Nonprofits rely heavily on donations and volunteers to fulfill their missions. While email and social media are growing in importance, print motivates donors and volunteers in a way that other channels don’t. Let’s take a look at the many types of printed materials that can move your mission forward and help you make an even greater impact in the world.

Postcards: Postcards are a great way to keep donors and volunteers informed about upcoming events, fundraising campaigns, and other important updates. They are also an excellent tool for expressing gratitude and recognizing the contributions of supporters. Even better, personalize them! Thank donors for recent gifts and update them on how their donations are being used.

Letters: While email may be a fast and convenient way to communicate, a well-crafted letter feels more personal and taps more deeply into people’s emotions. Use letters to convey a sense of gratitude, urgency, or excitement that is difficult to replicate through digital channels. Share stories of impact, ask for donations or volunteer support, or recognize the contributions of individual supporters.

Calendars: Calendars can help to keep supporters engaged throughout the year. Feature images and stories of your work, as well as key dates and events. Distribute calendars to donors and volunteers as a way to say thank you or as an incentive for making a donation or signing up to volunteer. Calendars can be sold as fundraising products, too.

Brochures: Brochures can be used to introduce you to new audiences, provide more detailed information about your programs, and promote your mission at campaigns or events. Use well-designed, colourful pieces to highlight your achievements and demonstrate the impact of your programs. Not every nonprofit uses brochures in this way, so this is a great way to build credibility, differentiation, and trust.

Catalogs: Nonprofits that sell products as part of their fundraising strategies can use catalogs to showcase their offerings and raise money for their mission. Use the larger pages offered by print catalogs as a canvas to tell the stories behind your products, highlight the artisans or communities that produce them, and demonstrate the impact that each purchase can have.

It’s easy to see why print remains a valuable tool for nonprofits. The emotional impact of a beautifully printed piece, held in your hands, can’t be replicated in other channels. So use the many tools of print to communicate your mission, impact, and needs to supporters in a deeply personal way that helps you build stronger relationships and inspire positive change.