Lately, many nonprofits are finding that they have to worry about something they never even considered before.

Sure, they had the usual worries about donor attrition, revenue, acquisition, retention, and so on.

But now, on top of all that, they have to worry that the federal government might be coming after them.

“The Trump administration is mounting a sweeping offensive on America’s nonprofit sector, deploying a blend of funding cuts, the elimination of tax benefits, bureaucratic paralysis and even installing a small DOGE team to target organizations that challenge the president’s agenda,” according to Politico (4/18/2025).

At least two nonprofits are reacting in the best way there is – with direct mail.

Take the Environmental Defense Fund. The Trump administration has canceled or interrupted hundreds of EPA grants, shut down more than 100 climate studies, and ended National Science Foundation grants for projects related to climate change. These cuts directly affect the EDF.

So they’re firing up their donors.

Amnesty International is another example. The Trump administration stopped U.S. foreign aid, halting programs for health care, food security, shelter, and humanitarian support. And ended  funding for programs supporting survivors of sexual violence, refugees, and marginalized communities.

Amnesty International has said that these cuts will leave millions without essential services.

So they’re firing up their donors too.

Both of these appeals are following a bold, in-your-face strategy to get noticed, get the appeal opened, and move donors.

There’s the oversize outer envelope (11” x 5” for one and 11-1/2” x 5 for the other).

There’s the simple, powerful messaging on the outer envelope: “Fight Back!”

There’s the bold graphic approach, with huge fonts and attention-grabbing reds and yellows.

And there’s the invitation to take action. The Amnesty International carrier touts an “activist tool kit inside.” And the Environmental Defense Fund envelope announces, “Petitions Inside!”

Inside, the letters continue the “take action” theme, urging donors to donate and to get involved.

You can see the strategy in both of these outer envelopes. They’re all about demanding attention, increasing the open rate, and getting donors motivated. When you see an appeal envelope like this in your mailbox, you know it’s something important. Your interest has been piqued. Your ire has been roused. And your means for fighting back are right at hand, inside the envelope.

These are tactics and strategies that virtually all nonprofits could use in their appeals, especially now when there’s so much chaos and uncertainty.

That’s why, as this turmoil continues and as the economy inches closer toward recession, nonprofits will have to grab donors’ attention and motivate them like never before. And that means direct mail tactics likes these will become necessary not only for success but also for survival.

See the whole story at https://www.nonprofitpro.com/post/how-2-nonprofits-are-using-direct-mail-to-get-donors-fired-up-to-take-action/