Newsletters in the Modern Era

The necessities of newsletters today for charity are that they provide constant communication, consistent release of timely information, and continual thanks for service and gifts no matter the form of gift.  

The stories could be as simple of a picture with a short paragraph by-line under it or full fledged articles broken up by thumbnail pictures and pull quotes. 

If I were going to design a monthly philanthropic newsletter for a charity, I think it would have the following stories:

·         Lead with a donor profile and why they gave to your organization.

·         Have a composite or real beneficiary story of someone who benefited from your program.

·         Profile of a volunteer who is helping your program.

·         Staff profile giving some up-to-the-minute information on your cause or field of service as an expert.

·         Featured program and how giving helps to advance the program.

·         News about key donations and donated dollars at work.

·         Review of key events or sponsored outreach programs.

·         Calendar of events that donors might participate.

·         Listing of new donors.

·         Philanthropic officer describing a way of giving.

·         The CEO having an article or a picture where mission is in action.

·         Pictures showing how your celebrating the activity of your mission.

In this day and age, newsletters can be traditional printed and designed format, or electronic working on all platforms like e-newsletters, blogs, websites, twitter links, etc. 

In all newsletters they have to be visually pleasing and picture laden. In the electronic environment, your newsletter could be broken up to appear weekly with a differing parts of the list above happening throughout the month.

All stories need to focus on the mission you are about and the impact you are making to your service area or people.