70 Giving Tuesday subject lines to drive donations in 2025

The basics of attention-grabbing subject lines

Before we get into the actual examples, let’s look at a few best practices that apply across all of the categories of Giving Tuesday email subject lines:

• Keep it short. Aim for fewer than nine words and under 60 characters. A shorter length is especially important for people who read your emails on mobile.
• Send test emails. It’s the best way to see what your email actually looks like, so you can fix that wonky special character or emoji before it goes out to your whole list.
• Avoid spam trigger words. While there’s nothing wrong with instilling urgency, certain words (think things like “hurry,” “act now,” or even all caps or too many exclamation points) can trigger spam filters and keep your email out of people’s inboxes.
• Front-load the most important words. Put your main idea right at the start of your subject line so it’s immediately visible, even on small screens. For example, “Give today to support local families” instead of “Support local families by donating today.”
• Test with and without emojis. Emojis can have a positive effect on open and click-through rates, but using too many of them can make your email look like spam. Test your subject lines with and without emojis to get a sense of what’s working best with your supporters.
• Review your performance from last year. Take a look back at last year’s campaigns. Those metrics can offer clues as to what resonates with your donors, so you can incorporate those insights into this year’s subject lines.

70 Giving Tuesday subject lines you can copy, paste, and personalize

Now let’s get to what you really want: examples of Giving Tuesday subject lines that you can easily adapt and use for your own campaigns.

We’ve broken them into a variety of categories so you can quickly find the ones that are the best fit for your needs, voice, and desired approach. However, these aren’t clear-cut categories — and plenty of the strategies can be combined. For example, a single subject line could incorporate urgency, impact, and emojis.

To instill urgency

Giving Tuesday is only one day, so there’s a natural sense of urgency built in. Emphasizing this fact (again, without being spammy) can inspire your donors to open your email and take immediate action.

1. Last chance to make a difference today
2. Only a few hours left to give…
3. Today counts: help us [cause] before midnight
4. Your gift matters — don’t miss today
5. Time’s almost up to support [cause]
6. Support [cause] before Giving Tuesday is over
7. Give now to make an impact today
8. Counting down: Help us [cause] this Giving Tuesday
9. Final hours to join our Giving Tuesday efforts
10. Make a difference before Giving Tuesday ends

To highlight matching gifts

Matching gifts — whether through a foundation, corporation, or large donor — can significantly increase donations, with 84% of donors saying they’re more likely to contribute if a match is offered. Calling attention to this in your subject lines tells supporters upfront that they have an opportunity to make their gift go further.

1. Double your impact for [cause] today
2. Your gift goes twice as far for [cause]
3. Every gift matched today for [cause]
4. Help [cause] today — your support is doubled
5. Give today and double your impact
6. Today: matching gifts make your donation go further
7. Support [cause] — all gifts matched today
8. Make your Giving Tuesday donation go further
9. Matching gifts make today’s donations count more
10. Your contribution goes further with a match

To emphasize impact

Donating activates the regions of the brain associated with pleasure, which means giving just feels good. You can amplify these positive vibes by using your subject line to show donors the meaningful difference their gift makes. When possible, use concrete numbers to show your supporters the quantifiable results they can help you achieve.

1. Your support changes lives at [cause]
2. Make a real impact for [cause] this Giving Tuesday
3. See the difference your gift can make
4. Help [cause] deliver [real-world result]
5. Your gift powers [results] at [cause]
6. Turn your generosity into real impact this Giving Tuesday
7. See how your donation helps [cause or result]
8. Your contribution helps us achieve [outcome]
9. Help [cause] reach [specific outcome] today
10. Your generosity fuels [cause]’s [result]

To make a personal connection

Even if you’re sending the same email to hundreds or thousands of people, making your supporters feel like you’re only talking to them is powerful. Data shows that emails with personalized subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened. If you can’t include a donor’s first name, making your subject line more donor-centric can help you generate that same feeling of connection.

1. [First Name], see the difference you can make
2. You make our work possible
3. Your support matters today, [First Name]
4. We’re counting on you this Giving Tuesday, [First Name]
5. You’re making an impact at [cause], [First Name]
6. We couldn’t do this without you
7. You’re part of something bigger at [cause]
8. [First Name], your gift makes a difference today
9. You can help bring [cause] closer to our goal
10. [First Name], you’re making change happen

To spark curiosity

There’s nothing more intriguing than a question — and once we hear one, it’s difficult for our brains to think about anything else. Needless to say, working questions into your Giving Tuesday subject lines can pique your donors’ curiosity and encourage them to open your email to find the answer.

1. Can you help [cause] reach its goal today?
2. What difference could your gift make?
3. How will you support [cause] this Giving Tuesday?
4. Could your donation change a life?
5. Are you part of [cause]’s Giving Tuesday success?
6. Ready to see what your gift can accomplish?
7. Can you make an impact this Giving Tuesday?
8. Have you made your Giving Tuesday gift yet?
9. Can one gift really make a difference?
10. Who will your gift help at [cause]?

To show gratitude

You don’t just have to show appreciation after your supporters donate. Including gratitude directly in your Giving Tuesday subject lines makes your donors feel seen and valued, making them more likely to give.

1. Thank you for making a difference, [First Name]
2. We appreciate your support at [cause]
3. Your generosity means the world to us
4. Thanks to you, [cause] is thriving
5. We’re grateful for everything you do, [First Name]
6. Your support keeps [cause] moving forward
7. Thank you for being part of our mission
8. Thank you — your contribution makes a big difference
9. We’re so thankful for your support, [First Name]
10. Thanks for helping us make a real impact

To add warmth and personality

Emails can feel a little impersonal, but the good news is that emojis can help. Research shows the same part of our brain that processes human facial expressions also processes emojis. So, bringing them into your email subjects can strengthen your connection with your supporters. Even if you don’t use a face — maybe you’ll opt for a heart or some clapping hands instead — emojis bring some extra personality and warmth to your Giving Tuesday email campaigns.

1. You can make a difference today ❤️
2. Your support changes lives 🌟
3. Help [cause] succeed this Giving Tuesday 🙌
4. You can make a real impact 💪
5. Will you join us this Giving Tuesday? 🎁
6. Together, we can achieve more 🌱
7. Your generosity matters 👏🏻
8. Support [cause] and help us reach our goal 🚀
9. Be part of the change today 💗
10. Let’s make this Giving Tuesday count 🎉

Email subject lines that spark support

Your email subject line might be only a few words, but it has a big job. Ultimately, the best Giving Tuesday subject lines are the ones that resonate with your supporters — and that can mean something different for every nonprofit. Use the above examples as your starting point and then do some testing and experimenting to find the subject lines that generate cash (and avoid the trash). Read next: 10 donor engagement strategies that let tech supplement tradition