose Your Channels

You don’t need to use every platform available. Begin with the ones you already have access to. For example, combining email and direct mail is a great place to start. Below are some of the most commonly used and effective channels for nonprofits.

Website

Your nonprofit’s website should serve as the central hub for your fundraising campaign. It’s where donors go to learn more, get involved, or make a donation. That’s why keeping your site clear, professional, and easy to navigate is essential.

Tips for nonprofit websites:

• Keep all content current and donor-focused

• Make the donation form easy to find from your homepage

• Use DonorSnap’s Responsive Forms Tool to collect online donations

• 68% of global donors trust websites with a .org domain more than any other

Email

Email remains one of the most cost-effective and scalable communication tools available to nonprofits. It works well for everything from monthly newsletters to targeted fundraising appeals.

Email best practices:

• Regularly clean your list to avoid high bounce rates

• Always comply with CAN-SPAM laws

• Use DonorSnap’s Mass Email Tool or integrate with Constant Contact for additional design options

Social Media

Social media is a powerful way to build awareness and tell your story. Unlike email or print, it offers real-time engagement and encourages sharing among supporters.

Social media tips:

• Post engaging visuals and donor stories related to your campaign

• Use scheduling tools like Buffer or Later to plan ahead

• 29% of online donors say social media inspires them to give

• Promote giving days like GivingTuesday to increase reach

Direct Mail

Despite the rise of digital communication, direct mail remains an important part of many nonprofit fundraising strategies. It’s especially effective for older donors and high-impact campaign launches.

Direct mail tips:

• Kick off your campaign with a mailed appeal, then follow up digitally

• Include remittance envelopes or links to your online donation page

• Studies show print mail leaves a stronger emotional impression than digital ads

• Use DonorSnap’s DataMiner Platinum to build targeted mailing lists

Text Messaging (SMS)

Text messaging offers a fast and effective way to share time-sensitive messages. It’s particularly helpful for reminders, last-minute appeals, or updates on urgent campaigns.

SMS tips:

• Keep messages short, clear, and actionable

• Include direct links to your donation form when possible

• Text messages receive 12x the response rate of emails or phone calls

• Connect your DonorSnap account to Twilio to send messages directly

Digital Advertising

Online advertising can expand your reach and attract new donors. While not essential for all nonprofits, it’s especially useful for larger campaigns or growing your audience beyond your existing base.

Advertising tips:

• Start with Google Ads and Facebook Ads for cost-effective visibility

• Apply for the Google Ad Grant to receive up to $10,000/month in free ad spend

• 60% of nonprofits have an ad budget, with a median spend of about $12,000 annually

2. Segment Your Audience

Segmentation allows you to deliver more personalized and relevant messages. If your nonprofit is using a CRM like DonorSnap, you can easily organize contacts based on giving history, location, interests, or communication preferences.

Segmentation tips:

• Ask donors how they prefer to be contacted

• Only send texts or emails with prior consent

• Customized communication increases trust and response rates

3. Customize Messages by Channel

Your campaign message should remain consistent, but the delivery should be adapted to each platform. Matching tone, length, and format to the channel makes each interaction more effective.

Example breakdown:

• Direct Mail: Detailed letter with personal story and donation form

• Email: Brief version with links and a clear call to action

• Social Media: Bite-sized posts with visuals or short videos

• Text Message: Quick reminder with a donation link

Tailoring content in this way makes your message easier to digest and more engaging for your audience.

4. Plan, Schedule, and Track

After choosing your channels and preparing your content, create a campaign calendar. This helps you coordinate outreach and avoid overwhelming your donors.

Begin with a printed mailing to introduce the campaign. Follow up with a series of emails, social media posts, and text messages at strategic intervals. Use DonorSnap to track engagement by setting up a main campaign name—like “Annual Fund 2025”—and creating specific appeals under that campaign (e.g., Email #1, October Mailing, GivingTuesday Post).

Tracking your results across channels helps you identify what works and refine your approach over time.

Final Thoughts

Multichannel fundraising allows your nonprofit to connect with more donors, improve engagement, and increase giving. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your current strategy, the key is to use the tools you have and expand thoughtfully.

With a clear message, strategic outreach, and smart segmentation, your next fundraising campaign can be more successful than ever. Tools like DonorSnap simplify the process, helping you manage everything in one place—from email and text to donation tracking and reporting.

Want to simplify your next campaign?
Schedule a demo with DonorSnap to see how our tools can support your multichannel fundraising efforts.