Why Your Board Should Champion Direct Mail Fundraising

In today’s fast-paced, digital-first world, many nonprofit boards question the role of direct mail in modern fundraising. Too often, it’s dismissed as outdated or costly—but the data tells a different story. Direct mail remains one of the most effective tools for donor acquisition, retention, and stewardship across all generations.

According to recent findings from AFP and DonorPerfect, direct mail continues to outperform many digital-only strategies in visibility, response rates, and long-term giving potential. Unlike emails—with average open rates around 28%—direct mail lands in the hands of your donors, offering a tactile, personal connection that drives action and reinforces trust.

So, how do you help your board see that “direct mail is not dead”.

Start with education. Present your board with real campaign data: response rates, donor retention metrics, and lifetime value comparisons between mail-acquired donors and digital-only donors. Demonstrate how a robust direct mail program, when integrated with email and social media, lifts overall results rather than competing with other channels.

Next, involve them in the process. Encourage board members to participate as fundraising ambassadors—signing letters, sharing personal stories in appeals, or even helping identify prospects for targeted outreach. Boards engaged in the process become champions of the mission, not skeptics of the method.

Finally, frame direct mail as an investment, not an expense. The best programs focus on multi-touch donor journeys—from acquisition to stewardship—ensuring each dollar spent builds sustainable revenue and long-term relationships.

At Integrated Direct Marketing, we’ve seen time and again that nonprofits with board buy-in for direct mail achieve stronger, more consistent results. It’s time to turn hesitation into advocacy—and make direct mail a proud, powerful part of your fundraising strategy.

Ready to amplify your fundraising impact? Partner with us today and make direct mail a cornerstone of your fundraising success.