Custom Postcards for Nonprofits: Donor Appeals, Event Invites and Thank-Yous
appeals, invites and thank-yous donors keep.
Custom postcards for nonprofits put your mission in front of donors, volunteers and neighbors without the cost and bulk of a full appeal letter. Get Custom Postcards prints full-color nonprofit postcards for year-end appeals, gala invitations, volunteer drives and donor thank-yous, starting at 12 pieces, with a free mockup within 24 hours and nothing to pay until you approve the design.
Custom postcards for every touchpoint in the donor year.
Year-end giving appeals
A bold postcard with one story, one photo of your program and a QR code to the donation page reaches donors who never open a long appeal letter.
Gala and fundraiser invitations
Foil or jumbo postcards make a benefit dinner, auction or charity run feel like an event worth saving the date for, and they stay on the fridge.
Donor thank-you cards
Printed thank-you postcards with room for a handwritten line let board members and staff personally thank every donor after a campaign.
Volunteer recruitment
Postcards announcing volunteer days, mentor programs or seasonal drives can go to past volunteers or be handed out at community events and congregations.
Impact updates
A short impact postcard shows supporters what their gifts did this season, keeping donors connected between appeals without asking for anything.
Membership renewals
Museums, associations and friends groups use renewal postcards with a business reply panel or QR code so members can renew quickly.
Custom postcards styles you can order.
Postcards that sound like your mission, not a mass mailing.
Get Custom Postcards works with nonprofits, charities, churches, school foundations and community groups that need printed pieces fast and without fuss. Send your logo and a few program photos, and the design team returns a free mockup within 24 hours.
- One order can include appeal, invite and thank-you designs
- Unlimited free revisions so the board can sign off
- Nothing to pay until you approve the design
Custom postcards built for nonprofit campaigns.
Formats
Standard, jumbo, foil-accented and business reply postcards, each printed in full color so photos of your programs look their best.
Branding
Your logo, mission line, program photos, QR codes and donation URL, with versions for different campaigns or chapters in one order.
Quantities
Start at 12 postcards for a board thank-you run, or order a full mailing for a community-wide appeal.
Timing
Free mockup within 24 hours and standard turnaround of about 2 weeks, with express shipping available for tight campaign dates.
Why do nonprofits use custom postcards instead of letters?
Nonprofits use custom postcards because a postcard is read the moment it comes out of the mailbox. There is no envelope to open, so your headline, a program photo and the donation link are seen even by supporters who would set a letter aside for later. For many small and mid-sized organizations, postcards are the easiest way to stay visible between big appeals.
A postcard also forces a clear message. Instead of a long letter about every program, you pick one story, one need and one action. That focus tends to make the call to give, register or volunteer easier to act on. Postcards work well alongside a longer annual letter rather than replacing it: the letter tells the full story, and the postcard reminds, invites and thanks.
- Fast to read: the message is visible without opening anything.
- Easy to share: donors pin event postcards on the fridge or pass them to friends.
- Flexible: mail them, hand them out at events or tuck them into gift bags.
What should a nonprofit fundraising postcard say?
A nonprofit fundraising postcard should say one thing clearly: who you help, what a gift makes possible right now and exactly how to give. The front carries a strong photo and a short headline. The back carries a few sentences of story, the donation URL or QR code, and your organization’s name and logo so donors recognize the sender instantly.
Keep the language specific and human. Name the program, the season or the neighborhood rather than writing in general terms. Avoid crowding the card with every program you run; a supporter who wants more will follow the link. If you plan to ask for gifts by mail, a business reply postcard gives donors a prepaid way to respond.
- Headline that names the need or the outcome.
- One photo of real program work, without crowding.
- A few sentences of story on the back.
- A single action: give, register, renew or volunteer.
- Logo, website and a QR code that goes straight to the right page.
Which postcard format works best for each nonprofit campaign?
The best postcard format depends on the job. Standard postcards cover most reminders and thank-yous, jumbo postcards give a year-end appeal or gala more presence in the mailbox, foil adds polish to invitations, and business reply postcards make response by mail simple. The table below shows how nonprofits commonly match format to campaign.
| Campaign | Suggested format | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Year-end appeal | Jumbo postcards | More room for a photo and story, and it stands out in a busy December mailbox. |
| Gala or benefit invitation | Foil postcards | Foil accents signal a special event and feel worth keeping. |
| Donor thank-you | Standard postcards | Compact, with space for a handwritten note from staff or board. |
| Membership renewal or pledge | Business reply postcards | Supporters can respond by mail without finding a stamp. |
| Neighborhood awareness | EDDM postcards | Reach every household around a food bank, shelter or community center. |
Not sure which size suits your plan? The standard vs. jumbo comparison covers the tradeoffs in detail.
Can one nonprofit order include different designs for each campaign or chapter?
Yes. A nonprofit postcard order can include several designs, so you can print a year-end appeal, a gala invite and a donor thank-you together, or create one version for each chapter, program or region. Get Custom Postcards sets up each version in the mockup so your team can review them side by side before anything prints.
Multi-version orders are useful for organizations with local chapters that share a brand but need their own address, contact name or event date. They also suit campaigns where you want to speak differently to first-time donors, monthly givers and lapsed supporters. Plan the list of versions before you request a quote so the design team can lay them out consistently.
- Chapter or branch versions with local details.
- Segmented appeals for new, monthly and lapsed donors.
- Event series cards that share a look but change the date and venue.
How far ahead should a nonprofit order postcards for an appeal or event?
A nonprofit should order postcards well before the date they need to be in hand, adding mail delivery time for anything that will be mailed. Get Custom Postcards returns a free mockup within 24 hours, standard production takes about 2 weeks after approval, and express shipping is available when a campaign date is close.
The step that usually takes longest is internal sign-off. Board members, development staff and program leads often want to review copy and photos, so build that review into the plan. For mailed pieces, also allow time for addressing and postal delivery. Working backward from the in-home date keeps a year-end appeal or invitation from arriving after the moment has passed.
- Pick the in-home or event date.
- Allow time for mail delivery if mailing.
- Allow about 2 weeks for production.
- Leave a few days for board and staff review of the mockup.
What does a nonprofit need to send to get started?
To get started, a nonprofit needs only a logo, the message for each postcard and a sense of quantity and timing. Photos of your programs, your donation URL and any brand colors help the design team match your existing materials. If you have no design files, the team can build the postcard from your logo and a few notes.
Request a quote through the quote form and list every campaign you want printed. The mockup arrives within 24 hours, revisions are unlimited and free, and you pay nothing until you approve. The how it works page walks through each step, and the custom marketing postcards page covers general design options.
From your logo to delivered postcards in four steps.
Send your artwork
Upload your logo or describe the idea and tell us the quantity you have in mind.
Get a free mockup
A designer returns a mockup of your postcards with the artwork in place. Unlimited free revisions.
Approve the design
Nothing is produced until you approve the mockup, and you pay nothing before that.
Receive your order
Standard production is about two weeks after approval; faster turnaround is available with express shipping.
Custom postcards for nonprofits and charities, answered.
Can a small nonprofit order custom postcards in a small quantity?
Custom postcards from Get Custom Postcards start at a minimum of 12 pieces, which suits a small nonprofit, a single chapter or a board thank-you run. You can order a short batch for a pilot campaign, see how supporters respond and then reorder a larger quantity for the next appeal using the same approved design and artwork.
Can nonprofit postcards include a QR code that links to our donation page?
Nonprofit postcards can include a QR code that sends supporters straight to your donation, registration or volunteer sign-up page. Place the code on the back near the call to action, and test the link before you approve the mockup. A short printed URL beside the code helps donors who prefer to type the address themselves.
Should a gala invitation postcard use foil?
Gala invitation postcards often benefit from foil accents because foil signals a special evening and makes the card feel worth keeping. Use foil sparingly on the event name, logo or a border so the date, venue and RSVP details stay easy to read. Get Custom Postcards can show foil placement in the free mockup before you approve.
How can postcards help a nonprofit thank donors after a campaign?
Thank-you postcards let a nonprofit acknowledge every donor quickly and personally after a campaign. Print a warm front image and a short message, then leave white space on the back for staff or board members to add a handwritten line. Donors who feel thanked are more likely to give again, and the card costs them nothing to read.
Can we print postcards for several chapters with different local details?
Postcards for multiple chapters can share one design while each version changes the local address, contact name, event date or photo. Get Custom Postcards sets up every chapter version in the mockup so national staff can review the whole set together. List each chapter's details in your quote request so the layouts stay consistent across the order.
What photos work best on a nonprofit postcard?
Nonprofit postcards work best with one clear, high-resolution photo of real program work, such as a meal being served, a classroom, a cleanup site or an animal ready for adoption. Pick an image with a single focal point rather than a crowded group shot. Get Custom Postcards will flag any photo that may print soft before production begins.
Are jumbo postcards a good choice for a year-end appeal?
Jumbo postcards are a strong choice for a year-end appeal because the larger card stands out in a crowded December mailbox and leaves room for a photo, a short story and a clear giving link. Get Custom Postcards prints jumbo postcards in full color on both sides, so the front and back can both carry your message.
Can a nonprofit hand out postcards at events instead of mailing them?
Nonprofit postcards work well as handouts at community fairs, congregations, school nights and volunteer days. A handout postcard can skip the mailing panel and use the full back for program details, a QR code and upcoming dates. Many organizations order one design for mailing and a second handout version in the same order.
How should a volunteer recruitment postcard be written?
A volunteer recruitment postcard should name the role, the time commitment in plain words and the next step to sign up. Lead with the difference volunteers make, add a photo of the work and include a QR code to the sign-up form. Get Custom Postcards can print a matching version for each volunteer program in one order.
Can postcards announce a nonprofit's impact without asking for money?
Impact postcards can share what donors made possible this season without including an ask. Use a headline about the result, one photo and a few lines of story, then point to your website for the full report. Supporters appreciate updates that are not appeals, and Get Custom Postcards can print them on the same schedule as your fundraising pieces.
Can our board review the nonprofit postcard design before it prints?
Nonprofit postcard designs from Get Custom Postcards arrive as a free digital mockup within 24 hours, which you can share with board members, development staff and program leads. Revisions are unlimited and free, so the team can adjust wording, photos and colors until everyone signs off. Nothing prints and nothing is charged until you approve.
Can membership organizations use postcards for renewals?
Membership postcards suit museums, associations, friends groups and alumni organizations that need a simple renewal reminder. Include the member benefit, a renewal link or QR code and, if you want mail responses, a business reply panel. Get Custom Postcards can print a renewal design alongside a welcome card for new members in the same order.
What makes a donation request postcard different from a business promotion postcard?
A donation request postcard focuses on a person or program that needs help, while a business promotion postcard focuses on an offer. Nonprofit cards lean on real stories, program photos and a single giving action rather than discounts. Get Custom Postcards designs nonprofit postcards with that emotional emphasis while keeping the logo and giving link easy to find.
Can a nonprofit postcard order mix standard and jumbo sizes?
Nonprofit postcard orders can mix sizes, such as jumbo cards for a major appeal and standard cards for thank-yous or event reminders. Each size gets its own layout in the mockup, so the design looks right at both scales. Mention every size and campaign in your quote request so Get Custom Postcards can plan them together.
How can a nonprofit track which postcard brought in donations?
Nonprofit postcards can be tracked by giving each campaign or version its own QR code, short URL or reply code. Your donation platform then shows which card drove each gift. Tracking helps you decide which message, photo or audience segment to repeat, and Get Custom Postcards can print a distinct code on each version in one order.
Do faith communities and schools order the same kind of postcards as charities?
Faith communities, school foundations and parent groups order many of the same postcards as charities, including fundraising appeals, event invitations, volunteer calls and thank-you cards. The difference is usually tone and imagery. Get Custom Postcards adapts the design to your community, using your logo, colors and photos so the card feels like it came from you.
Ready to see your postcards with your logo?
Free mockup within 24 hours. Minimum order 12. Standard turnaround about 2 weeks, faster available. You pay nothing until you approve the design.
Related pages
- Get a custom postcard quote
- How it works
- Business reply postcards in bulk
- Foil postcards in bulk
- Jumbo postcards in bulk
- Custom postcards for real estate agents
- Postcard Artwork Checklist: Files, Bleed, Color and Proofs
- Custom Postcards for Grand Openings: Announce, Invite and Bring Neighbors In
- How Many Custom Postcards Should You Order? A Quantity Planning Guide
Win Free Stuff
Enter below for a chance to win plus receive 10% off your first order.
🎉 You are in!
We will text you your 10% off code. Good luck!