# Best Email Marketing Software for Nonprofits (2026) | Capterra | Capterra > I evaluated 6 top email marketing platforms for nonprofits — here are the best options for small, growing, and large organizations, including free plans and nonprofit discounts." Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/email-marketing-software-for-nonprofits/ --- # Best Email Marketing Software for Nonprofits, Matched to Your Org Size (2026) Written by: Andrew Blair Andrew BlairAuthor Content Analyst  Experience I have been writing for Capterra since April 2022 and have amassed a wealth of experience in writing content on topics such as ma... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/andrew-blair/) Published July 9, 2026 19 min read Table of Contents - [What Nonprofits Should Look for in Email Marketing Software](#what-nonprofits-should-look-for-in-email-marketing-software) - [Best Email Marketing Software for Small Nonprofits](#best-email-marketing-software-for-small-nonprofits-my-top-picks) - [Best Email Marketing Software for Growing Nonprofits](#best-email-marketing-software-for-growing-nonprofits-what-i-recommend) - [Best Email Marketing Software for Large Nonprofits](#best-email-marketing-software-for-large-nonprofits-enterprise-options-ive-found) - [How to Claim Your Nonprofit Discount](#how-to-claim-your-nonprofit-discount) - [Find the Right Email Marketing Software for Your Nonprofit](#find-the-right-email-marketing-software-for-your-nonprofit) - [Frequently Asked Questions](#frequently-asked-questions) Every [email marketing software](https://www.capterra.com/email-marketing-software/) platform — designed to help organizations build, send, and track email campaigns to a list of contacts — claims it's built for nonprofits. Most are built for e-commerce companies and retrofitted with a "nonprofit discount" badge. The result is a crowded market where every tool looks roughly similar, comparison guides rarely help you actually choose, and the buying decision stalls. The filter that works is simpler than any feature matrix: your organization's size. The right email marketing software for a 200-person donor list is the wrong tool for a 20,000-person list. Contact count, staff capacity, CRM requirements, and budget don't just affect which tier you land on, they determine which category of tool fits your org altogether. Picking based on a feature list instead of org size is the most common reason nonprofits outgrow a platform six months after switching. After evaluating the leading email marketing platforms for nonprofits and charities, I've organized my recommendations across three tiers: Starter (under 1,000 contacts, budget under $50/month), Growing (1,000–10,000 contacts, $50–$200/month), and Established/Large (10,000+ contacts, $200+/month). I've also included the nonprofit discount programs and free plans that many organizations don't realize they qualify for. Below you can find a step-by-step guide to claiming your nonprofit discount, since most platforms bury the application process. Jump to the tier that fits your org, or read through to understand how your needs change as you grow. ## What Nonprofits Should Look for in Email Marketing Software Before comparing platforms, I think it's worth aligning on what actually matters for nonprofits. Here are the six criteria I evaluated every platform against. - **Ease of use.** Most nonprofit staff aren't dedicated email marketers, they're managing donor relationships or grant reporting at the same time. A no-code drag-and-drop editor and ready-built templates matter more than a feature-rich tool that requires a tech team to configure. - **Nonprofit pricing programs and free tiers.** Many platforms offer 30–50% discounts for verified nonprofits, plus robust free plans. These programs are rarely on the main pricing page — check the platform's social impact or nonprofit page directly. - **Contact list scalability.** The right platform at 500 contacts can be the wrong one at 5,000. Look for pricing tiers that scale predictably and don't lock key features behind steep cost jumps. - **CRM integration.** If your org manages donor data in a separate [donor CRM](https://www.capterra.com/crm-software/), the email platform needs to integrate cleanly with it. Manual data exports between systems are a sign of a mismatched stack. According to \*[_Capterra's sales and marketing software trends research_](https://www.capterra.com/resources/sales-and-marketing-software-trends/), CRM systems are considered "critical" by 57% of software users — more than any other sales or marketing software category. Email is also the most important CRM channel for 29% of respondents, ahead of social media (25%) and digital ads (21%) — which is why choosing an email platform that integrates cleanly with your donor CRM matters more than any single feature comparison. Browse [email marketing software](https://www.capterra.com/email-marketing-software/) options that integrate with your donor CRM. - **Automation depth.** Welcome sequences, donation follow-ups, event reminders, and lapsed-donor re-engagement flows should all be buildable without developer support. Automation is the sharpest differentiator between Starter and Growing tier platforms. - **Deliverability.** Open rates are meaningless if emails are landing in spam. Deliverability infrastructure matters more at scale, especially for large orgs sending to 10,000+ contacts, it's non-negotiable. One question worth settling before you choose: do you need email marketing software, a donor CRM, or both? A donor CRM manages relationship data and gives history. An email platform manages campaign delivery and automation. Small orgs can often start with an email platform alone. Growing and large orgs typically need both integrated — or a platform like HubSpot that combines CRM and email in one system. **Related:** Looking for donor management alongside email? Browse [nonprofit CRM software](https://www.capterra.com/nonprofit-crm-software/) on Capterra to evaluate options before deciding whether to integrate or consolidate. ## Best Email Marketing Software for Small Nonprofits: My Top Picks **Starter Tier — Under 1,000 Contacts · 1–3 Staff · Budget Under $50/Month** When I look at what small nonprofits need from an email platform, three things come up every time: it has to work immediately without a tech setup process, it needs a meaningful free tier, and the pricing can't spike the moment a list starts to grow. The three platforms below are my top picks for this tier. **Product** **Overall  Rating** **Free Plan** **Starting Paid Price** **Nonprofit Discount** [Mailchimp](https://www.capterra.com/p/110228/MailChimp/) 4.5/5 Yes (up to 500 contacts) $13/mo No formal program [Brevo](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/) 4.6/5 Yes (unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day) $9/mo Check social impact page [MailerLite](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/) 4.7/5 Yes (up to 1K contacts, 12K emails/mo) $12/mo Yes (verified nonprofits) _Note: Starting prices are as of July 2026 and are subject to change._ * * * ### [Mailchimp](https://www.capterra.com/p/110228/MailChimp/) Mailchimp is my top recommendation for small nonprofits that want a recognizable platform they can get running in under an hour. Its free plan supports up to 500 contacts and includes a solid template library, basic audience segmentation, and campaign analytics — everything a small org needs to start. The interface has a shallow learning curve, which matters when the person setting it up is already managing two or three other responsibilities. One Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist at a nonprofit who has used the platform for two or more years describes it this way: _"I've used Mailchimp for years and it's consistently been a solid, dependable platform. It's user-friendly, stable, and perfect for organizations managing fairly simple lists or campaigns. While it doesn't have all the advanced integrations I'd like, it continues to be a go-to solution for clean, effective email communication."_ A Commanding Officer at a nonprofit membership organization adds: _"Overall, Mailchimp allowed me to maintain a constant flow of communication to the members of my organization. With it I was able to obtain sales, have people attend events, and overall just be more successful in what I had going on."_ **What I like about Mailchimp:** - The free plan requires zero configuration — templates, segmentation, and reporting are all ready on day one, which is important for orgs without a dedicated marketing person - The platform's brand recognition means donors and staff are often already familiar with how its emails look, which can improve open rate consistency early on **What I dislike about Mailchimp:** - The free tier caps at 500 contacts, which means most growing nonprofits will outgrow it faster than they expect - Deeper CRM integrations are restricted to paid tiers, limiting its usefulness for orgs managing donor data in a separate system #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ### [Brevo](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/) Brevo is my pick for small nonprofit teams without a dedicated tech resource. Its free plan allows unlimited contacts with up to 300 emails per day — a better structure for growing lists than a hard contact ceiling. The drag-and-drop email builder is genuinely no-code, and the platform includes SMS marketing alongside email in the same account, which is useful for event-day communications or urgent donor appeals. A Digital Communications Director at a nonprofit with two-plus years on the platform makes the case directly: _"Brevo is how accessible it makes all this for small nonprofit teams. Between our drag-and-drop email builder, marketing automation, and SMS integration, we're able to execute pro-level outreach without a single tech department. It's super budget-friendly for what it offers."_ A Media and Communications Manager at a nonprofit confirms the day-to-day ease: _"Its well-organized interface allows users to navigate seamlessly between different features, such as automation, templates, and contact management. Additionally, setting up workflows and managing subscriber lists is straightforward, helping users save time and focus on engaging their audience effectively."