Mailchimp or Constant Contact for Nonprofits: Which Email Marketing Tool Is Best for Your Cause?
Angie
oversees Cazoomi's operations. She enjoys traveling, loves dogs, is a 1% Pledge supporter, and a start-up entrepreneur with investments in several APAC startups.
16 minute read
Email Marketing for Nonprofits 101: Mailchimp or Constant Contact
93% of nonprofits worldwide use email marketing. That comes as no surprise since email is the best channel in terms of ROI. We’ll dig into that below.
What’s surprising is that 7% of them still send their emails via BCC. There are better options — Mailchimp or Constant Contact is ideal for nonprofits that want to keep their costs down. They don’t just provide better deliverability, they also help with automation.
Not sure if Mailchimp or Constant Contact is the right choice for your nonprofit? You have come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll dive deep into the pros and cons of both Mailchimp and Constant Contact from a nonprofit perspective, highlighting the features most relevant to your organization’s goals. We’ll also analyze user reviews from G2.com and discuss how integrating both platforms with Salesforce or NetSuite using SyncApps can streamline your nonprofit’s email marketing efforts.
First, a quick primer:
Why Email Marketing Is Essential for Nonprofits
Before we dive into the comparison, it’s worth noting why email marketing is so crucial for nonprofits in the first place.
Cost-effective communication: Unlike paid advertising or traditional mail campaigns, email marketing allows nonprofits to communicate with thousands of supporters at little to no cost.
Best ROI of all marketing platforms: email has a 3500% ROI, with every dollar spent bringing in an average of $44.
Targeted messaging: email allows nonprofits to segment their audiences based on donor status, volunteer involvement, event attendance, and other key factors, making it easy to tailor messages to the right people. Both Mailchimp and Constant Contact have features that will help you with targeting.
Builds relationships: email helps foster long-term relationships with supporters through regular communication, donor acknowledgment, and personalized appeals. An effective email strategy can significantly improve donor retention, an area where many nonprofits struggle.
Easy to track results: with email marketing, nonprofits can easily track key metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and donation conversions, allowing them to assess what’s working and make adjustments accordingly.
Now that we’ve established the importance of email marketing, let’s compare Mailchimp and Constant Contact to see which platform might be a better fit for your nonprofit.
Mailchimp or Constant Contact for Nonprofits: Everything You Need to Know About the Top Marketing Automation Platforms
We’ve written about Mailchimp and Constant Contact before but this time we’re looking at them through a nonprofit lens.
At SyncApps, we help hundreds of nonprofits like UNICEF and others integrate Mailchimp or Constant Contact with Salesforce or NetSuite, so we know quite a lot about the way they use these platforms.
Mailchimp for Nonprofits: Features, Pros, and Cons
Main Features Tailored for Nonprofits
Free plan: one of the biggest draws of Mailchimp for nonprofits is its free plan, which includes up to 500 contacts and 1,000 email sends per month. While this might seem limited for large organizations, it’s more than enough for smaller nonprofits or those just beginning to build an email list. The free plan also includes basic audience segmentation, A/B testing, and automated email follow-ups.
Advanced segmentation capabilities: Mailchimp’s audience segmentation tools are robust, allowing nonprofits to categorize supporters based on a variety of factors, such as donation frequency, event attendance, volunteer hours, and more. This is especially important for nonprofits that deal with multiple audiences and need to tailor their communications accordingly.
Email templates for nonprofit campaigns: Mailchimp offers a selection of email templates designed specifically for nonprofit organizations. These templates make it easy to create emails for fundraising campaigns, event invitations, volunteer recruitment, and donor thank-yous. Templates are customizable, so you can easily match them to their brand and messaging.
Marketing automation: for nonprofits with limited staff, Mailchimp’s automation features can be a lifesaver. The platform allows you to set up automated email sequences triggered by specific actions, such as a welcome email for new subscribers or a follow-up email after a donation. Automation can also help keep donors engaged with regular updates and reminders, boosting long-term retention.
Multichannel campaigns: Mailchimp also lets nonprofits integrate email with other marketing channels like social media and landing pages. This is helpful for organizations running large campaigns across different platforms, as you can manage all your communications from a single interface.
