

Cyber Monday and Black Friday tend to get all the spotlight during Cyber Week, but there’s another special day that deserves some attention during all the holiday hustle and bustle: Giving Tuesday.
How can your Giving Tuesday message stand out in an inbox flooded with deals, promotions, and holiday sales? The answer lies in the first thing your audience sees: the email subject line. A compelling subject line makes the difference between an opened or overlooked email.
Get it right, and you can earn valuable donations for your nonprofit. Get it wrong, and your campaign doesn’t stand a chance. Fortunately, we’re here to help give you all the tips, templates, examples, and best practices you need to succeed.
Below, we’ll dive into the art and science of crafting the perfect Giving Tuesday email subject line. Whether a seasoned email marketer or a nonprofit team venturing into the digital realm for the first time, here’s what you need to know.
What is Giving Tuesday?
Giving Tuesday is a relatively new movement (born in 2012) in response to the commercialism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It’s a global reminder and call to action, urging individuals, communities, and organizations worldwide to come together for the collective good.
Millions of people donate on this day, helping make Q4 the most influential fundraising period for all nonprofits.
Email has emerged as a pivotal tool in amplifying the message of giving. Amid the bombardment of commercials, social media ads, and influencer campaigns, email is the one channel your donors choose. It’s a trusted place to connect with your supporters, update them on initiatives, and invite them to contribute to something bigger.
Through well-crafted emails, organizations can share success stories, highlight the tangible impact of donations, and inspire action. Your Giving Tuesday email subject line is the gateway to your reader’s time and attention.
Giving Tuesday subject line best practices
On Giving Tuesday (when inboxes overfill with messages), a captivating subject line can set your email apart, giving it the engagement it deserves.
However, creating a compelling subject line is easier said than done, especially when retail companies throw “Buy One, Get One” sales and “99% Off” discounts in your audience’s face. You’ll need to follow a few subject line best practices to give your campaign a chance to compete:
- Keep it concise: Aim for clarity and brevity since many email clients truncate subject lines after 50-60 characters.
- Evoke emotion: Use powerful and emotive words that resonate with the spirit of giving and generosity. Words like “help,” “support,” “change,” and “impact” can be effective.
- Personalize: Use personalized subject lines, including the recipient’s name or referencing a past donation. “John, help us make a difference again this Giving Tuesday!” is more engaging than a generic call to action.
- Use urgency: Create a sense of urgency with phrases like “Today Only,” “Your Exclusive Invitation,” or “Last Chance.”
- Ask a question: Pique curiosity and engagement by posing a question. For example: “Ready to change a life this Giving Tuesday?”
- Highlight impact: Let recipients know exactly how their contribution will make a difference. “Turn $10 into clean water for 10 families” is specific and compelling.
- Avoid spam language: Reach the inbox by keeping your messages genuine and avoiding overhyped language. Words like “FREE,” “BUY NOW,” or excessive use of exclamation points can trigger spam filters.
- Test and optimize: Run A/B tests on different subject lines to gain insights into what resonates most with your audience. Use this data to refine your approach for future campaigns.
- Stay true to your brand: Avoid the temptation to adopt a completely different tone for Giving Tuesday, as it’s essential to remain consistent with your organization’s voice and brand. Authenticity matters.
- Use emojis sparingly: Use emojis judiciously to add a touch of flair and catch the eye. You want to enhance rather than detract from your message.
Best Giving Tuesday email subject line templates and examples
Creating original, compelling email subject lines for your campaigns can be a huge hurdle. Fortunately, you don’t need to start from scratch. Use our copy/paste Giving Tuesday email subject line templates for inspiration or (if you like them) directly in your campaign.
Whether looking for something heartfelt, urgent, or informative, there’s a template here for you. Feel free to use these as they are or let them be the spark that ignites your creativity. After all, every organization has a unique voice and story—embrace yours.
Direct request subject lines
Sometimes, it’s best to take the most direct approach. Don’t sugarcoat it or hide behind other messages—approach your supporters with a straightforward donation request.
- Join Us This Giving Tuesday 🌍
- Your Gift Matters Today More Than Ever
- Lend a Hand This Giving Tuesday 🤝
- Stand With Us Today for a Brighter Tomorrow
- We Need You—Make a Difference Now
- Giving Tuesday: Let’s Make It Count Together
- Your Support Can Change Lives Today
- Be the Change You Wish to See 🌟
- Today’s the Day: Support Our Mission
- Every Donation Counts: Can We Count On You?
- Be a Hero This Giving Tuesday 🦸
- Today, Every Little Bit Helps—Join Us
- Giving Starts With You—Donate Now
- Make Your Mark This Giving Tuesday ✍️
- A Simple Act Can Create Waves of Change 🌊
- Today, Your Gift Can Make All the Difference
- Join Our Giving Tuesday Movement
- Be a Part of Something Bigger This Giving Tuesday
- We’re on a Mission, and We Need Your Help
- Your Gift Can Change Lives—Donate Now
- Let’s Turn Hope Into Action This Giving Tuesday
- Today’s the Day to Make a Lasting Impact
- Giving Is an Act of Love: Show Yours Today ❤️
- Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today
- Today, Every Penny Counts: Support Our Mission
Clear impact subject lines
Show your supporters exactly what their donation will help achieve. Everyone wants to make a difference, and it’s impactful to know what a donation will do.
- Turn $5 Into 50 Meals for Families in Need
- Your $20 Can Provide Clean Water for a Month 🚰
- Give Today, Light Up a Village for a Year 💡
- Every $10 Educates a Child for a Month 📚
- Plant a Tree, Save the Future 🌳
- Your Donation: A Lifeline for Endangered Species 🐅
- $50 Can Shelter a Homeless Person for 5 Nights 🏠
- Your Gift Today Can Vaccinate 10 Children 💉
- Empower a Woman, Uplift a Community 👩🌾
- Your $30 Helps Train a Teacher and Shape Futures 🍎
- Clean Oceans Start With Your Donation 🌊
- Give Warmth: $15 Buys Winter Clothes for Those in Need
- $25 = 100 Books for Kids Eager to Learn
- Every Dollar Brings Clean Energy to Remote Villages 🌞
- Restore Sight With a $50 Donation 👁️
- Your Contribution Builds Homes and Hopes 🏡
- Give Today and Watch Communities Flourish Tomorrow
- Your Gift Today Can Sponsor a Child’s Education for a Year 🎓
- Feed the Hungry, One Meal at a Time
- $40 Provides Mental Health Support for Those in Crisis
- $25 Protects 50 Acres of Wildlife Habitat 🦜
- Your $15 Can Provide Essential Medicines for a Month
- Your Donation Fuels Research and Hope for Cures 🧬
- Light Up Lives: $30 Powers a Home for a Month
- Empower Dreams: Your Gift Funds Scholarships 📖
Tax deadline reminder subject lines
Many people make donations without thinking of tax advantages, but it’s a double whammy that donors should keep in mind. Give them a friendly reminder to make the most of their tax-deductible donations before it’s too late.
- Make a Difference and Get a Tax Break Before the Deadline
- Giving Tuesday: Your Last Chance for 2023 Tax Deductions
- Don’t Miss Out: Donate Now for Tax Benefits
- Time’s Ticking: Secure Your Tax Deductions With a Gift Today
- Reminder: Donate Before Year-End for Tax Advantages
- Tax Reminder: Give and Save
- Maximize Your Tax Savings With a Donation Today
- Giving Tuesday: A Win for Charity and Your Tax Return
- Make Your Gift Count for Giving Tuesday and Your Taxes
- Last Call for 2023 Tax-Deductible Donations
- Secure Your Tax Benefits: The Deadline Is Approaching
- Give Generously and Enjoy Tax Deductions
- Reminder: Your Tax-Deductible Window Is Closing
- Don’t Let Tax Benefits Slip Away—Donate Today
- Giving Tuesday: Double the Impact With Tax Savings
- Your Last Chance to Give and Get a Tax Break This Year
- Make the Most of Giving Tuesday and Year-End Tax Benefits
- Act Now: The Tax Deadline Is Just Around the Corner
- Giving Tuesday: A Gift for Them, a Tax Break for You
- Ticktock: The Tax Clock Is Winding Down—Donate Now
- Race Against the Clock: Donate Now for 2023 Tax Credits
- Act fast: The Tax Window Is Closing
- Make Your Year-End Gift Count in More Ways Than One
- Final Reminder: Donate Now for Maximum Tax Benefits
- Your Year-End Gift: Good for Them, Great for Your Taxes
Thank you subject lines
Once you secure a donation from your supporters, send them a heartfelt note thanking them for their generosity. However, without a compelling subject line, they might never see your thank you message. Here are a few ideas to get your donors’ attention.