_ **What I like about Brevo:** - Unlimited contacts on the free plan with a daily send cap is a better model than Mailchimp's contact ceiling — especially for orgs whose list grows faster than their send volume - Native SMS + email in a single account makes Brevo the only platform in this tier that covers both channels without adding a separate tool or cost **What I dislike about Brevo:** - The 300-email daily send limit requires advance planning if your org needs to send a large batch in one go — orgs with time-sensitive campaigns may hit friction here - Full automation workflows are limited on the free plan; the complete workflow builder unlocks at the paid tier #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ### [MailerLite](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/) MailerLite offers the most generous free plan in this category: up to 1,000 contacts and 12,000 emails per month, with no daily send cap. The template library is consistently praised for visual quality, and the platform has a verified nonprofit discount program for organizations that need to upgrade to a paid plan. An International Director at a nonprofit puts it plainly: _"Their templates and drag and drop features are seamless, well designed, and easy to use. Bonus: They offer discounts for nonprofits!"_ A Membership Director at a nonprofit confirms the ease of subscriber management: _"Very simple to use. Good functionalities to manage subscribers and create emails from templates. Responsive and useful customer support."_ **What I like about MailerLite:** - The free plan's 1,000-contact limit gives small nonprofits the most room to grow before an upgrade becomes necessary — more than any other platform in this tier - The nonprofit discount program makes MailerLite one of the few platforms that actively reduces costs for eligible organizations, not just offers a generic free trial **What I dislike about MailerLite:** - Advanced automation features — multiple triggers, A/B testing workflows — require a paid plan, which limits what early-stage nonprofits can set up on the free tier - Native integrations are fewer than Mailchimp at the free tier, which can matter for orgs already using other tools **My bottom line for small nonprofits:** Mailchimp gets you running with minimal setup. MailerLite gives you the most room to grow before a free plan runs out. Brevo is the only platform in this tier that bundles SMS natively alongside email — a real advantage for orgs that communicate via text. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Related:** If you're evaluating your broader tech stack alongside email, see how [marketing automation software](https://www.capterra.com/marketing-automation-software/) compares and whether a combined platform might serve your org better long-term. * * * ## Best Email Marketing Software for Growing Nonprofits: What I Recommend **Mid-Tier — 1,000–10,000 Contacts · Dedicated Comms Staff · $50–$200/Month** Growing nonprofits reach a recognizable inflection point: the free plan they started with now costs more than expected at scale, automation needs are outpacing the tool's capabilities, and someone is asking whether the email platform connects to the donor database. At this tier, I find that org infrastructure shapes the decision as much as features or price. That pressure is well-founded: 74% of organizations have already purchased CRM software, with 19% planning to in the next year\*. For growing nonprofits, the question isn't whether you'll need CRM integration — it's whether your email platform is ready for it. **Product** **Overall Rating** **CRM Built In** **Automation Depth** **Starting Price (This Tier)** [HubSpot Marketing Hub](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/) 4.5/5 Yes Advanced $15/mo (Starter); scales with contacts [MailerLite](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/) (Power) 4.7/5 No Moderate $25/mo [Brevo](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/) (Standard) 4.6/5 No Moderate $18/mo _Note: Starting prices are as of July 2026 and are subject to change._ * * * ### [HubSpot Marketing Hub](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/) HubSpot Marketing Hub is my top recommendation at this tier because it combines email marketing with a built-in CRM — removing the separate-tool decision for organizations that have been managing donor data and email campaigns in disconnected systems. Automation workflows are substantially more advanced than anything in the Starter tier: behavior-triggered sequences, contact segmentation by engagement history, and multi-channel visibility are all manageable without developer support. A PMO Specialist at a nonprofit who uses the platform across multiple departments describes it clearly: _"This is an amazing platform — specifically for marketing, sales, content management. As a project management staff, I work with many departments and use HubSpot for the purposes I listed above."_ That cross-department visibility is one of HubSpot's strongest practical advantages — the Development Director, Marketing Director, and Executive Director can all access campaign data in the same system rather than chasing reports across disconnected tools. A Client Success Manager at a nonprofit names the cost consideration with equal directness: _"Loved it but a bit expensive. Everything was so easy to use from creating email campaigns to social media."_ That balance — higher cost, genuinely high usability — is the trade-off growing nonprofits need to evaluate honestly against their budget. HubSpot's social impact program via HubSpot.org offers eligible nonprofits up to a 40% discount, which changes the value calculation significantly before ruling it out on price alone. **What I like about HubSpot Marketing Hub:** - The built-in CRM consolidates donor data and email campaign activity in one system, eliminating the manual export-import that plagues orgs running two disconnected tools - Behavior-triggered automation workflows are the most advanced in this tier — welcome sequences, donation follow-ups, and lapsed-donor flows can all be built without a developer **What I dislike about HubSpot Marketing Hub:** - Pricing scales steeply with contact list size, and without the HubSpot.org nonprofit discount, the cost-to-value ratio is harder to justify for budget-constrained orgs - The full feature set can feel like more than a small team is ready to use, making onboarding longer than simpler Starter-tier tools #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ### [MailerLite](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/) (Power) For growing nonprofits that want to stay on a familiar platform, MailerLite's Growing Business plan unlocks advanced automation, A/B testing, and additional integrations not available on the free tier. It remains among the most affordable options in this price range and retains the ease-of-use advantage that makes it workable for teams without a dedicated marketing specialist. If your org is already on MailerLite's free plan, the upgrade path is straightforward — no migration, no learning curve reset. **What I like about MailerLite (Power):** - The upgrade from free to Growing Business is seamless — no migration, no learning curve reset, which matters for orgs that can't afford disruption in their communications calendar - A/B testing and advanced automation unlock at this tier without a steep price jump, keeping MailerLite among the most cost-effective options for growing nonprofits **What I dislike about MailerLite (Power):** - No built-in CRM means growing nonprofits still need to manage donor data in a separate system and maintain the integration as the org scales - Reporting depth at this tier doesn't match HubSpot's, which can matter for orgs that need granular campaign attribution across departments #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ### [Brevo](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/) (Standard) Brevo's Business plan adds A/B testing, multi-user account access, and landing pages while keeping SMS and email in a single platform. It's the natural next step for orgs already on Brevo's free tier and a strong pick for organizations that depend on SMS outreach alongside email campaigns. Deliverability at this tier is consistently strong. **What I like about Brevo (Standard):** - Multi-user account access makes it workable for orgs with a dedicated comms team — multiple staff can build and send campaigns without sharing login credentials - Landing pages are included at this tier, adding a useful fundraising tool without requiring a separate page builder or additional cost **What I dislike about Brevo (Standard):** - No built-in CRM at any Brevo tier means growing nonprofits still need a separate donor management system and must maintain the sync between the two platforms - Once the HubSpot.org nonprofit discount is applied, HubSpot's CRM-plus-email bundle becomes competitive on price — making Brevo's value proposition harder to justify for orgs that need deeper donor data integration **My bottom line for growing nonprofits:** HubSpot Marketing Hub is my top pick if your org needs CRM and advanced automation in one system — especially once the nonprofit discount is applied. If you're already on MailerLite or Brevo and the platform is working, the paid upgrade adds the automation depth you need without a migration. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ## Best Email Marketing Software for Large Nonprofits: Enterprise Options I've Found **Enterprise Tier — 10,000+ Contacts · Dedicated Marketing Team · $200+/Month** Large nonprofits have a different buying problem. It's not about finding an affordable tool — it's about finding a platform that scales to tens of thousands of contacts, integrates with existing CRM infrastructure, supports multi-channel campaigns, and maintains deliverability at volume. In my research, mainstream buying guides stop at HubSpot or ActiveCampaign because the platforms large nonprofits actually use don't get covered in typical editorial listicles. That gap ends here. It's also worth noting that CRM's value at this tier is directly tied to channel integration: respondents in Capterra's Sales and Marketing Software Trends research specifically value CRM systems that connect with email, social, and digital ad platforms — making multi-channel capability a baseline expectation, not a premium feature, for enterprise nonprofit operations. **Product** **Overall Rating** **Salesforce CRM Integration** **Multichannel Support** **Best For** [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/248536/Salesforce-Marketing-Cloud/) 4.2/5 Native Email + SMS + social Large orgs on Salesforce CRM [Levitate](https://www.capterra.com/p/211147/Levitate/) 4.8/5 Limited Email + AI-assisted outreach Relationship-first stakeholder communications [HubSpot Marketing Hub](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/) (Enterprise) 4.5/5 Via HubSpot CRM Email + SMS Orgs scaling from HubSpot Pro * * * ### [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/248536/Salesforce-Marketing-Cloud/) Salesforce Marketing Cloud is my top pick for large nonprofits already operating on Salesforce — which many do through the Nonprofit Success Pack. The platform supports advanced audience segmentation, behavior-triggered automation at scale, and multi-channel campaigns across email, social media, and SMS from a single interface. A Content Marketing Manager with direct experience on the platform describes the core advantages: _"The platform's ability to segment audiences and automate marketing workflows is pretty powerful, allowing for precise targeting and engagement across email, social media, and SMS. Its integration with Salesforce CRM also makes it easy to pull insights into customer behavior and preferences."_ A Sales Consultant adds a capability that's increasingly relevant for large nonprofit communications teams: _"With Salesforce Marketing Cloud, I am able to create and customize AI-powered campaigns."_ For large nonprofits managing major gift pipelines, lapsed-donor sequences, and multi-event calendars simultaneously, AI-powered personalization at scale is a material advantage over simpler platforms. Salesforce Marketing Cloud is also increasingly evaluated as an alternative to Blackbaud's legacy email capabilities for organizations already migrating their fundraising data to the Salesforce ecosystem. **What I like about Salesforce Marketing Cloud:** - Native Salesforce CRM integration means donor records, campaign history, and engagement data all live in the same system — no sync issues, no data gaps between platforms - Multi-channel campaign management across email, SMS, and social from a single interface eliminates the tool sprawl that plagues large nonprofit comms teams **What I dislike about Salesforce Marketing Cloud:** - Implementation is complex and typically requires IT involvement and a longer onboarding period than mid-tier platforms — this is not a tool you can set up in a day - Custom pricing with significant variation by contract means early-stage budget planning is difficult; the entry-level number rarely reflects what a fully configured deployment costs #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ### [Levitate](https://www.capterra.com/p/211147/Levitate/) Levitate is built around relationship-first outreach rather than mass broadcast campaigns. For nonprofits whose primary communications goal is maintaining personal contact with major donors, board members, and long-term supporters — rather than high-volume acquisition sends — Levitate's model fits more naturally than a broadcast-first platform. An Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at a nonprofit captures the practical value: _"I like that Levitate gives us a way to connect with our stakeholders that also allows us to track what messaging is working and what messaging we need to work on."_ An Administrative Assistant at a nonprofit organization adds: _"Fluid design of platform and outreach allows us to maintain our inventory of supporters and reach out personally and respectfully."_ The phrase "inventory of supporters" reflects how large nonprofit operations teams actually think about major donor management, and Levitate is one of the few platforms designed around that model. **What I like about Levitate:** - The platform tracks which messages resonate with individual stakeholders — giving nonprofits visibility into relationship health that standard email open-rate analytics simply don't provide - Outreach feels personal even at scale, which matters for orgs whose major donor and board relationships depend on tone and timing, not just volume **What I dislike about Levitate:** - Not built for high-volume acquisition campaigns — orgs that need to reach tens of thousands of new contacts simultaneously will find its relationship-focused model limiting for that use case - No published pricing makes it harder to evaluate against budget early in the process #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty ### [HubSpot Marketing Hub](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/) (Enterprise) HubSpot Marketing Hub's enterprise tier scales to 10,000+ contacts with custom reporting, multi-team access controls, and automation capabilities well beyond the Starter and Pro tiers. For organizations already deep in the HubSpot ecosystem, scaling up avoids a full platform migration. The cost increases significantly at this level. Large orgs should [compare HubSpot and Salesforce Marketing Cloud on Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/compare/171840-248536/HubSpot-Marketing-vs-Salesforce-Marketing-Cloud) before committing. **What I like about HubSpot Marketing Hub (Enterprise):** - Multi-team access controls and custom reporting make it practical for large nonprofits with separate development, marketing, and communications departments operating in the same system - Scaling within the HubSpot ecosystem avoids the cost and disruption of a full platform migration — for orgs already on HubSpot Pro, the enterprise upgrade path is predictable **What I dislike about HubSpot Marketing Hub (Enterprise):** - Enterprise-tier pricing is significant even before contact list size is factored in — without a negotiated nonprofit arrangement, the cost-to-value calculation requires careful justification - The breadth of enterprise features can create adoption friction, particularly