Want more integrations for your Mailchimp account? Start integrating Mailchimp with NPSP, NetSuite, and others.
Free plan: ideal for small nonprofits with limited resources. The free plan includes a wide range of tools, making it easy to start email marketing without upfront costs.
User-friendly interface: Mailchimp’s drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, even for beginners. Many nonprofits appreciate how easy it is to create and send professional-looking emails without any coding skills.
Comprehensive audience insights: nonprofits can view detailed analytics on how their emails are performing, including engagement metrics, donation conversions, and more.
Built-in CRM: Mailchimp includes a built-in customer relationship management (CRM) system that can be helpful for small nonprofits needing basic donor management features.
Cons of Mailchimp for Nonprofits
Limited free plan: nonprofits with larger contact lists may find it restrictive. For example, once your list grows beyond 500 contacts, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan, which starts at $13/month for 500 contacts.
Complex automation setup: while Mailchimp’s automation features are powerful, they can be difficult to set up for nonprofits that aren’t familiar with the platform. Organizations that need advanced automation may need to invest additional time or hire someone to handle it.
Pricing increases with list size: Mailchimp’s pricing is based on the number of contacts in your list, so the cost can increase significantly as your nonprofit grows. This may make it less affordable for organizations with large subscriber bases.
Founded in 1998, Constant Contact is the oldest ESP around. Despite its age, the platform has cutting-edge automation features and it’s a nonprofit favorite. Let’s check it out.
Main Features Tailored for Nonprofits
Nonprofit discounts: Constant Contact offers a 30% discount for nonprofits that sign up for a 12-month subscription. This can be a significant cost-saver for organizations looking for a long-term email marketing solution.
Event management features: one of Constant Contact’s standout features for nonprofits is its event management tools. Nonprofits can use the platform to create and promote events, manage RSVPs, sell tickets, and even send automatic reminders. This is particularly valuable for organizations that run regular events, such as galas, volunteer sign-ups, or community outreach programs.
List-building tools: Constant Contact provides several tools specifically designed to help nonprofits grow their email lists. These include customizable sign-up forms, landing pages, and social media integrations. For nonprofits focused on expanding their donor base or recruiting volunteers, these tools can make a big difference.
Email templates for nonprofits: Constant Contact offers a wide selection of pre-designed email templates specifically for nonprofits. These templates cover everything from donation appeals to volunteer recruitment to event invitations. Nonprofits can easily customize these templates with their logos, images, and messaging.
Surveys and polls: another feature that can benefit nonprofits is the ability to create surveys and polls. Nonprofits often need feedback from their communities to improve programs, and Constant Contact’s survey tool makes it easy to gather input.
Pros
Excellent customer support: Constant Contact is known for its excellent customer service, including phone, chat, and email support. This can be invaluable for nonprofits that don’t have dedicated IT staff or email marketing experts.
Ease of use: Constant Contact’s user interface is straightforward and beginner-friendly, making it accessible to nonprofits with limited resources or tech expertise.
Event management: The event management features set Constant Contact apart from Mailchimp, especially for nonprofits that frequently host events.
Nonprofit discounts: The nonprofit discount makes Constant Contact a more affordable option for organizations committed to long-term email marketing.
Cons
Higher starting price: Constant Contact’s basic plans start at $12/month, which is slightly more expensive than Mailchimp’s free plan. However, when you factor in the nonprofit discount, the pricing becomes more competitive, especially for nonprofits with growing lists.
Limited automation: compared to Mailchimp, Constant Contact’s automation features are more basic. Nonprofits that need advanced marketing automation, such as multi-step email sequences or behavior-triggered emails, may find this limiting.
Fewer third-party integrations: While Constant Contact integrates with popular platforms like Facebook and Eventbrite, it offers fewer third-party integrations compared to Mailchimp.
Love Constant Contact but you’re worried it doesn’t integrate natively with the platforms you use? We’ve got you covered! On SyncApps, you can integrate Constant Contact with Salesforce, NetSuite, and many others.
Most of the SyncApps clients use either Mailchimp or Constant Contact for their nonprofits, so we have a pretty good idea about what they like and dislike about each platform.
