Marcus Chen
Marcus Chen Senior Content Strategist at 4OVER4.COM
Question

Is direct mail still worth the cost for small nonprofits?

Answer

Yes, especially once you separate the cost of finding new donors from the cost of mailing people who already give. The economics improve dramatically after the first gift.

Mailing typeTypical cost per dollar raised
Acquisition (new donors)$1.00 to $1.50 initially
House list (existing donors)$0.15 to $0.25
  • Long-term value: repeat gifts from acquired donors offset the upfront acquisition cost.
  • Keep costs low: printing postcards and self-mailers in bulk lowers the per-piece price.

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