for staff accustomed to simpler mid-tier tools; onboarding investment is real at this level **My bottom line for large nonprofits:** Salesforce Marketing Cloud is the default pick for orgs already in the Salesforce ecosystem. Levitate is the stronger choice when relationship quality matters more than campaign volume. HubSpot Enterprise works best for organizations that have built operations around HubSpot and want to scale without switching platforms. #### Trial/Free Version - Free Trial - Free Version #### Device Compatibilty **Related:** Large nonprofits evaluating platforms that go beyond email should explore [marketing automation software](https://www.capterra.com/marketing-automation-software/) options on Capterra, which covers multi-channel platforms with deeper CRM and workflow capabilities. ## How to Claim Your Nonprofit Discount Most platforms that offer nonprofit discounts don't advertise them on the main pricing page. The nonprofit or social impact page is where the actual discount application lives — usually buried two or three clicks from the homepage. **Worth knowing before you apply:** Most platforms that offer nonprofit pricing don't promote it prominently. Always go directly to the platform's social impact or nonprofit page — not the standard pricing page — to see what you qualify for. **Step 1:** Confirm your organization's nonprofit status. Have your 501(c)(3) determination letter (or international equivalent) ready before starting an application. **Step 2:** Go directly to the platform's social impact or nonprofit page — not the standard pricing page. Most discount programs are not linked from the main navigation. **Step 3:** Submit your application with proof of nonprofit registration. Most platforms review and respond within two to five business days. Platform notes: - [**Mailchimp**](https://www.capterra.com/p/110228/MailChimp/)**:** No formal nonprofit discount program as of 2026 — nonprofits use the same plans as commercial customers. Verify this at publication. - [**Brevo**](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/)**:** Offers a social impact program — check brevo.com/social-impact for current eligibility and discount levels. - [**MailerLite**](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/)**:** Has a verified nonprofit discount — check their nonprofit page for the current percentage. - [**HubSpot Marketing Hub**](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/)**:** HubSpot.org offers up to a 40% discount for eligible nonprofits — verify eligibility criteria directly. - [**Salesforce Marketing Cloud**](https://www.capterra.com/p/248536/Salesforce-Marketing-Cloud/) **/** [**Levitate**](https://www.capterra.com/p/211147/Levitate/)**:** No published discount programs — negotiate directly with vendor sales and disclose nonprofit status at the outset. Unadvertised accommodations are more common than most buyers expect. ## Find the Right Email Marketing Software for Your Nonprofit The most common mistake I see nonprofits make isn't choosing the wrong platform — it's choosing a platform matched to their current org size but not the size they'll be in 12 months. Start with the tier that fits today, but look for a platform whose upgrade path is clear and affordable before you commit. * * * **Ready to compare? Browse verified user reviews, pricing details, and feature comparisons on Capterra's** [**email marketing software**](https://www.capterra.com/email-marketing-software/) **page to find the right fit for your organization's size, budget, and communications goals.** * * * ## Frequently Asked Questions What is the best free email marketing software for nonprofits? [MailerLite](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/) and [Brevo](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/) are the two strongest free options. MailerLite supports up to 1,000 contacts and 12,000 emails per month with no daily cap; Brevo allows unlimited contacts with up to 300 emails per day. Mailchimp's free tier is widely used but capped at 500 contacts. Does Mailchimp offer a nonprofit discount? As of 2026, [Mailchimp](https://www.capterra.com/p/110228/MailChimp/) does not have a formal nonprofit discount program — nonprofits access the same plans as commercial customers. The free plan covers up to 500 contacts. Verify this at time of purchase, as program availability can change. What email marketing platform do most nonprofits use? Mailchimp is most common among smaller nonprofits due to brand familiarity and the free tier. HubSpot is widely used among growing organizations that need CRM integration. Large nonprofits disproportionately use Salesforce Marketing Cloud. How do nonprofits use email marketing to raise donations? The three most effective use cases are year-end fundraising appeals, event invitations and post-event follow-ups, and lapsed-donor re-engagement sequences. Behavior-triggered automation consistently outperforms one-time batch sends in both open rates and conversion outcomes. Can small nonprofits afford email marketing software? Yes. [MailerLite](https://www.capterra.com/p/136603/MailerLite/) and [Brevo](https://www.capterra.com/p/132996/brevo/) both offer free plans suitable for organizations under 1,000 contacts. Verified nonprofit discount programs across multiple platforms can reduce paid plan costs by 30–50% for organizations