Texting service for nonprofits: Guide with examples & tips
Connect with your school community instantly through fast, reliable, and stress-free SMS communication.
Introduction to SMS for nonprofits
Whether you are getting food to families, rallying for clean air, or helping someone cast their first vote, every text you send can spark action and hope. SMS connects you to real people in real time with messages that get seen and felt. With most texts read in minutes and a 98% open rate, it puts your mission right where it matters, in the hands and hearts of those ready to make a difference.
Why mass text marketing is a game-changer for nonprofits
Benefits and why it matters
- 98% open rate: Text messages are nearly always read, making them ideal for urgent updates and donation appeals.
- Instant delivery: Messages reach supporters in seconds that’s perfect for event reminders, last-minute calls, and emergencies.
- High engagement: SMS campaigns often outperform email in click-through and response rates.
- Low cost, high ROI: Send messages at a fraction of the cost of traditional mail or phone calls.
- No internet required: Reach supporters in low-connectivity areas, ideal for grassroots and global nonprofit efforts.
- Easy to automate: Automate donation reminders, volunteer sign-ups, and onboarding workflows using Infobip
- Scales with your cause: Whether you have 500 or 500,000 contacts, mass texting is flexible and scalable.
- Two-way communication: Start conversations, answer questions, and collect feedback through SMS
How to implement SMS marketing in your nonprofit
Getting started with SMS marketing is simpler than many nonprofits expect. With the right platform and strategy, your team can launch campaigns in minutes, without needing technical skills or extra staff.
1. Choose the right texting platform
Start by selecting a provider that supports scale, compliance, and ease of use, Infobip was built with all three in mind.
To ensure your platform meets your needs:
- Look for high-volume sending and global delivery reliability
- Prioritize features like 2-way messaging, keyword opt-ins, and templates
- Ensure it aligns with opt-in laws like TCPA, GDPR, and CTIA rules
2. Build and manage your contact list
A high-performing SMS campaign starts with a clean, segmented, and fully opted-in list.
To build and maintain your supporter list effectively:
- Collect numbers via donation pages, events, and newsletter signups
- Segment contacts by interest, geography, or donor lifecycle
- Confirm consent and provide clear opt-in messaging
3. Create compliant messages
Your messages should be short, actionable, and aligned with your brand voice—all while staying compliant.
When crafting your SMS content:
- Focus on one goal per message (e.g., donate, register, share)
- Personalize using names, past actions, or location
- Always include opt-out language like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”
4. Automate your outreach
Save time and create consistent supporter experiences by setting up automated journeys.
To automate effectively:
- Use SMS flows for donation reminders, event follow-ups, or onboarding
- Trigger messages based on supporter behavior or specific dates
- Design workflows with Infobip Moments for scalability
5. Track performance and optimize
Once you’re live, data becomes your best friend. Use it to iterate and improve.
To measure and enhance your campaigns:
- Monitor delivery rates, replies, and opt-outs regularly
- A/B test timing, wording, and CTA placement
- Review Infobip’s built-in analytics to refine campaigns over time
Best practices for nonprofit text message marketing
To build real trust and lasting connections through SMS, it is important to lead with care and clarity. These simple practices help you reach donors, volunteers, and supporters in a way that feels respectful, human, and genuinely supportive of your shared mission.
Always get clear opt-in before texting
SMS is a permission-based channel. Respecting that trust builds credibility—and keeps you compliant.
Follow these consent best practices:
- Use sign-up forms, keywords (e.g., “Text JOIN to 12345”), or checkboxes for opt-in
- Send a confirmation message when someone subscribes
- Clearly explain what type of messages they’ll receive and how often
Keep your messages short, focused, and donor-first
Nonprofit supporters are busy. Get to the point quickly and lead with the impact.
When crafting your message:
- Aim for 160 characters or less
- Start with value or urgency: “Your $10 feeds 3 families—Give now”
- Use a clear CTA like “Donate,” “Register,” or “Share”
Send personalized messages at the right time and frequency
The timing of your message can impact both engagement and opt-out rates.
Here’s how to respect your audience’s attention:
- Send between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the recipient’s local time
- Limit frequency to 2–4 texts per month unless it’s a time-sensitive campaign
- Avoid weekends unless it’s event-related or highly relevant
Make every SMS easy to act on
Drive action by removing friction. Your call to action should be obvious and compelling.
Strong SMS CTAs look like this:
- “Tap to donate” with a short link
- “Reply YES to confirm” for event RSVPs
- “Text VOLUNTEER to 55555 to sign up”
Always include an opt-out option
Maintaining trust means giving supporters control over communication.
Ensure every message includes:
- Simple instructions like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe”
- Compliance with local regulations (TCPA, GDPR, etc.)
- Easy access to support or contact info when needed
How different nonprofits use texting: With examples
Text messaging isn’t one-size-fits-all. From local food banks to global advocacy groups, nonprofits use SMS in a wide variety of ways—each tailored to their mission, audience, and impact goals.
Here are real examples of how nonprofits across different cause areas are leveraging SMS to communicate, engage, and drive action:
| Cause area | How they use SMS |
|---|---|
| Humanitarian aid |
Deliver emergency updates, launch urgent donation appeals, and coordinate responders. Example: “Emergency in Jakarta—$10 feeds a family today. Tap to give: [shortlink]” |
| Animal welfare |
Alert supporters to adoption events, send pet care tips, and request volunteers. Example: “Meet Bella 🐶 at our adoption event Sat @ 10am. Reply YES to RSVP.” |
| Education & youth |
Send class reminders, update parents, and promote fundraisers. Example: “School fundraiser ends Friday—every $5 helps us buy books. Give now: [link]” |
| Faith-based groups |
Share weekly service reminders, prayer chain requests, or donation drives. Example: “Join our 6pm online prayer service tonight. Reply JOIN for the Zoom link.” |
| Environmental NGOs |
Mobilize supporters for cleanups, share advocacy alerts, or fundraise for conservation. Example: “🌱 Earth Day Cleanup: Sat 9am @ Central Park. Text YES to join!” |
| Health & wellness |
Promote vaccination drives, send appointment reminders, or share wellness tips. Example: “Reminder: Free diabetes screening this Wed @ 2pm. Book now: [link]” |
| Advocacy & civil rights |
Rally supporters, send petition links, or update on legal wins. Example: “Your voice matters. Sign our equality petition before midnight: [shortlink]” |
Tip
Use SMS keywords like JOIN, GIVE, or VOLUNTEER to let supporters easily engage with your campaigns—anytime, anywhere.
Want to try the best SMS marketing platform?
Start a free trial today.
Texting service for nonprofits FAQs
Infobip offers a scalable, secure SMS platform that helps nonprofits send timely, targeted messages to supporters, volunteers, and donors. From fundraising campaigns to real-time updates, our tools make mass communication simple and effective.
You can send donation appeals, event invites, volunteer requests, program updates, appointment reminders, emergency alerts, and more, all personalized and delivered instantly.
Yes. Automated SMS reminders, RSVP prompts, and segmented follow-ups help nonprofits boost attendance and mobilize volunteers quickly.
Absolutely. Infobip helps you stay compliant with global opt-in standards, including TCPA, GDPR, and carrier-specific rules. Our platform includes built-in consent capture and opt-out management tools.
By sending time-sensitive donation requests, sharing impact stories, and using SMS keywords (e.g., “GIVE”), nonprofits can drive direct contributions and re-engage lapsed donors.
Yes. With Infobip, you can tag and segment your list by location, engagement level, donor history, or custom fields for hyper-targeted outreach.
Yes. You can hold two-way conversations at scale—responding to questions, gathering feedback, or confirming attendance with automated replies or live agents.
Infobip connects easily with popular CRM tools via API and integrations, allowing you to sync contacts, trigger messages, and track interactions seamlessly.
Infobip offers flexible pricing and enterprise-grade features, making it accessible for both small local groups and large international NGOs.
Getting started is easy. Sign up, connect your contact database, choose your sender ID, and launch your first SMS campaign. Need help? Our experts are here to guide you every step of the way.
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