Substack

Direct newsletter publishing platform

Substack is a publishing platform that enables organisations to write, distribute, and manage newsletters and podcasts directly to subscribers via email and web.

It allows to build a direct communication channel with donors, supporters, and stakeholders without relying on social media platforms.

Communication challenges for nonprofits & social purpose organisations

Challenge
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Maintaining consistent communication with donors, volunteers, and stakeholders is difficult

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Email marketing tools can be complex and require technical setup

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Building and retaining an engaged audience requires both platform and content consistency

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Strong programme work often does not translate into sustained narrative and communication

Solution
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Platforms like Substack enable organisations to publish directly to subscribers, simplifying content distribution while building a loyal, owned audience

Key capabilities of Substack

Direct-to-inbox publishing

Write and send newsletters directly to subscriber inboxes without complex email setup

Web-based content archive

All newsletters are automatically published as web pages for broader access

Subscriber management

Track and manage subscribers, including free and paid audiences

Paid subscription support

Option to monetise content through recurring subscriptions

Pricing for nonprofits

Free to start

  • No cost for publishing free newsletters
  • Suitable for most nonprofit use cases

Paid subscriptions

  • 10% platform fee on revenue from paid subscriptions

Additional considerations

  • Email delivery costs may apply at very large scale

Best suited for which nonprofits?

Organisations with a consistent editorial voice and regular content

Fundraising teams building direct donor relationships

Organisations investing in thought leadership and storytelling

SPOs looking for a simpler alternative to complex email tools

Similar tools for content and email communication

Mailchimpadvanced email marketing and automation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Substack used for?

To publish newsletters and long-form content directly to a subscriber audience

Is Substack free for nonprofits?

Yes, it is free for standard newsletters; fees apply only for paid subscriptions

How is it different from Mailchimp?

It is built for content and audience relationships, not campaign-based email marketing

Who should use Substack?

Organisations with regular content and a focus on storytelling and audience engagement

When does Substack create the most value?

When organisations want a direct, owned communication channel with their audience

Want to learn more?

Visit Substack

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