We coupled our data with user reviews from platforms like G2.com to bring you a comprehensive view of Mailchimp and Constant Contact through the eyes of real customers.
Mailchimp User Reviews
Ease of use: many nonprofits on G2, as well as SyncApps clients, praise Mailchimp for its intuitive interface, particularly the drag-and-drop email builder. Users say it’s easy to create professional-looking emails, even with minimal design experience.
Free plan benefits: nonprofits love the free plan, especially those with smaller email lists. However, some users mention that costs rise quickly as their list grows beyond the free limit.
Automation challenges: while Mailchimp’s automation features are robust, some users find them difficult to set up and customize. Nonprofits that are new to marketing automation may need time to learn the system or might require additional support.
Segmentation and analytics: Nonprofits appreciate the advanced segmentation features, allowing them to target specific audiences like donors, volunteers, and event attendees. However, a few reviewers mention that the analytics could be more user-friendly and intuitive, especially for users who are not data-savvy.
Customer support: Mailchimp’s support receives mixed reviews. While some users praise the platform’s extensive online resources, others mention that reaching human support can be a challenge, particularly on the free plan.
Constant Contact User Reviews
Ease of use and customer support: Constant Contact consistently receives high marks for its user-friendly interface and exceptional customer support. Nonprofit users mention that it’s easy to set up campaigns, even for beginners, and appreciate the availability of phone and chat support.
Event management: many nonprofits on G2 highlight the value of Constant Contact’s event management tools. Users find it especially useful for managing RSVPs, selling tickets, and automating event-related emails. This feature is a key differentiator for nonprofits that regularly host fundraising events or community gatherings.
Nonprofit discounts: several users note the importance of Constant Contact’s nonprofit discount. For organizations looking for long-term email marketing solutions, the discounted pricing makes it more affordable.
Limited automation: similar to Mailchimp, some nonprofits express frustration with Constant Contact’s limited automation features. While the platform is ideal for basic email campaigns, more advanced workflows like multi-step campaigns are harder to set up.
Integration options: a few users mention that while Constant Contact integrates well with certain platforms, like Eventbrite and Facebook, its range of third-party integrations is more limited compared to competitors like Mailchimp. Nonprofits with complex marketing stacks may need to invest in additional integrations to expand functionality.
Need to get more out of Mailchimp or Constant Contact? Start integrating them with Salesforce or NetSuite — it’s completely free for 28 days and then you enjoy lifetime discounts for nonprofits.
Mailchimp or Constant Contact? A Detailed Comparison for Nonprofits
Pricing and Nonprofit Discounts — Mailchimp and Constant Contact
With most nonprofits operating at a loss, pricing is a crucial element because it helps reduce overhead and keep your organization afloat.
Mailchimp offers a free plan that includes up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly email sends. Once nonprofits exceed this limit, pricing starts at $13/month for 500 contacts, with costs rising as your contact list grows. While the free plan is an excellent starting point for small nonprofits, organizations with larger lists or more complex needs will need to upgrade to a paid plan.
Constant Contact, on the other hand, does not offer a free plan, but it provides a 30% discount for nonprofits that commit to a 12-month subscription. The platform’s starting price is $12/month, but this rate is significantly reduced with the nonprofit discount. For nonprofits planning to use the platform long-term, this makes Constant Contact a more affordable option in the long run.
Which to choose: if your nonprofit has a small contact list or is just starting with email marketing, Mailchimp’s free plan is an attractive option. However, for organizations committed to long-term email campaigns, Constant Contact’s discounted pricing may offer better value, especially for those needing event management tools.
Automation and Workflow Capabilities
Both platforms offer marketing automation features, but there are key differences in their complexity and ease of use.
Mailchimp offers more advanced automation tools, such as the ability to create behavior-triggered email sequences, welcome email series, and donor-nurturing workflows. However, these features can be more difficult to set up, particularly for nonprofits without dedicated marketing staff.
Constant Contact provides more basic automation, such as automated welcome emails and thank-you emails after donations. While the platform’s automation features are easier to use, they lack the sophistication of Mailchimp’s multi-step workflows.