- A Heartfelt Thank You for Your Giving Tuesday Generosity
- Your Gift Is Making Waves—Thank You 🙏
- Because of You, Change Is Possible—Thank You
- A Big THANK YOU From All of Us for Your Support
- Celebrating YOU This Giving Tuesday.—Thank You
- Grateful for You: Your Donation Is Changing Lives
- From All of Us: A Huge Thank You for Your Gift
- Your Giving Tuesday Contribution Means the World—Thanks
- Together, We’re Making an Impact—Thank you
- You’re Our Hero—Thanks for Your Giving Tuesday Gift
- A Simple Note to Say: Thank You for Giving
- Thanks for Being a Part of Our Giving Tuesday Journey
- Every Act of Kindness Counts—Thanks for Yours
- You’ve Lit Up Our World This Giving Tuesday—Thank You 🌟
- Your Support Is the Gift That Keeps on Giving—Thank You
- Your Giving Tuesday Gift Is a Game Changer—Thank You
- You’re the Heart of Our Mission—Thank You for Giving
- A Toast to You and Your Giving Tuesday Kindness 🥂
- You’ve Painted a Brighter Future—Thank You
- Your Generosity Is the Wind Beneath Our Wings—Thanks
- A Universe of Thanks for Your Cosmic Kindness
- Grateful for Your Gift and the Spirit Behind It—Thank You
- Every Step Forward Is Thanks to You
- Your Gift Is the Rainbow After Our Rain—Thank You 🌈
- Because of Donors Like You, Hope Thrives—Thank You
Urgency subject lines
Life is busy. And people who honestly care about your cause might put off making a donation until it’s too late. Add a touch of urgency to get them across the donation finish line on Giving Tuesday.
- Time’s Ticking—Donate Now ⏰
- Last Chance: Make It Count
- ⏳ Giving Tuesday’s Final Hours
- Hurry—Be a Changemaker 🌟
- Final Call: Join the Movement 🚀
- Donate Before Midnight 🌙
- Clock’s Ticking: Be a Hero 🦸
- Final Hours: Your Donation Can Change Lives
- Today’s Gift, Tomorrow’s Change
- Don’t Wait, Donate
- Giving Tuesday: Almost Over
- Donate Before It’s Too Late
- We Need Your Help
- Final Call: Your Gift Can Shape Futures
- The Finish Line’s in Sight—Let’s Cross It Together
- The Countdown Is On: Make Every Second Count
- Last Chance to Give
- Ticktock, Donate Now
- Now or Never
- Closing Time: Make Your Last Donations
- Quick, Donate Before Time’s Out
- Last Second, Big Impact
- Act Before Midnight
- Final Push, Make It Count
- Don’t Delay, Give Today
Real-life Giving Tuesday subject line examples
Want to see some real-life examples from brands you know and love? Here’s a quick list of Giving Tuesday subject lines we’ve seen.
- It Feels Good to Give Back 🧡 – Aftershokz
- Why We Give – Leesa
- In Honor of #GivingTuesday, We’re DOUBLING OUR PLEDGES! – Sevenly
- This #GivingTuesday, Make History With Us! – charity: water
- Join #GivingTuesday With Lyft – Lyft
- Today’s the Day. Give 100%. – charity: water
- Our First Charity Donation—You Made It Possible – Djusie
- 5 Ways Your Donation Will Change Lives – Road Scholar
- $10K Donation for Communities Thanks to You! – Meetup
- How Donations Can Fit Into Your Budget – Ellevest
- What This Teacher in Boston Needs Right Now ❄️ – DonorsChoose
- You Donate, We’ll Match – Patagonia
- Donate to the Red Cross and Earn Miles – American Airlines
- Donate. Get Free Stuff. – CW&T
- Helping Where We Can – Hooey
- Elevating Black Women – Adidas
Launch your Giving Tuesday email campaign with Twilio SendGrid
The right message at the right time on the right channel can inspire your audience to act, contribute, and make a difference. But crafting the perfect Giving Tuesday email subject line is just the beginning. You need to ensure your emails reach the intended recipients despite email traffic overload.
That’s where we come in.
Twilio SendGrid’s robust deliverability, user-friendly design tools, and actionable analytics help your campaigns reach the inbox. Whether sending to a few hundred supporters or a few million, SendGrid scales with your needs, making sure every email lands with impact.
Your message matters, and so does the platform you choose to deliver it. Let SendGrid be your partner in making a difference. Launch your Giving Tuesday email campaign with confidence by signing up for a free SendGrid account today to experiment with all the designs, features, templates, and sending capabilities.