that apply. What features should nonprofits look for in email marketing software? The six most important criteria are ease of use, nonprofit pricing programs, contact list scalability, CRM integration, automation depth, and deliverability infrastructure. See the "What Nonprofits Should Look for" section above for detail on each. How do I claim a nonprofit discount on email marketing software? Confirm your 501(c)(3) status, then go directly to the platform's social impact or nonprofit page — not the standard pricing page. Submit your application with proof of registration; most platforms respond within two to five business days. Is HubSpot good for nonprofits? Yes — particularly for growing nonprofits with contact lists between 1,000 and 10,000 that need built-in CRM and advanced automation. HubSpot.org offers up to a 50% discount for eligible nonprofits, which significantly improves the cost-to-value equation. See [HubSpot Marketing Hub on Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/p/171840/HubSpot-Marketing/) for verified user reviews. What is the difference between a donor CRM and an email marketing platform — do I need both? A donor CRM (Bloomerang, Neon One, Salesforce Nonprofit) manages relationship data, giving history, and pledges. An email platform manages campaign delivery and automation. Small orgs can often start with email alone; growing and large orgs typically need both integrated, or a platform like HubSpot that handles both natively. Browse [nonprofit CRM software](https://www.capterra.com/nonprofit-crm-software/) on Capterra to evaluate CRM options alongside email tools. What email marketing software works best for large nonprofits? [Salesforce Marketing Cloud](https://www.capterra.com/p/248536/Salesforce-Marketing-Cloud/) is the strongest option for large nonprofits already on Salesforce CRM, with multi-channel campaigns and advanced segmentation. [Levitate](https://www.capterra.com/p/211147/Levitate/) is the stronger alternative when relationship management matters more than broadcast volume. How often should nonprofits send marketing emails? Two to four emails per month is a reasonable baseline for general donor communications, with higher frequency around major fundraising moments. Watch engagement data closely — declining open or click rates signal list fatigue before it compounds. ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Andrew Blair](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/andrew-blair/) Andrew Blair is a content analyst at Capterra, covering marketing, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies across industries. His research and data insights for small and midsize businesses have been featured in SBS Media, IT Brief Australia, and Technology Decisions media publications. ### RELATED READING - [I Analyzed AI Sales Assistant Tools Using Capterra Reviews: Here Are the 7 Best](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-sales-assistant-tools/) - [Marketing ROI: Prioritizing Your Next Sales and Marketing CRM Investment](https://www.capterra.com/resources/marketing-roi-strategies/) - [How Integrating Email Automation With CRM Systems Boosts Customer Engagement](https://www.capterra.com/resources/integrating-email-automation-with-crm-systems/) - [How to Develop an Omnichannel Marketing Strategy for Customer Engagement](https://www.capterra.com/resources/crm-omnichannel-marketing-strategy/) - [CRM cloud vs. on-premise: Which is better for your business?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/crm-cloud-vs-on-premise/) - [CRM Data Management Explained: From Clean Data to Customer Insights](https://www.capterra.com/resources/crm-data-management/) - [Capterra Sales and Marketing Trends 2026: CRM and AI Adoption Requires Strategic Implementation and Integration](https://www.capterra.com/resources/sales-and-marketing-software-trends/) - [Email Marketing Trends: What SMBs Need To Know To Boost Campaign Performance](https://www.capterra.com/resources/email-marketing-trends/) - [Exploring Different Types of Video Content and Their Benefits](https://www.capterra.com/resources/types-of-video-content/) \*Capterra's Sales and Marketing Software Trends survey was conducted in July 2025 among 2,452 respondents in Australia (n=231), Brazil (n=224), Canada (n=223), France (n=236), Germany (n=217), India (n=192), Italy (n=219), Mexico (n=229), Spain (n=216), the U.K. (n=238), and the U.S. (n=227). The goal of the study was to understand the sales and marketing software that companies are buying, their benefits and challenges, and the impact of AI on these departments. Respondents were screened for employment at companies with more than one employee, working in management-level roles overseeing sales or marketing operations. Respondents were also confirmed to be at least partially responsible for sales/marketing software purchase decisions within their organization. \*\*Review excerpts selection: Review excerpts are passages extracted from longer reviews written by verified reviewers. We obtain these excerpts by applying an algorithm that considers factors including, but not limited to, length, sentiment, topic coverage, and thematic relevance. Excerpts represent user opinion and do not represent the views of, nor constitute, an endorsement by Software Advice or its affiliates. Excerpts are not edited for clarity or grammar.