Which to choose: if your nonprofit is looking for basic automation (like sending thank-you emails after donations or a welcome email to new subscribers), Constant Contact’s simple automation tools may suffice. For organizations that need more complex workflows, Mailchimp’s advanced automation is a better option, albeit with a steeper learning curve.
Event Management
One of the standout features of Constant Contact is its event management tools. If you regularly host events like galas, volunteer days, or community outreach programs, Constant Contact makes it easy to manage RSVPs, sell tickets, and send event-related emails.
Mailchimp does not have built-in event management features, so nonprofits will need to rely on third-party integrations or other tools to manage events.
Which to Choose: if your nonprofit frequently hosts events, Constant Contact’s event management tools are a clear advantage. For organizations that don’t run many events or are content using external tools for event management, Mailchimp’s email features is more than sufficient.
Segmentation and List Management
Both Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer robust list management and segmentation features, but Mailchimp stands out for its more advanced capabilities.
Mailchimp allows nonprofits to segment their lists based on a variety of criteria, such as donation frequency, volunteer hours, and event attendance. The platform also offers predictive audience segmentation, which can help organizations identify which supporters are most likely to donate or volunteer. This makes it easier for nonprofits to target their communications effectively.
Constant Contact also offers segmentation, but its features are more basic compared to Mailchimp. While nonprofits can still segment their lists, the options are more limited, making it harder to create highly targeted campaigns.
Which to Choose: if audience segmentation is a key priority for your nonprofit, Mailchimp’s advanced segmentation tools provide more flexibility. However, if your nonprofit’s segmentation needs are relatively simple, Constant Contact’s tools will likely suffice.
SyncApps: Integrating Mailchimp and Constant Contact with Salesforce and NetSuite
No matter which platform you choose, integrating your email marketing software with a customer relationship management (CRM) system like Salesforce or NetSuite can streamline your nonprofit’s operations.
This is where we come in!
SyncApps allows nonprofits to integrate Mailchimp or Constant Contact with Salesforce and NetSuite, ensuring that all your donor data is in sync. This can save your nonprofit time and prevent data silos, ensuring that your email lists are always up to date with your latest donor and volunteer information.
Did you know that SyncApps is the preferred integration platform for nonprofits? We’re very proud of this status!
Wanna know how we got here?
Here’s what our nonprofit users cite most often as the reason why they stay with us:
Automated data sync, bidirectional and in real time: SyncApps automatically syncs your contact lists, donor profiles, and engagement metrics between Mailchimp or Constant Contact and Salesforce/NPSP/NPC or NetSuite. This ensures that your CRM always reflects the most current data, making it easier to track donor engagement and outreach efforts.
Seamless campaign tracking: with SyncApps, you can track the performance of your email campaigns directly within Salesforce or NetSuite. This makes it easy to see how your email marketing efforts are contributing to donor retention, event attendance, and overall fundraising success.
Improved donor insights: syncing Mailchimp or Constant Contact with Salesforce or NetSuite gives nonprofits a 360-degree view of their supporters. By consolidating email engagement data with CRM records, you can gain deeper insights into donor behavior, helping you tailor future campaigns and fundraising efforts.
Ready to integrate your email marketing with Salesforce or NetSuite? Sign up for SyncApps and streamline your nonprofit’s operations!
Conclusion: Mailchimp or Constant Contact — Which Platform is Best for Your Nonprofit?
Both Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer valuable features for nonprofits, but the best choice for your organization will depend on your specific needs.
Choose Mailchimp if your nonprofit needs a robust free plan, advanced automation, and sophisticated audience segmentation tools. Mailchimp is ideal for organizations with limited budgets but who want powerful features for donor segmentation and multichannel marketing.
Choose Constant Contact if your nonprofit frequently hosts events or needs top-notch customer support. Constant Contact’s nonprofit discount, easy-to-use interface, and event management tools make it a great choice for nonprofits focused on community engagement and event-driven fundraising.
Ready to take your nonprofit’s email marketing to the next level? Sign up for SyncApps today and start integrating Mailchimp or Constant Contact with Salesforce or NetSuite!
