ChatGPT answers, unedited

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d start with Brevo if keeping costs predictable is the priority.

My practical recommendation

Brevo for a small, budget-conscious organization that has lots of supporters but doesn't email every day.

MailerLite if you want the simplest-feeling newsletter experience and your list is relatively small.

Mailchimp if integrations and familiarity with other nonprofit tools matter more than minimizing the monthly cost.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can narrow it down to the most economical option.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers, I’d start with Brevo. Its free plan allows unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails/day, with a simple drag-and-drop editor—useful when volunteers rotate in and out. Brevo Help

• Brevo: best if keeping costs extremely low matters.
• MailerLite: worth considering if you want especially simple newsletters.
• Mailchimp: familiar and has a 15% nonprofit discount, but pricing can become less attractive as your contact list grows. mailchimp.com

My practical choice: Brevo for a budget-conscious volunteer team.

For a small, volunteer-run nonprofit, I’d lean toward Brevo if keeping costs predictable is the priority, and Mailchimp if ease/familiarity matters most.

My shortlist

• 🥇 Brevo — best budget choice. Its free plan allows up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 email sends/day, so you aren't punished simply for having a large donor/volunteer list. Paid plans start at $9/month. Brevo Help
• 🥈 Mailchimp — easiest for volunteers. It has a very polished, beginner-friendly interface, lots of templates and integrations, and a free tier for small lists. Mailchimp also currently says it offers 15% off for nonprofits/charities. Mailchimp Mailchimp
• 🥉 MailerLite — excellent middle ground. Particularly good if your main needs are newsletters, volunteer updates, simple signup forms, and basic automation. Independent 2026 comparisons consistently rate it highly for small nonprofits. Capterra EmailToolScout

What I'd choose for your situation

If you're sending things like monthly newsletters, donor updates, volunteer announcements, event reminders, and occasional fundraising appeals, I'd start with Brevo.

The big advantage is its send-based pricing: you can keep a sizable database of donors and volunteers without the bill automatically increasing just because your contact list grows. Brevo Help

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can tell you which of Brevo, Mailchimp, and MailerLite would actually be cheapest for you.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers and supported by donors, I’d recommend Brevo as the best budget-friendly starting point.

My pick: Brevo

Brevo is particularly attractive if you have a growing donor/volunteer list but don't send emails every day.

• Free plan: $0/month, with up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 emails/day. Brevo Help
• Paid plans start around $9/month, so you can stay inexpensive as you grow. Brevo Help
• It has a drag-and-drop editor, so volunteers don't need technical skills. Brevo Help
• It includes basic CRM/contact-management features, which can be useful for separating donors, volunteers, members, and general supporters.
• Its pricing is based primarily on emails sent rather than number of contacts, which can be a big advantage for nonprofits with lots of supporters but relatively infrequent newsletters. Groupmail

Two alternatives worth considering

• Mailchimp — probably the easiest choice if your volunteers already know it. It has excellent templates and integrations, and verified nonprofits can get 15% off paid plans. Mailchimp Mailchimp The downside is that costs can rise as your contact list grows.
• MailerLite — a very good choice if your priority is simplicity and attractive newsletters. Several 2026 comparisons put it among the strongest inexpensive nonprofit options. Capterra EmailToolScout

What I'd choose

For your particular description, I'd start with Brevo's free plan. You can have volunteers manage newsletters without paying until your sending volume actually requires it.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can tell you which one will actually be cheapest.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers + donors, I’d shortlist these:

• mailerlite.com — my top pick. It’s relatively easy for volunteers to learn, has newsletters, signup forms, automation, and landing pages, and currently offers nonprofits a 30% discount. For example, MailerLite lists its nonprofit price at $48.30/month for 5,000 subscribers. MailerLite
• brevo.com — best if you want to keep costs very low. Its free plan allows 100,000 stored contacts and 300 email sends/day, so it can work well if you're sending occasional newsletters rather than frequent campaigns. Brevo Help
• mailchimp.com — easiest "everyone has heard of it" choice. It's polished and nonprofit-friendly, with a 15% nonprofit discount, but it gets more expensive as your donor list grows. Its current free tier is limited to 250 contacts. Mailchimp Mailchimp

What I'd choose

MailerLite if you want a straightforward system that volunteers can manage without much training.

Brevo if your nonprofit is extremely budget-conscious and sends relatively infrequent emails.

Mailchimp if ease of finding tutorials/help and familiarity among volunteers matters more than getting the absolute lowest price.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have and how often you email them, I can recommend the cheapest option for your specific situation.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers and funded by donors, I’d recommend MailerLite.

Why MailerLite is my pick

• Easy to learn: The drag-and-drop editor is straightforward enough that volunteers can take over without much training.
• Good for separate audiences: You can create groups for donors, volunteers, event attendees, and general supporters without paying extra just to segment them. MailerLite
• Very nonprofit-friendly pricing: MailerLite currently advertises a 30% nonprofit discount. Its free tier is also useful for a genuinely small organization. MailerLite
• Enough automation: You can set up things like welcome emails, volunteer reminders, and donor follow-ups without needing a marketing specialist.
• Room to grow: It is less likely than Mailchimp to become frustrating as your mailing list expands.

mailerlite.com

Two alternatives I'd consider

• Brevo — Best if you have a large donor list but send emails relatively infrequently. Its free plan allows unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails/day, so you aren't penalized simply for storing lots of supporters. VettedSaaS
• Mailchimp — Best if your volunteers already know it or you need lots of integrations. It's familiar and capable, but I'd choose MailerLite for a new small nonprofit because of the simpler pricing/value proposition. Capterra

My simple ranking:

1. 🥇 MailerLite — best overall for a small volunteer-run nonprofit
2. 🥈 Brevo — best for a large list on a tiny budget
3. 🥉 Mailchimp — best for familiarity/integrations

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can tell you which one would actually be cheapest.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d prioritize easy setup, low cost, simple list management, and the ability to separate audiences (donors vs. volunteers vs. newsletter subscribers). My top recommendations:

My recommendation by nonprofit size

• Under ~1,000 contacts and mostly newsletters/updates: Start with MailerLite. It’s probably the best balance of “a volunteer can learn it quickly” and “won’t feel limiting.” Capterra
• A few thousand donors/volunteers but only occasional emails: Consider Brevo to keep costs down. Givebutter
• You want the most familiar tool and expect lots of integrations: Choose Mailchimp. Capterra
• Your volunteers are not tech-comfortable and you value phone/help support: Look at Constant Contact. Constant Contact

A simple setup I’d use for a small nonprofit:

1. Create three lists/tags: - Donors
2. Volunteers
3. General supporters/newsletter subscribers
4. Send: - Monthly impact newsletter
5. Volunteer opportunities
6. Donation campaigns only to appropriate segments
7. Automate: - Welcome email for new subscribers
8. Thank-you email after donations (if connected to a donor system)

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have (e.g., 200, 2,000, 10,000) and whether you need donation tracking or just email newsletters, I can narrow it to one choice.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d usually recommend starting with MailerLite or Brevo, with Mailchimp as the “safe default” if your team wants something widely known. The best choice depends on how you communicate. Capterra

My top picks

1. Best overall for a small, volunteer-run nonprofit: mailerlite.com

Why I’d pick it:

• Very easy for volunteers to learn
• Clean newsletter templates
• Good for monthly updates, donor stories, event announcements, and volunteer recruitment
• Affordable as your list grows
• Includes basic automation (welcome emails, follow-ups) Capterra

Best fit: A nonprofit with a few hundred to a few thousand supporters that wants simplicity.

2. Best budget choice if you have a growing donor list: brevo.com

Why I’d pick it:

• Pricing is based more on emails sent than number of contacts, which can be cheaper for nonprofits with lots of stored donors who don’t all receive frequent emails
• Free plan is generous for organizations just getting started
• Includes email automation and basic CRM features GiveButter

Best fit: You have 5,000+ contacts but only send a newsletter occasionally.

3. Best “everyone knows it” option: mailchimp.com

Why nonprofits choose it:

• Lots of volunteers already recognize it
• Many integrations with donation platforms and other nonprofit tools
• Strong reporting and segmentation options Capterra

Downside: Costs can rise as your contact list grows, so it’s worth watching the pricing model. Capterra

4. Best if you run lots of events and need hand-holding: constantcontact.com

Why consider it:

• Very beginner-friendly
• Good customer support
• Useful event-management features
• Offers nonprofit discounts in some cases Constant Contact

Downside: Usually more expensive than the budget-focused options.

What I’d choose for a typical small nonprofit

• Under 1,000 subscribers: MailerLite
• 1,000–10,000 subscribers and budget-conscious: Brevo
• Need lots of integrations / already familiar with it: Mailchimp
• Mostly volunteers who need phone support: Constant Contact

A simple setup I often recommend:

1. Keep donor records in your donor database/spreadsheet.
2. Use the email tool for newsletters and campaigns.
3. Create 3 groups: - Donors
4. Volunteers
5. General supporters
6. Automate only a few things: - New subscriber welcome email
7. Donor thank-you follow-up
8. Event reminder

If you tell me your approximate number of donors/contacts, how often you email, and whether you already use a donor CRM (e.g., Bloomerang, Donorbox, Salesforce, etc.), I can narrow it down to one recommendation.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d usually recommend starting with MailerLite or Brevo, with Mailchimp as the “safe default.” The best choice depends on whether you care more about simplicity, donor segmentation, or keeping costs low as your list grows. Capterra Givebutter

My top picks

1. mailerlite.com — Best overall for a small volunteer-run nonprofit

Best if: you send newsletters, event updates, volunteer calls, and occasional fundraising appeals.

Pros:

• Very easy for non-technical volunteers to learn
• Clean drag-and-drop email builder
• Good-looking templates
• Free plan is generous for small organizations (often enough for early-stage nonprofits) Capterra
• Simple automation (welcome emails, follow-ups)

Cons:

• Fewer nonprofit-specific integrations than some larger platforms

My pick for: a local charity, community group, church nonprofit, animal rescue, neighborhood organization, or small foundation.

2. brevo.com — Best budget choice as your list grows

Best if: you have lots of supporters but don’t email every day.

Pros:

• Pricing is based more on emails sent than number of contacts, which can be cheaper for nonprofits with large donor lists Givebutter
• Free tier supports a large contact database with sending limits Givebutter
• Includes SMS options if you later want event reminders or urgent volunteer alerts

Cons:

• Interface is a little less beginner-friendly than MailerLite

My pick for: an organization with 2,000–20,000+ supporters that sends a monthly newsletter.

3. mailchimp.com — Best “everyone knows it” option

Best if: volunteers or board members already have experience with it.

Pros:

• Very widely used
• Lots of tutorials and integrations
• Strong contact tagging and reporting features Constant Contact

Cons:

• Can become expensive as your contact list grows
• The free tier is more limited than some alternatives Capterra

My pick for: nonprofits that need compatibility with other systems more than the absolute lowest cost.

Quick recommendation by situation

A simple nonprofit setup I’d suggest:

• Email tool: MailerLite or Brevo
• Lists/tags: Donors, volunteers, past volunteers, event attendees, newsletter-only supporters
• Automations: New supporter welcome email + thank-you email after donations
• Sending schedule: Monthly newsletter + occasional campaigns

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have (e.g., 300, 3,000, 20,000) and whether you use a donation platform or CRM, I can narrow it down to one choice.

A simple nonprofit setup I’d suggest:

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend Brevo as the best budget-friendly starting point.

My shortlist

• 🥇 Brevo — best overall value. The free plan allows up to 100,000 contacts and 300 emails/day, with a drag-and-drop editor, templates, basic reporting, and one user seat. Paid plans start at $9/month. Brevo Help
• 🥈 MailerLite — best for simplicity. Very volunteer-friendly and particularly good if you mostly send newsletters, event announcements, and donor updates. Its free/low-cost tiers are competitive, though the exact limits vary by plan.
• 🥉 Mailchimp — best-known/easiest to find help for. It has excellent templates and integrations, and verified nonprofits currently receive a 15% discount. Mailchimp Mailchimp

For your situation, I'd pick Brevo if you expect the donor/volunteer list to grow. Its pricing is based much more on how many emails you send than simply how many people are in your database, which can be advantageous for a nonprofit with a large list but only a few newsletters per month. Brevo Help

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can recommend the cheapest option and estimate your monthly cost.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers, I’d recommend Brevo first.

My pick: Brevo

Brevo is particularly attractive if your list includes lots of volunteers, donors, and supporters but you don't email them constantly.

• Free plan: up to 100,000 contacts and 300 emails/day. Brevo Help
• Easy drag-and-drop email editor and basic reporting.
• You can keep donors and volunteers in the same system while using different lists/segments.
• Paid plans start at $9/month, so it's inexpensive if you outgrow the free tier. Brevo Help
• The big advantage is that you're not immediately punished for having a large contact list; Brevo's pricing is primarily based on how many emails you send.

brevo.com

When I'd choose something else

• Mailchimp — best if your volunteers already know it or you want a very polished, familiar nonprofit email experience. It has lots of integrations, but its pricing is more sensitive to contact count. Mailchimp currently advertises a nonprofit discount, though its exact eligibility/terms should be verified before budgeting around it. mailchimp.com mailchimp.com
• MailerLite — worth considering if your priority is very simple newsletters and attractive templates. It's another strong low-cost choice for a small team.
• Zeffy — interesting if you want donations + donor management + email more tightly integrated rather than just an email newsletter tool. zeffy.com

What I'd do in your situation

If you're talking about something like a few hundred to a few thousand donors/volunteers, with perhaps 1–4 emails per month, I'd start with Brevo's free plan. You can get a newsletter, volunteer announcements, donor updates, and basic automated welcome emails without adding another significant monthly expense.

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how often you email them, I can give you a very specific Brevo vs. Mailchimp vs. MailerLite recommendation based on what you'd actually pay.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend mailerlite.com.

Why MailerLite is my pick

• Easy for volunteers: The interface is relatively straightforward, so you don't need a dedicated marketing person.
• Good for donors + volunteers: You can keep different groups/lists for donors, volunteers, event attendees, etc.
• Affordable: The current free plan supports up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month. MailerLite MailerLite
• Excellent nonprofit discount: Verified nonprofits get 30% off paid plans, with the discount continuing as long as the account remains eligible. MailerLite MailerLite
• Room to grow: You get newsletters, forms, landing pages, automations, templates, and integrations without needing a complicated marketing system. MailerLite

Two alternatives worth considering

• brevo.com — Probably the best choice if you have a large contact list but don't email everyone frequently. Its free plan allows unlimited contacts and 300 email sends per day. Brevo Help Brevo Help
• mailchimp.com — Very familiar and polished, which can be useful when lots of volunteers will be involved. However, its free tier is smaller, so I wouldn't choose it primarily for cost. Capterra

My quick rule:
MailerLite if you want simple + inexpensive + nonprofit-friendly.
Brevo if you have lots of contacts.
Mailchimp if familiarity for volunteers is the biggest priority.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have and how often you send emails, I can tell you which one would be cheapest for your specific nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d shortlist these three:

1. brevo.com — my budget pick.

The free plan allows unlimited contacts and 300 emails/day, which is unusually generous for a small organization. Paid plans start around $9/month. Brevo Help
Best if: you have a growing donor/volunteer list but only send a newsletter or a few appeals each month.

2. mailchimp.com — my ease-of-use pick.

It's probably the most familiar option for volunteers, has good templates and automation, and currently offers nonprofits 15% off paid plans. Mailchimp
Best if: you want something volunteers can learn quickly and you're comfortable paying as the list grows.

3. constantcontact.com — my support pick.

It's particularly friendly for nontechnical volunteers, with phone/chat support on its plans. Nonprofits can get 20% off for six-month prepayment or 30% off for annual prepayment. Constant Contact
Best if: having a human to call is worth paying a little more.

What I'd choose

Brevo if your priority is keeping costs as close to zero as possible.
Mailchimp if your priority is simplicity and a polished nonprofit newsletter.
Constant Contact if your volunteers are not particularly tech-savvy and support matters.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have and how often you email them, I can recommend the cheapest option for your specific situation.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers with donors and supporters to manage, I’d usually recommend starting with MailerLite or Brevo, with Mailchimp as the “safe default.” The best choice depends on how you communicate. www.capterra.com

My top picks

My practical recommendation

For most small nonprofits:

1. Under ~1,000 contacts and mostly newsletters/updates:

→ Start with MailerLite. It’s probably the easiest for volunteers to learn. www.capterra.com

2. Lots of volunteers/donors (several thousand contacts) but only a few emails per month:

→ Consider Brevo because the pricing model may be friendlier. www.capterra.com

3. You want the most mainstream option with lots of how-to guides:

→ Choose Mailchimp. www.capterra.com

Whichever you pick, I’d set up at least these groups:

• Donors (with giving history if you track it elsewhere)
• Volunteers
• General supporters/newsletter subscribers
• Event participants
• People who have not opened emails recently

That segmentation is often more valuable than fancy features.

If you tell me your approximate size (e.g., 200 donors vs. 5,000 contacts), whether you need donation tracking, and whether you already use a system like Givebutter, Bloomerang, Salesforce, or Google Sheets, I can narrow it down to one choice.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + nonprofit-friendly.

My shortlist

MailerLite specifically says its nonprofit program gives 30% off, and it's designed around use cases such as donors, volunteers, and multiple audience groups. MailerLite

My pick: MailerLite if you're starting fresh. I'd choose Brevo instead if you expect to have a relatively large donor/volunteer list but only send a newsletter or appeal occasionally. Current comparisons show Brevo's free tier can accommodate a very large contact list, while MailerLite's free tier is more limited but offers a particularly good nonprofit discount. Capterra vettedsaas.com

One correction worth making to some older recommendations: Mailchimp does currently offer a 15% nonprofit discount for verified nonprofits, according to Mailchimp itself. mailchimp.com

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can tell you which one would likely cost the least.

For a small, volunteer-run nonprofit, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + nonprofit-friendly.

My shortlist

• mailerlite.com — Best overall

• Very easy drag-and-drop editor.
• Free plan covers small lists.
• 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans, with lifetime validity while the account remains eligible. MailerLite MailerLite
• Good for separate groups such as donors, volunteers, monthly supporters, and general subscribers.
• Includes forms, landing pages, newsletters, and basic automation.
• My pick if volunteers will actually be managing the emails.
• brevo.com — Best if your list is large

• Pricing is primarily based on emails sent rather than number of contacts, which can be excellent for a nonprofit with thousands of supporters but only one or two newsletters per month.
• Free tier allows unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails/day according to current comparisons. Capterra VettedSaaS
• Also has SMS and basic CRM capabilities.
• The interface is a little less friendly than MailerLite, in my view.
• mailchimp.com — Best if familiarity matters

• Very established and lots of integrations.
• Mailchimp currently advertises a 15% nonprofit discount for verified nonprofits. Mailchimp
• I'd choose it if someone on your team already knows Mailchimp, but I wouldn't choose it solely because it's the most famous option.

What I'd do

If you're something like 200–2,000 contacts and sending a newsletter a few times a month, I'd start with MailerLite. It's simple enough that a volunteer can take over without needing to become an email-marketing expert, and the nonprofit discount gives you room to grow.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have and how often you want to email them, I can tell you which one is likely to be cheapest for your specific situation.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best balance of easy + inexpensive + nonprofit-friendly.

My shortlist

• 🥇 MailerLite — best overall

• Very approachable drag-and-drop editor, so volunteers can learn it quickly.
• Lets you keep donors, volunteers, board members, and other supporters in separate groups/segments.
• Free plan is available for very small lists.
• Verified nonprofits get 30% off paid plans, and the discount is ongoing. MailerLite MailerLite
• Particularly attractive if you expect your list to grow: MailerLite's nonprofit pricing is currently lower than comparable Mailchimp pricing at several list sizes. MailerLite
• 🥈 Brevo — best if you have lots of contacts

• Free plan allows up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 email sends per day. Brevo Help
• Good choice if you have a large volunteer/donor database but don't email everyone frequently.
• Less nonprofit-specific than MailerLite, but the pricing structure can be excellent for a growing list.
• 🥉 Mailchimp — best if familiarity/integrations matter

• Polished and widely used, with lots of integrations.
• Nonprofits currently get 15% off. Mailchimp
• I'd choose it if your volunteers already know Mailchimp or you need a particular integration—not simply because it's the most famous option.

What I'd pick for you

If you're something like 1–3 staff/volunteers managing a few hundred to a few thousand donors and supporters, I'd start with MailerLite. It gives you enough sophistication for newsletters, donation appeals, volunteer announcements, automated welcome emails, and separate donor/volunteer audiences without making someone become an "email marketing person."

mailerlite.com

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have (e.g. 500, 2,000, 10,000) and whether you need donation tracking/integration with your fundraising system, I can narrow it down to the cheapest sensible option.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d prioritize three things: very easy setup, a genuinely low/free starting cost, and simple donor/volunteer segmentation.

My pick: Mailchimp

mailchimp.com is probably the safest all-around choice if you want something volunteers can pick up quickly.

• Easy for nontechnical volunteers: lots of templates and a straightforward drag-and-drop editor.
• Good for donors + volunteers: you can tag or segment people into groups such as donors, volunteers, board members, and newsletter subscribers.
• Nonprofit discount: Mailchimp currently offers 15% off for nonprofits and charities. Mailchimp
• Room to grow: you can start small and add automation as your communications become more sophisticated.
• Downside: its pricing becomes less attractive as your contact list grows because pricing is tied to contacts.

Two alternatives I'd seriously consider

My rule of thumb:

• Under ~500–1,000 contacts: Mailchimp is the easiest default.
• Several thousand contacts + tight budget: I'd look at Brevo first.
• Lots of volunteers who aren't tech-savvy: Constant Contact is worth paying a little more for.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have now (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and whether you need automated donation thank-yous, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option that will actually fit.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend mailerlite.com as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + nonprofit-friendly.

• Easy for volunteers: clean drag-and-drop editor and relatively little technical setup.
• Good free starting point: the free plan supports up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month according to current comparisons. Capterra
• Nonprofit discount: MailerLite currently advertises 30% off for nonprofits. MailerLite
• Good for donors and volunteers: you can keep separate groups for donors, volunteers, newsletter subscribers, event attendees, etc.
• Room to grow: it has automation and segmentation without forcing you into a complicated CRM.

My shortlist

Brevo is particularly interesting if you have, say, 3,000–10,000 supporters but only send a newsletter once or twice a month. Its pricing is based primarily on emails sent rather than number of contacts, and its free tier allows a large number of stored contacts. VettedSaaS Groupmail

One correction worth noting: Mailchimp does currently offer a 15% verified nonprofit discount according to Mailchimp's own documentation. mailchimp.com

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers are on your list (e.g. 300, 1,500, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can tell you which one will be cheapest for your specific nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d recommend Brevo as the best budget-first choice, with MailerLite as the best alternative if you care more about simplicity and attractive newsletters.

My picks

• 🥇 Brevo — best overall value

• Free plan: $0/month, with unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails/day. Brevo Help
• Particularly good if you have a growing donor/volunteer list but only send a newsletter once or twice a month.
• Drag-and-drop editor, basic automation, segmentation, and SMS are included.
• The big advantage: you're not paying simply because you have lots of contacts.
• 🥈 MailerLite — easiest for volunteers

• Very clean, straightforward interface.
• Excellent for newsletters, event announcements, volunteer updates, and donor appeals.
• I'd choose it if your volunteers aren't especially technical and you want something they can learn quickly.
• 🥉 Mailchimp — easiest "familiar" choice

• Very polished and widely known, with lots of integrations.
• It currently advertises a 15% nonprofit discount for verified nonprofits. Mailchimp Mailchimp
• However, its contact-based pricing can become less attractive as your donor list grows.
• Constant Contact — best if you want human support

• Especially worth considering if volunteers will need phone support.
• Nonprofits can get 20% off with six-month prepayment or 30% off with 12-month prepayment. Constant Contact
• I'd pick it over the others if ease of getting help is more important than having the absolute lowest cost.

What I'd do in your situation

If you're talking about something like 100–2,000 donors/volunteers and sending a few emails per month, I'd start with Brevo. You can keep the software cost at $0 while you're small, and you won't have to worry about your bill jumping merely because your contact database grows. Brevo Help

If your priority is "I want a volunteer with almost no technical experience to be able to take over this tomorrow," I'd lean toward MailerLite instead.

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how often you email them, I can narrow it down to the cheapest/best option for your specific nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d prioritize ease of use, low cost, simple list management, and the ability to separate audiences (donors vs. volunteers vs. newsletter readers). My top picks:

My recommendation by situation

• Under ~1,000 contacts and mostly newsletters/updates:

→ MailerLite. It’s probably the easiest for a volunteer team to maintain.

• Lots of donors/volunteers but only a few emails per month:

→ Brevo. It can be more cost-efficient as your contact list grows. Capterra

• You need event invitations, RSVPs, and someone may need phone support:

→ Constant Contact. Constant Contact

• You already have a volunteer who knows it:

→ Mailchimp is perfectly reasonable—avoiding a learning curve can matter more than saving a few dollars. Capterra

For a typical small nonprofit, I’d start with MailerLite + a simple donor/volunteer spreadsheet or CRM, then upgrade only when you need more automation.

A few questions would change the recommendation:

1. About how many contacts do you have now (100, 1,000, 10,000+)?
2. Do you mainly send newsletters, fundraising appeals, or volunteer coordination emails?
3. Are you a registered 501(c)(3) (or similar nonprofit status)?

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the first tool to try.

My shortlist

• MailerLite — best overall for your situation. It has a clean, relatively simple interface, a free tier suitable for small lists, and a nonprofit discount on paid plans. Current comparisons put the free tier around 1,000 subscribers / 12,000 emails per month, though pricing and limits can change. Capterra EmailTooltester.com
• Brevo — best if you have lots of contacts. Its pricing is based more on emails sent than the number of contacts, and its free plan allows unlimited contacts with a daily sending limit. That's attractive if you have, say, 3,000 donors/volunteers but only email them a few times a month. Capterra
• Mailchimp — easiest "everyone knows it" choice. It's polished and has lots of integrations, but I'd choose it mainly if your volunteers already know it. It currently offers a 15% nonprofit discount for verified nonprofits. Mailchimp

What I'd pick

MailerLite → unless your contact list is large.

For a typical small nonprofit, you could set up separate groups for:

• Donors
• Volunteers
• General supporters
• Event participants

Then create a few simple automations, such as a welcome email for new volunteers or a thank-you sequence for new donors.

The big advantage is low volunteer training burden: you don't need someone who is a marketing specialist to maintain it.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you email them, I can tell you which of these will be cheapest and easiest for your specific nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + capable.

My top choices

• MailerLite — best overall. The interface is relatively simple for nontechnical volunteers, and it handles newsletters, donor/volunteer segments, signup forms, automations, and basic landing pages. Its free plan is suitable for a very small list, and verified nonprofits get 30% off paid plans. MailerLite MailerLite

mailerlite.com

• Brevo — best if you have lots of contacts but don't email very often. Its free plan allows up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 email sends per day, so you aren't paying simply because you have a large donor/volunteer database. Brevo Help

brevo.com

• Mailchimp — best if volunteers already know it. It's familiar and has lots of integrations, but I wouldn't choose it from scratch for a budget-conscious nonprofit unless there's a particular integration you need. Verified nonprofits get 15% off. Mailchimp

mailchimp.com

What I'd choose

MailerLite if you have, say, a few hundred to several thousand donors/supporters and want volunteers to be able to take over without much training.

A simple setup could be:

• Donors
• Volunteers
• General newsletter
• Event attendees

Then volunteers can create one newsletter and send it to the appropriate group without having to become email-marketing experts.

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how often you send emails, I can tell you which of these would be cheapest for your particular nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d usually recommend starting with MailerLite or Brevo rather than jumping straight to a more expensive platform. The best choice depends on how you communicate. Capterra ToolstackDB

My top picks

1. mailerlite.com — Best overall for a small volunteer-run nonprofit

Good fit if you need: newsletters, donor updates, volunteer announcements, simple fundraising campaigns.

Pros:

• Very easy drag-and-drop editor
• Clean templates that non-technical volunteers can learn quickly
• Good automation for things like: - new volunteer welcome emails
• donor thank-you sequences
• event reminders
• Free plan is generous for very small lists (commonly up to about 1,000 subscribers, depending on current terms) Capterra

Potential downside:

• Fewer nonprofit-specific integrations than some larger platforms.

My pick for: a local charity, community group, school foundation, or small arts/environmental nonprofit.

2. brevo.com — Best if your donor list is growing

Good fit if you have: lots of contacts but don’t email constantly.

Pros:

• Pricing is based more on emails sent than number of contacts, which can be cheaper for nonprofits with large supporter lists
• Includes email and SMS tools
• Free tier allows many contacts with sending limits Capterra VettedSaaS

Potential downside:

• The interface may take slightly more learning than MailerLite.

My pick for: organizations with thousands of supporters who only send a few campaigns per month.

3. mailchimp.com — Best if you want the most familiar tool

Good fit if: volunteers already know it or you need lots of integrations.

Pros:

• Widely recognized
• Strong templates and automation
• Many integrations with donation, event, and website tools Fullstaxx

Potential downside:

• Costs can rise as your contact list grows. Capterra

4. constantcontact.com — Best for less tech-savvy teams

Pros:

• Very beginner-friendly
• Strong customer support
• Useful for event invitations and community communications
• Offers nonprofit discounts on some plans Constant Contact

Potential downside:

• Usually more expensive than the free/low-cost options.

What I’d choose for a typical small nonprofit

• Under 1,000 donors/volunteers: MailerLite
• 1,000–10,000 contacts and tight budget: Brevo
• Need lots of integrations or everyone already knows it: Mailchimp
• Need phone support and simplicity: Constant Contact

A few nonprofit-specific features I’d prioritize:

• Separate lists/tags for donors, volunteers, board members, and newsletter subscribers
• Automated thank-you emails after donations
• Easy signup forms for volunteers
• Ability to export your contacts (avoid being locked in)

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and whether you mainly send newsletters, fundraising appeals, or volunteer/event updates, I can narrow it to one recommendation.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d lean toward Brevo as the best budget/ease combination right now.

My recommendation

1. brevo.com — best overall for a tiny nonprofit

• Free: up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 emails/day. Brevo Help
• Paid plans start around $9/month, with pricing based primarily on how many emails you send rather than simply how many people are on your list. Brevo Help
• Good drag-and-drop editor, templates, basic reporting, and automation.
• That pricing model is particularly attractive if you have, say, 1,000–5,000 donors/volunteers but only email them a few times a month.

2. mailerlite.com — best if simplicity is your #1 priority

I'd seriously consider this if your volunteers aren't especially tech-savvy. It's known for a clean interface and straightforward newsletter creation, and nonprofit discounts are available according to recent comparisons. Capterra SaaS Scored

3. mailchimp.com — best if familiarity/integrations matter

Mailchimp remains very easy to find volunteers who already know, and it has lots of integrations. It currently advertises a 15% nonprofit/charity discount. Mailchimp The downside is that its pricing can become less attractive as your contact list grows.

What I'd choose

For your situation, I'd start with Brevo's free plan. You can build separate lists/segments for donors, volunteers, board members, and general supporters without worrying about the size of the contact database. The main limitation is the 300-email-per-day sending cap. Brevo Help

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how often you email them (e.g., 500 people monthly), I can tell you which one would actually be cheapest and easiest for your nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d usually recommend starting with MailerLite or Brevo, with Mailchimp as the “easy default” if your team values familiarity over lowest cost. Capterra Toolstack DB

My top picks

1. Best overall for a small volunteer-run nonprofit: mailerlite.com

• Very easy drag-and-drop editor
• Good for newsletters, volunteer updates, donor thank-yous, and simple automations
• Free plan is often enough for small lists (commonly up to about 1,000 subscribers, depending on current terms)
• A good fit when the person sending emails is not a marketing specialist Capterra
• Best value if your donor list may grow: brevo.com

• Pricing is based more on emails sent rather than just number of contacts, which can work well for nonprofits with many supporters who only receive occasional updates
• Free tier is attractive for budget-conscious organizations
• Includes email plus optional SMS tools Capterra Toolstack DB
• Best “everyone has heard of it” option: mailchimp.com

• Easiest to find volunteers or staff who already know how to use it
• Lots of templates and integrations
• Good reporting and segmentation
• The downside: costs can rise as your contact list grows, so watch the pricing model Capterra Groupmail

What I’d choose by nonprofit size

• Under ~1,000 contacts, mostly newsletters and updates: MailerLite
• Several thousand donors/volunteers but only monthly or occasional emails: Brevo
• You want the most familiar tool and may need lots of integrations: Mailchimp
• You need donor management, receipts, and fundraising workflows: consider pairing email software with a nonprofit CRM rather than expecting the email tool to do everything

For a typical small nonprofit with a volunteer communications coordinator, I’d start with MailerLite unless you already have a large donor list. It’s simple enough that a volunteer can take over without much training. Capterra

A couple of questions would change the recommendation:

• Roughly how many people are on your email list now (500, 5,000, 20,000+)?
• Are you mainly sending newsletters, or do you need fundraising campaigns and donor tracking too?

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall fit.

My picks

• mailerlite.com — Best overall for your situation. It’s relatively inexpensive, has a straightforward drag-and-drop editor, and is easy enough that volunteers can take over without much training. Current comparisons report a free tier and a 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans. SaaS Scored EmailTooltester.com
• brevo.com — Best if you have a large donor list. Its free plan allows up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 email sends per day, so you aren't punished simply for having lots of inactive or occasional supporters. Brevo Help
• mailchimp.com — Best if familiarity matters. It's very established and has lots of integrations, but its contact-based pricing can become less attractive as your donor list grows. Mailchimp currently advertises a 15% nonprofit discount. Mailchimp Mailchimp
• constantcontact.com — Best for maximum hand-holding. It's particularly friendly to less-technical volunteers and offers phone/chat support, but it's more expensive and its nonprofit discount requires prepayment. Constant Contact

If it were my nonprofit: I'd start with MailerLite unless you already have several thousand contacts. It's the sweet spot between cheap, simple, professional-looking, and capable enough for donor/volunteer segmentation.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers are on your email list and how often you send, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option for you.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d recommend brevo.com as the best balance of easy + inexpensive + room to grow.

My picks

• 🥇 Brevo — best overall value. The free plan allows up to 100,000 stored contacts and 300 email sends per day, so you aren't punished just for having a large donor/volunteer list. The drag-and-drop editor is designed for beginners, and paid plans start at $9/month. Brevo Help Brevo
• 🥈 MailerLite — best for simplicity. I'd choose this if your main job is sending attractive newsletters and occasional donor/volunteer updates. It's particularly friendly for nontechnical volunteers, though its free-tier limits are tighter.
• 🥉 mailchimp.com — best-known/easiest to find help for. It's a very polished option and has a 15% verified nonprofit discount, but its pricing is based on the number of contacts you store, including unsubscribed contacts, so it can become less budget-friendly as your list grows. Mailchimp Mailchimp

What I'd choose for your situation

If you have something like 200–2,000 donors, volunteers, and supporters and send a newsletter once or twice a month:

Start with Brevo. You can have separate lists for donors, volunteers, board, and general supporters without needing a complicated CRM. You can also start at $0 and only pay when your sending volume requires it.

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how many emails you send per month, I can narrow it down to the cheapest/best option for your nonprofit.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall fit.

My shortlist

Why MailerLite: For volunteers, I'd prioritize simplicity over sophistication. You want someone who has never used an email-marketing system to be able to create a newsletter, import a list, add a photo, and send it without needing a training session.

One important distinction: If you're talking about email newsletters to donors/volunteers (e.g., “monthly updates,” fundraising appeals, event announcements), these are the right kinds of tools. If you mean individual organizational email addresses like jane@yournonprofit.org, that's a different product category.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers are on your list (e.g. 200, 1,000, 5,000) and whether you send weekly or monthly, I can tell you which one I'd pick and what it would likely cost.

For a small nonprofit with volunteers and donors, I’d prioritize easy setup, low cost, simple list management, and the ability to separate audiences (donors, volunteers, event attendees, newsletter readers). My top recommendations:

🥇 Best overall value: MailerLite

Best for: small teams that want something simple and affordable

• Very easy drag-and-drop email builder
• Good-looking newsletters without design skills
• Useful automations (welcome emails, donor follow-ups, volunteer onboarding)
• Generous free tier for small lists (commonly cited as up to around 1,000 subscribers, though plans can change) www.capterra.com
• Often a strong fit for volunteer-run organizations because it doesn’t feel overly “marketing-heavy” toolstackdb.com

My pick if: you have a few hundred to a few thousand contacts and mainly send newsletters, updates, and campaigns.

🥈 Easiest for beginners: Mailchimp

Best for: nonprofits where volunteers may already know the tool

• Very common, so it’s easy to find tutorials and volunteers familiar with it
• Lots of templates and integrations
• Good reporting (opens, clicks, engagement)
• Free options exist, but pricing can become less attractive as your list grows www.capterra.com

My pick if: you want the “everyone has heard of it” option and expect many different volunteers to help.

🥉 Best budget choice for larger lists: Brevo

Best for: nonprofits with many contacts but fewer monthly sends

• Free plan structure is based more on number of emails sent rather than just contacts, which can be helpful for growing lists www.capterra.com
• Includes email and SMS options
• Good if you need occasional mass announcements (fundraisers, urgent volunteer needs)

My pick if: you have 5,000+ contacts but only email occasionally.

Consider: Constant Contact

Best for: event-heavy nonprofits

• Strong event invitation and RSVP features
• Known for ease of use and support
• Usually costs more than the budget-focused options, though nonprofit discounts may help www.constantcontact.com

My pick if: your nonprofit runs lots of galas, workshops, classes, or community events.

My simple recommendation:

• Under 1,000 contacts: MailerLite
• 1,000–5,000 contacts: MailerLite or Brevo
• Lots of volunteers helping manage emails: Mailchimp
• Events are a major part of fundraising: Constant Contact

One setup tip: don’t keep donors and volunteers in one giant list. Use tags or groups like:

• Donors
• Monthly donors
• Volunteers
• Event attendees
• Former supporters
• Newsletter subscribers

That lets you send more relevant messages without annoying people.

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have, how often you email, and whether you need donations/event registration built in, I can narrow it down to one choice.

For a small nonprofit run partly or mostly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + capable.

My shortlist

Why MailerLite: Its interface is relatively straightforward for volunteers, and you get drag-and-drop emails, signup forms, automations, segmentation, and landing pages without needing someone who knows marketing technology. It also offers 30% off paid plans to verified nonprofits. www.mailerlite.comwww.mailerlite.com

One caveat: MailerLite's current free plan is smaller than some comparisons online suggest—its official pricing page currently says 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month. www.mailerlite.comwww.mailerlite.com So I'd check your list size before deciding.

Brevo is my second choice if you have a larger donor/volunteer list. Its free plan allows unlimited contacts, although you're limited to 300 emails per day; paid plans also have a nonprofit discount. www.capterra.com

I wouldn't automatically choose Mailchimp just because it's famous. It's easy enough, but its free tier is limited to 500 contacts, and the pricing becomes less attractive as a nonprofit's list grows. www.capterra.com

What I'd choose for your situation

If you tell me roughly (1) number of donors/volunteers, (2) how many emails you send per month, and (3) whether you need donation forms or just email newsletters, I can tell you which one I'd pick—and what it would likely cost you.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive.

MailerLite nonprofit plans

My shortlist

Why MailerLite is my pick: volunteers can generally learn it quickly, and it gives you the things a small nonprofit actually needs—newsletter templates, signup forms, groups/segments, basic automation, and reporting—without making you manage a complicated marketing system. Its nonprofit program currently offers 30% off every paid plan. www.mailerlite.com

One important distinction: if by "email tool" you mean a shared inbox for volunteers (e.g., info@yournonprofit.org) rather than sending newsletters to donors, I'd recommend something different.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have and how often you email them, I can narrow this to the cheapest option that will work well.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall choice.

🥇 My pick: MailerLite

Why it fits your situation:

• Easy drag-and-drop editor — volunteers can learn it quickly.
• Free plan for very small lists: currently up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month. www.mailerlite.com
• 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans once your nonprofit status is verified. www.mailerlite.com
• Includes newsletters, signup forms, basic automations, landing pages, and reporting. www.mailerlite.com
• Multiple users can work on the account, which is useful when volunteers rotate. Paid plans have more generous user access. www.mailerlite.com

MailerLite nonprofit information

Two good alternatives

Mailchimp is particularly familiar and has good integrations, but its pricing can become less attractive as your contact list grows. It currently offers verified nonprofits 15% off marketing plans. mailchimp.com

Brevo's free tier is interesting for nonprofits with lots of contacts because it doesn't impose the same contact ceiling, although the 300-emails-per-day limit can matter for large campaigns. help.brevo.com

Bottom line: If you're starting from scratch, I'd choose MailerLite. It's inexpensive, volunteer-friendly, and the 30% nonprofit discount makes it particularly compelling.

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 200, 1,000, 5,000) and whether you need donation receipts, newsletters, event reminders, or fundraising campaigns, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option for your exact situation.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive.

My pick: MailerLite

MailerLite

Why I’d choose it:

• Very easy to use — good drag-and-drop editor and templates, so volunteers don't need much training.
• Good for both donors and volunteers — you can create separate groups/segments for donors, volunteers, event attendees, etc.
• 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans with nonprofit verification. www.mailerlite.com
• It has enough automation to handle things like welcome emails and volunteer/donor follow-ups without becoming a complicated marketing system.
• It is generally a better value for a small organization than paying for a more sophisticated CRM/email platform.

Two alternatives I'd consider

Brevo's free plan is particularly interesting if you have lots of contacts but send relatively infrequently, because it allows unlimited contacts with a daily sending limit. www.capterra.com

One important distinction: email marketing software isn't the same thing as donor management software. If you need to track donations, donor history, receipts, volunteer records, etc., I'd look at an inexpensive nonprofit CRM/all-in-one platform instead of making MailerLite your donor database.

Bottom line: For something like “We have 500–3,000 donors/volunteers, a few volunteers need to send newsletters, and we want to spend as little as possible”, I'd start with MailerLite.

If you tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how often you email them, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option and estimate what you'd actually pay per month.

For a small nonprofit run by volunteers, I’d usually recommend starting with MailerLite or Brevo rather than jumping straight to the biggest names. They tend to give small organizations a good balance of simplicity, cost, and useful features. www.capterra.com

My shortlist:

www.capterra.comonehundrednights.com

My practical recommendations by situation:

• Under ~1,000 contacts, monthly newsletter, mostly volunteers: Start with MailerLite.
• Several thousand donors/volunteers but only a few emails per month: Look at Brevo.
• You need lots of integrations (website, forms, donation tools, CRM): Consider Mailchimp.
• You run frequent galas, fundraisers, registrations, or community events: Consider Constant Contact. www.capterra.comonehundrednights.com

For a typical small nonprofit, I’d set it up with:

1. One newsletter list (donors + supporters)
2. One volunteer list
3. Signup forms on the website
4. A simple welcome email series for new subscribers
5. Monthly impact updates (“what your support made possible”)

If you tell me:

• approximate number of donors/volunteers,
• how often you email,
• whether you collect donations online,
• and whether you’re a registered 501(c)(3),

I can narrow it down to one or two choices.

For a small nonprofit run largely by volunteers, I’d recommend Mailchimp as the safest overall choice.

My shortlist

1. Mailchimp — best overall for simplicity

• Very easy for volunteers to learn.
• Good-looking newsletter templates and drag-and-drop editing.
• Handles donor/volunteer lists, signup forms, segmentation, and basic automation.
• Mailchimp currently offers verified nonprofits a 15% discount on paid plans. mailchimp.com
• Biggest downside: pricing can become less attractive as your contact list grows.

2. Brevo — best if keeping costs extremely low

• Free plan allows up to 300 emails per day and up to 100,000 stored contacts. help.brevo.com
• Pricing is based more on emails sent than simply the size of your contact database, which can work well for nonprofits with lots of occasional donors.
• Interface is still fairly approachable, though I think Mailchimp is a little easier for inexperienced volunteers.

3. MailerLite — best simple alternative

• Particularly attractive if you want a clean, uncomplicated newsletter tool.
• Its free tier and nonprofit pricing make it worth considering for a small organization. www.capterra.com

What I'd choose

If you have a few hundred to a couple thousand donors/volunteers and mostly need newsletters, event announcements, volunteer updates, and fundraising appeals:

→ Start with Mailchimp.

If your overriding priority is spending as close to $0 as possible, I'd look at Brevo first.

One important distinction: if you need the email system to also function as a donor database/CRM (tracking donations, donor history, acknowledgments, etc.), I'd choose differently. In that case, tell me roughly how many contacts you have and how often you email, and I can narrow it down to the cheapest sensible option.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite first.

My pick: MailerLite

MailerLite

Why it fits:

• Very easy drag-and-drop editor — volunteers can learn it quickly.
• Free plan is useful for a small donor/volunteer list.
• 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans, according to MailerLite’s current nonprofit pricing. www.mailerlite.comwww.capterra.com
• Good enough for newsletters, donor updates, event announcements, welcome emails, and basic automated sequences.
• Less complicated than platforms that try to be an entire CRM/marketing suite.

Two alternatives worth considering

Brevo — best if you have a large contact list but don't email everyone very often. Its pricing is based heavily on emails sent rather than simply the number of contacts, and its free tier allows a large number of contacts. www.capterra.com
Brevo

Mailchimp — best if having a familiar, widely used interface and lots of integrations matters. It's very approachable, but I wouldn't choose it primarily for cost; its pricing can become less attractive as your contact list grows. www.capterra.com
Mailchimp

What I'd choose by situation

Bottom line: For a small nonprofit where volunteers need to be able to take over the newsletter without much training, MailerLite is probably the best balance of simplicity, price, and nonprofit discount right now. An independent 2026 comparison also puts MailerLite among the strongest options for small nonprofits, while its own nonprofit page confirms the 30% discount. www.mailerlite.comwww.capterra.com

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have and how often you email them, I can narrow it down to the cheapest option and estimate your monthly cost.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + capable.

My shortlist

What I'd pick

MailerLite if you have, say, a few hundred to a few thousand donors/volunteers and mainly need:

• A monthly newsletter
• Volunteer announcements
• Donation appeals
• Event invitations/reminders
• Separate lists or groups for donors vs. volunteers
• A few automated emails, such as a welcome message
• Something a new volunteer can learn without much training

Recent nonprofit comparisons put its free tier around 1,000 contacts/12,000 emails per month, with a nonprofit discount on paid plans, although I'd verify the current terms before signing up. www.capterra.com

Brevo would be my choice if you have a large contact list but don't email everyone very often. Its contact-vs-send pricing model can be particularly attractive for nonprofits. www.capterra.comgroupmail.io

I wouldn't automatically choose Mailchimp just because it's the most famous. It's easy to use, but several 2026 comparisons note that its contact-based pricing can get expensive as a nonprofit's list grows. www.capterra.com

If you tell me roughly how many donors/volunteers you have (e.g. 300, 1,000, 5,000) and how often you'd email them, I can tell you which one I'd choose and what it would likely cost.

For a small nonprofit run partly by volunteers, I’d recommend MailerLite as the best overall balance of easy + inexpensive + capable.

My shortlist

MailerLite currently advertises 30% off for nonprofits, and its free plan is particularly useful for a small organization—up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month according to a current 2026 comparison. www.mailerlite.comwww.capterra.com

Why I'd pick MailerLite for you: volunteers can take over without needing much training, you can have separate groups for donors, volunteers, board members, and general supporters, and you get useful automation without paying for a complicated marketing system.

One important exception: if you have, say, 5,000–20,000 contacts but only email them once or twice a month, I'd look seriously at Brevo because its pricing model can be much more economical for large-but-infrequently-emailed lists. www.mailerlite.comwww.capterra.com

If you tell me roughly (1) number of contacts, (2) how often you email, and (3) whether you need donation forms/CRM integration, I can tell you which one I'd choose and what it would likely cost.