Donor emails, event invitations, and program updates often need more sophistication than a basic send-to-everyone blast, personalized automation, tested subject lines, and role-based access as more staff get involved. Mailchimp is one of the most established email platforms, with generative AI tools and automation depth that scale from a small list to a large one.
What Mailchimp does
Mailchimp is an email marketing platform offering campaign creation, automation, and audience segmentation, with pricing based on contact count. It includes generative AI tools for drafting content and a free tier for organizations just starting out.
Key features
- Automation flows: from 4 steps on Essentials up to 200 on Standard, letting you build increasingly sophisticated donor journeys.
- Generative AI tools: draft email copy and content faster (Standard plan and above).
- A/B testing: test subject lines or content to improve open and click rates (Essentials plan and above).
- Role-based access: control what different staff members can see or edit as your team grows (Standard plan, 5 role levels).
- Popup forms: collect email signups directly from your website (Essentials plan and above).
- Dedicated onboarding: personalized setup support included starting on the Standard plan.
Pricing
Mailchimp prices by contact count, with a discount for lists over 10,000 contacts.
| Plan | Price | Seats | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 (up to 250 contacts) | 1 | Testing basic campaigns with a very small list |
| Essentials | $13/month | 3 | A small donor list needing scheduling and basic automation |
| Standard | $20/month | 5 | A growing list needing AI tools and up to 200 automation flows |
| Premium | $350/month | Unlimited | A large organization needing phone support and dedicated onboarding |
Prices shown reflect entry-level contact tiers; cost increases as your list grows, and a 15% discount applies to lists over 10,000 contacts. A 14-day free trial is available on paid plans. Confirm current pricing for your specific contact count directly with Mailchimp, since rates scale with list size.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Well-established platform with extensive template and integration support | Premium plan’s jump to $350/month is a large leap from Standard |
| Generative AI tools speed up content drafting for smaller comms teams | Automation flow limits on Essentials are restrictive for complex donor journeys |
| Free tier available for organizations just starting to build a list | Pricing scales with contact count, so cost grows as your list does |
Who it’s for
Mailchimp fits impact organizations with a growing donor or subscriber list that want established, well-documented email marketing tools with room to add more sophisticated automation over time.
Who should skip it
If your list is small and price-sensitive, comparing Mailchimp’s tier pricing against a lower-cost subscriber-based platform is worth doing before committing.
How to get started
Start on Mailchimp’s free plan with your current list, and test one automation flow before upgrading to Essentials or Standard as your needs grow.
FAQ
Does Mailchimp offer a free plan?
Yes, for up to 250 contacts with a limited number of monthly sends and basic campaign features.
Can I control what different staff members can access in Mailchimp?
Yes, role-based access with 5 permission levels is available starting on the Standard plan.
Does Mailchimp offer a discount for large donor lists?
Yes. A 15% discount applies to lists with 10,000 or more contacts across paid plans.
Disclosure: Impact DOTS may earn a commission if you sign up for Mailchimp through the links in this article. This does not change what you pay, and it does not influence which tools we choose to cover.
