Constant Contact vs Mailchimp for Nonprofits
Two email marketing giants take different approaches: Constant Contact focuses on event management, deliverability, and hands-on support, while Mailchimp prioritizes automation, AI features, and integration breadth. Which traditional email platform aligns better with your nonprofit's needs, budget, and technical comfort level?
At a Glance Comparison
| Feature | Constant Contact | Mailchimp | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $12-80/month (no free plan); 30% off with 12-month prepay | Free-$350/month; 15% nonprofit discount on paid plans | Context-dependent |
| Ease of Use | 5/5 - Simpler interface, phone support | 4/5 - More features = steeper learning curve | Constant Contact |
| Nonprofit Discount | 30% off when prepaying 12 months; 50% off via TechSoup | 15% off all paid plans (monthly or annual) | Constant Contact |
| Integrations | Limited native integrations; relies heavily on Zapier | 300+ native integrations including deep e-commerce connections | Mailchimp |
| AI Capabilities | AI subject lines & content suggestions (Standard+); basic AI writing | Intuit Assist: AI content generator, flow automation, send-time optimization, predictive segments | Mailchimp |
| Event Management | Built-in event registration, reminders, payments | Basic event features; relies on integrations | Constant Contact |
| Customer Support | Phone, email, chat on all plans | Email only (phone on Premium $350+/month) | Constant Contact |
| Deliverability | Industry-leading inbox placement rates | Good deliverability, but slightly lower than Constant Contact | Constant Contact |
Constant Contact and Mailchimp represent two of the longest-standing names in email marketing, yet they've evolved in distinctly different directions over the past decade. Both platforms serve hundreds of thousands of nonprofits worldwide, but their philosophies diverge meaningfully: Constant Contact has doubled down on simplicity, event management, and human support, while Mailchimp (acquired by Intuit in 2021) has invested heavily in automation, AI capabilities, and integration ecosystems.
For nonprofits evaluating these two giants, the choice isn't about finding an objectively "better" platform—it's about identifying which design philosophy aligns with your organization's priorities. Do you host frequent fundraising events and value phone support when you're stuck at 9 PM before a campaign launch? Constant Contact's event-centric tools and accessible customer service might be worth the higher base price. Or do you need sophisticated donor segmentation, behavior-triggered workflows, and AI-generated content at scale? Mailchimp's automation depth and free starter tier could justify the steeper learning curve.
The pricing structures tell part of the story but not the whole picture. Mailchimp wins for getting started—its free plan supports 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly emails, while Constant Contact charges from day one. However, Constant Contact's 30% nonprofit discount (when prepaying annually) beats Mailchimp's 15% discount for committed long-term users. A nonprofit with 2,500 contacts might pay $38-51/month on Mailchimp's Essentials plan (after discount) versus $25-56/month on Constant Contact's Standard plan (with 30% off). The difference isn't dramatic, which means the decision hinges more on feature fit than pure cost savings.
This comparison examines both platforms through the lens of nonprofit priorities: deliverability rates that ensure donor emails reach inboxes, event management for galas and fundraisers, AI tools that save staff time, automation that nurtures long-term relationships, and support channels that help when technical problems threaten campaign deadlines. We'll explore where each platform excels, where they fall short, and which organizational profiles benefit most from their respective approaches. Whether you're migrating from an existing system or choosing your first email marketing tool, this guide provides the context to make an informed decision for your nonprofit's communication strategy.
What Is Constant Contact?
Founded in 1995, Constant Contact is one of the original email marketing platforms, serving over 600,000 small businesses and nonprofits globally. The platform built its reputation on being approachable for non-technical users—featuring drag-and-drop editors, pre-designed templates optimized for nonprofits, and phone support available even on basic plans. Unlike competitors that have pivoted heavily toward automation complexity, Constant Contact has maintained its focus on making email marketing accessible to organizations without dedicated marketing staff.
What distinguishes Constant Contact from other email platforms is its integrated event management functionality. Nonprofits can create event registration pages, send automated reminders, process payments through Constant Contact, and track attendee data—all within the same system used for donor newsletters and fundraising appeals. This eliminates the need to juggle separate tools for email marketing and event promotion, a workflow advantage particularly valuable for organizations that host galas, walks, volunteer orientations, or community gatherings regularly.
The platform's pricing structure is straightforward: Lite ($12/month for 500 contacts), Standard ($35/month for 500 contacts), and Premium ($80/month for 500 contacts), with costs scaling based on contact list size. There is no free tier, which positions Constant Contact as a "paid-from-day-one" solution. However, nonprofits can access a 30% discount by prepaying for 12 months, or up to 50% off through TechSoup for eligible organizations. This discount model favors nonprofits willing to commit to annual contracts rather than those testing email marketing on a trial basis.
Constant Contact Key Capabilities
- Event Management Suite: Built-in event registration pages, automated reminders, payment processing, and attendee tracking—no third-party tools required
- Phone Support on All Plans: Access to live customer support via phone, email, and chat even on the $12/month Lite tier—uncommon in the industry
- Superior Deliverability: Consistently high inbox placement rates backed by strong ISP relationships and adherence to email best practices
- Beginner-Friendly Templates: 100+ mobile-responsive templates designed for common nonprofit scenarios (fundraising appeals, volunteer recruitment, event invites)
- Basic AI Assistance: AI-powered subject line recommendations and content suggestions (available on Standard and Premium plans)
- Simple Automation Flows: Pre-built workflows for welcome series, birthday emails, resend-to-non-openers—easier to configure than advanced automation platforms
What Is Mailchimp?
Launched in 2001 as a side project by web design agency founders, Mailchimp grew into one of the world's most recognizable email marketing brands, serving over 11 million users worldwide before being acquired by Intuit for $12 billion in 2021. This acquisition accelerated Mailchimp's transformation from a simple email tool into a comprehensive marketing automation platform with deep AI integration, sophisticated segmentation, and connections to Intuit's broader ecosystem of financial and business tools.
What sets Mailchimp apart is its investment in automation intelligence and predictive analytics. The platform offers behavior-driven workflows that trigger emails based on website visits, purchase patterns, email engagement history, and demographic changes—capabilities that go far beyond basic "send email on schedule" automation. Intuit Assist (Mailchimp's AI engine) powers features like predictive segments (identifying contacts likely to convert), send-time optimization (predicting when each recipient is most likely to engage), and AI content generation that drafts subject lines and email body copy based on your brand voice and campaign history.
Mailchimp's pricing follows a freemium model: Free (500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month), Essentials ($13/month for 500 contacts), Standard ($20/month for 500 contacts), and Premium ($350/month for 10,000 contacts). Nonprofits receive a 15% discount on any paid plan, though this discount doesn't extend to add-ons like transactional email or SMS messaging. The free tier makes Mailchimp accessible for small nonprofits testing email marketing, but costs can escalate quickly as contact lists grow—particularly because Mailchimp charges for all contacts, including unsubscribed addresses, which can inflate monthly bills unnecessarily.
Mailchimp Key Capabilities
- Intuit Assist AI Platform: Generative AI for email content creation, automated flow building, subject line optimization, and send-time recommendations—significantly more advanced than Constant Contact
- Predictive Segmentation: AI-powered audience segments based on purchase likelihood, predicted demographics, engagement probability—enabling highly targeted campaigns
- Extensive Integration Ecosystem: 300+ native integrations including deep connections to e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce), CRMs, and marketing tools
- Advanced Automation Builder: Visual workflow editor supporting complex multi-branch automation based on behavior triggers, time delays, and conditional logic
- Free Tier for Small Lists: Genuine free plan (not just a trial) supporting 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month—ideal for startups and pilot programs
- Multichannel Campaigns: Coordinate email, social ads, postcards, landing pages, and SMS from one platform (though additional costs apply)
Head-to-Head Feature Comparison
Email Editor & Template Design
How easy is it to create professional-looking emails?
Constant Contact
Constant Contact's drag-and-drop editor prioritizes simplicity over flexibility. The platform offers 100+ mobile-responsive templates specifically designed for nonprofit scenarios—fundraising appeals, event invitations, volunteer recruitment, donor thank-yous. Templates are organized by purpose rather than industry, making it easy to find a starting point without scrolling through irrelevant designs. The editor uses a structured block system (header, body sections, footer) that prevents layout breaks but limits creative freedom compared to more flexible builders.
Customization options include color schemes, fonts, button styles, and image placement, but advanced users may find the editor restrictive. There's no custom HTML editing on Lite or Standard plans (Premium only), and dynamic content blocks that change based on recipient data are limited compared to Mailchimp. However, this simplicity means volunteers or staff without design backgrounds can create polished emails in 15-20 minutes—a significant advantage for resource-constrained nonprofits.
- Purpose-organized templates (fundraising, events, newsletters) save search time
- Structured editor prevents layout errors but limits design flexibility
- Fast learning curve—new users create professional emails in under 20 minutes
- Limited dynamic content and personalization compared to Mailchimp
- No custom HTML editing except on Premium plan
Mailchimp
Mailchimp's email builder offers more creative control with its flexible drag-and-drop editor that supports custom layouts, multi-column designs, and advanced styling options. The platform provides 100+ free templates plus access to a paid template marketplace, though templates aren't specifically categorized for nonprofits—users must adapt e-commerce or business-focused designs to their cause. Mailchimp's dynamic content blocks allow you to show different content to different segments within a single campaign (e.g., different appeals to monthly donors vs. one-time givers), a powerful personalization feature unavailable in Constant Contact's lower tiers.
The editor supports custom HTML on all paid plans, giving technically savvy users full control over design and functionality. Mailchimp also offers a classic plain-text editor and a code-your-own option for maximum flexibility. However, this flexibility comes with complexity—new users often struggle with layout alignment, responsive design issues, and the sheer number of customization options. Mailchimp's learning curve is steeper, though the platform offsets this with extensive documentation, video tutorials, and AI assistance through Intuit Assist.
- Flexible editor with custom HTML support on all paid plans
- Dynamic content blocks enable sophisticated personalization within single campaigns
- AI content generation (Intuit Assist) drafts subject lines and body copy
- Steeper learning curve—more customization options create decision fatigue
- Templates not specifically designed for nonprofit use cases
Verdict: Constant Contact for simplicity, Mailchimp for power users
Choose Constant Contact if you prioritize speed and simplicity—volunteers can create professional emails without training. Choose Mailchimp if you need advanced personalization and have staff comfortable with more complex tools.
Automation & Workflow Capabilities
Building automated email sequences to nurture donors and volunteers
Constant Contact
Constant Contact's automation is built around pre-configured workflows designed for common scenarios: welcome series for new subscribers, birthday/anniversary emails, resend campaigns to non-openers, and post-purchase follow-ups. The Lite plan includes one ready-to-go welcome automation, Standard offers three automation flows, and Premium provides unlimited automation. These workflows are straightforward to set up—select a trigger, choose templates, set timing—but lack the conditional logic and multi-branch paths found in more sophisticated automation platforms.
For nonprofits new to automation, this simplicity is valuable. You can launch a welcome series that introduces new subscribers to your mission, highlights impact stories, and concludes with a donation ask—all within 15 minutes of configuration. However, complex nurture sequences (e.g., "if donor gives $100+, send stewardship path A; if under $100, send path B; if no response in 30 days, move to re-engagement campaign") require workarounds or aren't possible at all. Constant Contact's automation works best for linear, time-based sequences rather than behavior-driven conditional flows.
- Pre-built templates for welcome series, birthdays, re-engagement—quick setup
- Resend-to-non-openers automation increases open rates with minimal effort
- Simple time-based triggers (date added, birthday, anniversary)
- Limited conditional logic and branching paths in workflows
- No behavior-based triggers (website visit, link click, purchase activity)
Mailchimp
Mailchimp's Customer Journey Builder (available on Standard and Premium plans) enables sophisticated automation with behavior-based triggers, conditional branching, time delays, A/B testing within flows, and actions across multiple channels (email, SMS, ads). You can build workflows that respond to website activity tracked via Mailchimp's JavaScript pixel, purchase behavior from integrated e-commerce platforms, email engagement patterns, and custom events sent through API integrations. This depth supports complex donor stewardship programs that adjust messaging based on giving history, event attendance, volunteer participation, and content engagement.
Intuit Assist accelerates automation setup by generating complete workflows from prompts like "create a donor welcome series" or "build a lapsed donor re-engagement campaign." The AI analyzes your previous campaigns, applies your brand voice, and produces a multi-email sequence ready for customization. Mailchimp also offers predictive segments that automatically identify high-value contacts, contacts likely to unsubscribe, or contacts most likely to engage—enabling proactive outreach before donors lapse. However, this power requires investment in learning: setting up advanced automation takes hours of experimentation, and misconfigurations can lead to donors receiving incorrect messaging or being stuck in workflow loops.
- Behavior-based triggers: website visits, link clicks, purchase activity, API events
- Conditional branching creates different paths based on donor actions and attributes
- Intuit Assist AI generates complete automation workflows from text prompts
- Predictive segments automatically identify high-value or at-risk contacts
- Steep learning curve—complex workflows require significant setup time and testing
Verdict: Mailchimp dominates for automation sophistication
Mailchimp's automation capabilities are significantly more advanced. Choose Constant Contact if you only need basic time-triggered sequences; choose Mailchimp if donor stewardship requires behavior-driven, multi-path nurture campaigns.
Event Management & Registration
Tools for promoting and managing fundraising events, galas, volunteer orientations
Constant Contact
Event management is Constant Contact's standout differentiator. The platform includes built-in tools to create event registration pages, collect attendee information, process ticket payments, send automated reminders leading up to the event, and track registrations in real-time—all without leaving the platform or paying for additional integrations. Event registration pages are mobile-responsive and customizable with your branding, event details, ticket tiers (free, paid, VIP), and custom registration fields (dietary restrictions, accessibility needs, t-shirt sizes).
The event workflow integrates seamlessly with email campaigns: you can segment your contact list to target previous attendees, send save-the-date announcements, automate reminder emails at 2 weeks, 1 week, and 1 day before the event, and follow up with thank-you messages and post-event surveys. Constant Contact charges a small payment processing fee (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) for paid events but doesn't add platform fees on top of this—making it cost-effective for fundraising galas, ticketed workshops, or donor appreciation dinners. For nonprofits hosting 4+ events per year, this integrated functionality can eliminate the need for separate tools like Eventbrite (which charges 3.7% + $1.79 per ticket).
- Native event registration pages with ticket sales—no Eventbrite needed
- Automated event reminder emails (customizable timing and content)
- Lower payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30) than dedicated event platforms
- Real-time registration tracking and attendee management dashboard
- Seamless integration between event promotion emails and registration data
Mailchimp
Mailchimp offers basic event functionality but relies heavily on integrations with external platforms like Eventbrite, Facebook Events, or Zoom. You can create event campaigns and send invitations through Mailchimp, but registration, ticketing, and attendee management happen through connected third-party tools. Mailchimp's Eventbrite integration syncs attendee data back to your Mailchimp audience, allowing you to segment and target event registrants, but this requires setting up and managing an additional platform with its own fees and learning curve.
For nonprofits that already use Eventbrite or prefer specialized event platforms, Mailchimp's integration approach works well—you leverage best-in-class event tools while keeping email marketing centralized. However, for organizations seeking an all-in-one solution where event promotion and registration live in the same system, Mailchimp falls short compared to Constant Contact. The lack of native event management means you'll pay both Mailchimp subscription fees and Eventbrite's per-ticket charges (3.7% + $1.79), increasing total costs for organizations hosting frequent fundraising events.
- Integrates with Eventbrite, Facebook Events, Zoom for event promotion
- Syncs attendee data back to Mailchimp for segmentation and follow-up
- No native registration pages or ticket sales—requires third-party tools
- Higher total costs (Mailchimp + Eventbrite fees) for ticketed events
- Requires managing multiple platforms (Mailchimp + event tool) instead of one
Verdict: Constant Contact wins decisively for event-driven nonprofits
If your nonprofit hosts galas, walks, volunteer events, or community gatherings regularly, Constant Contact's integrated event management saves time and money by eliminating the need for separate registration platforms.
Segmentation & Personalization
Targeting specific donor groups with tailored messaging
Constant Contact
Constant Contact's segmentation is functional but basic compared to Mailchimp. You can create segments based on contact tags, email engagement (opens, clicks), signup date, location, and custom contact fields you define (donation amount, volunteer status, program interest). The platform supports combining multiple criteria with AND/OR logic to create targeted groups—for example, "donors who gave in 2025 AND opened at least 3 emails in the past month." Once segments are created, you can save them for reuse across campaigns or use them as triggers for automation workflows.
However, Constant Contact lacks predictive segmentation or AI-driven audience insights. You can't automatically identify "contacts likely to become monthly donors" or "volunteers at risk of disengagement" without manually defining rules based on historical data. Personalization options are similarly limited: you can insert merge fields for first name, organization, custom fields, but dynamic content blocks that show different images or paragraphs based on segment membership require upgrading to Premium. For most small-to-midsize nonprofits, these basic segmentation tools suffice for common use cases (targeting major donors, recent volunteers, event attendees), but sophisticated donor stewardship programs may outgrow the platform's capabilities.
- Tag-based segmentation with AND/OR logic for combining criteria
- Engagement-based filters (opened, clicked, donated) for targeting active supporters
- Custom fields allow tracking donation amounts, volunteer hours, program participation
- No predictive segments or AI-driven audience recommendations
- Dynamic content blocks only available on Premium plan
Mailchimp
Mailchimp excels at segmentation with both manual and AI-powered options. Standard and Premium plans include predictive demographics (AI estimates age, gender, location even when not explicitly provided), purchase likelihood scoring (identifies contacts most likely to donate based on past behavior), and customer lifetime value predictions. These predictive segments update automatically as new data comes in, enabling dynamic targeting without constant manual adjustments. You can also segment based on campaign activity across multiple channels (email opens, website visits tracked by Mailchimp pixel, social ad clicks, SMS responses), creating sophisticated multi-touchpoint audience definitions.
Mailchimp's dynamic content blocks allow showing different content to different segments within a single campaign—for example, displaying different impact stories to education-focused donors versus health-focused donors, or varying donation ask amounts based on previous giving history. The platform also offers advanced personalization through merge tags, conditional merge tag logic (show content only if field exists), and product recommendations for e-commerce-integrated nonprofits (e.g., suggesting specific merchandise based on purchase history). This depth supports highly targeted stewardship programs, though it requires investing time in setting up tracking pixels, integrating donation platforms, and defining custom audiences.
- Predictive demographics and purchase likelihood scoring powered by AI
- Behavioral segmentation based on website visits, email engagement, ad clicks
- Dynamic content blocks show different content to different segments in one email
- Automatic segment updates as contact behavior and data change
- