Nonprofit press release template
Nonprofits send news for many reasons: a new program, a fundraising goal, a large gift, a volunteer drive or a community event. Local reporters, partners and donors all read these releases.
This template fits most nonprofit news. Fill in the parts in brackets, cut what you do not need, and keep it to one page.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Organization] [launches / reaches / receives] [the news in a few words] [One line on who it helps and why it matters now] [City], [State], [Month Day, Year]: [Organization], a nonprofit that [what you do] in [area], today [announced / launched / received] [the news]. [One sentence on the result you expect or the goal.] [Who it helps and how. Give a number if you have a real one: people served, meals given, dollars raised, volunteers signed up.] [How it works. When it starts, where it happens, and how people can take part, donate or apply.] "[A short quote on why this matters to the people you serve]," said [Full name], [Job title] at [Organization]. "[One more sentence with a concrete detail.]" [If a donor, partner or grant is part of the news, name them here with their permission.] To [donate / volunteer / apply / attend], visit [web address] or call [phone number]. About [Organization] [Organization] is a [501(c)(3) / registered charity] that [mission in one sentence]. Founded in [year], it serves [who] in [area]. Learn more at [web address]. Media contact [Name] [Email address] [Phone number] ###
See real press release examples
What to put in each part
- Headline
- Start with your organization's name and a strong verb: launches, opens, reaches, receives. Keep it under 12 words. Say the news, not the mission.
- Subheadline
- One line on who benefits. This is where the human side goes.
- Lead paragraph
- Who, what, where and when, in two sentences. A reader who stops here should still know the news.
- Impact
- Real numbers only. If you do not have a number yet, describe what changes for one person or one family.
- How to take part
- Dates, places and the one action you want: donate, volunteer, apply or attend.
- Quote
- From your director or a program lead, with a full name and title. Make it say something a fact cannot.
- About section
- Your mission, the year you started and who you serve. Use the same text on every release.
Headline ideas
Pick the one closest to your news and fill in the brackets.
- [Organization] launches [program] to help [who] in [area]
- [Organization] raises [amount] for [cause], [number] days ahead of goal
- [Organization] receives [amount] grant from [funder] to expand [program]
- [Organization] calls for [number] volunteers for [event or drive]
Common mistakes
- Opening with the mission statement instead of the news.
- Thanking every sponsor in the first paragraph. Name them lower down.
- Using words like "amazing" or "life-changing" without a fact to back them up.
- Leaving out how to donate or volunteer, so interested readers have nowhere to go.
- Naming a donor or partner who has not agreed to be named.
Where to share it
- Publish it on your own website first, on a page with its own address, so you can link to it from emails and social posts.
- Send it to local newspapers, community calendars and the blogs your supporters read. A short personal note on top works better than a mass email.
- Share it with your donors, partners and volunteers. They are your most likely readers and the people most likely to pass it on.
Questions
What news can a nonprofit announce?
A new program, a fundraising goal reached, a large gift or grant, a new director, an event, a report with your own numbers, or a new partner.
How long should a nonprofit press release be?
About 300 to 500 words. One page is enough for most news.
Should we include donor names?
Only with their permission. Many donors want to be thanked, some do not.
When should we send it?
On the day of the news, or a few days before an event so people can plan to come.
More templates
The press release template page explains the format part by part, with a full sample. Other templates: