Monthly Newsletters: How to Connect With Your Community

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Is your faith-based organization looking for a better way to connect with parishioners and donors? Maybe you’d like a regular way to update people about your mission and its current causes. A monthly newsletter could be a great solution. Connecting with your community is simple with a newsletter. Whether it’s through email, online, or in print, you’re able to share as much information as you’d like to reach people in a personal and straightforward way. A few of the monthly newsletter ideas discussed below include:

  • Telling your organization’s story, from founding to the present day.
  • Sharing fundraising campaign information.
  • Providing fundraising updates and information to donate.
  • Creating a calendar of community events.
  • Spotlighting stories on volunteers and other community members.
  • Sharing event invitations and a recap of how they went.

Newsletter 101

If your faith-based organization wants to start sending out a newsletter, you will need some creative ideas on what to share. Not only can newsletters give vital information to parishioners and donors, but they can also provide QR codes that people can scan to donate. Utilizing this simple way to collect donations can make a big difference for your church, mosque, or temple, helping you gain a more significant amount of donations. When people have the freedom to give when they want and are inspired by the stories in your newsletter, you can raise more funds. Integrating an online giving platform like CheqrPay makes it easy to raise funds by sharing a QR code donors can scan to give. Without even creating an account, they will be able to give in just minutes. Donors can even set up recurring donations if they’d like. Placing this QR code in your newsletter, next to stories about current missions or fundraising campaigns, will ensure success on your latest fundraising needs. Continue reading for additional monthly newsletter ideas you can implement.

Your Organization's Story

One of the best monthly newsletter ideas, no matter what kind of organization you run, is to include your organization’s story. You can start your newsletter series with a story about how your group was founded, its mission statement, and more about what you do and why. Then, in the following months, you can share other stories about your organization or just a short version of your story if any newcomers pick up your newsletter and are curious about your mission.

Campaign Information

Are you running a specific fundraising campaign for your faith-based organization? Consider announcing the campaign in your monthly newsletter and providing a QR code that people can quickly scan to give. By utilizing your monthly newsletter as another easy way to fundraise, your campaigns will be that much more successful.

Fundraising Updates

Another easy element to include in your monthly newsletter is a fundraising update. Many faith-based organizations have various campaigns happening simultaneously. Let parishioners know how they’re going and how much money you’ve raised so far in the newsletter. This will encourage additional giving, as donors will be motivated to give to your specific causes. In addition, placing the QR code for easy access will allow people to give when they’re inspired, meaning they’ll be more motivated to open their pockets. Even if you are a small group trying to fundraise, there are many ways to raise the funds you need. Consider a bake sale, silent auction, trivia night, or golf tournament!

Community Events

One excellent monthly newsletter idea is to include community events that are happening, whether they’re at your church or organization or elsewhere in the community. People love to know what’s going on, especially when it comes to fun community events they can attend. Placing an updated schedule in your newsletter will spread the word about your events, and people will be more likely to come.

Volunteer Spotlights

Creating volunteer spotlights is a fun idea for your monthly newsletter. Sharing more about the people behind the mission will give people a better understanding of your faith-based organization and what it takes to run it. Volunteer spotlights can include a volunteer photo, a short story about them, some fast facts, and why they love the community.

Event Invitations and Recaps

Your monthly newsletter is the perfect place to invite community members to events happening at your organization. Whatever creative fundraising ideas you’ve come up with, let people know in the newsletter! Most members will read their newsletter either through email or in their paper copy, meaning you can spread the word easily about any events happening. Provide all the necessary information in the newsletter, such as:

  • Date
  • Time
  • Location
  • Cause
  • Theme
  • Dress attire
  • Link to RSVP

Once the event is over, publish a recap in your monthly newsletter with photos and a write-up. It’s a great idea to share how much money was raised and provide a QR code for anyone who couldn’t attend the event to donate.

Connecting With Your Community Through Newsletters

So, what is a newsletter? What are the best creative monthly newsletter ideas? This article explained a handful of them to give you a place to start. Whether you are a church, nonprofit, or other faith-based organization, creating a monthly newsletter to connect with your community is an excellent idea. Not only will you be able to share about your organization’s mission and current events, but you can also raise funds organically by providing a QR code for donors to scan and give quickly. Start implementing a newsletter this month, either through email or in print form. Your parishioners and donors will love the regular update on your organization and the opportunities to support your mission. There’s no better way to do this than by sending out a newsletter with valuable information each month.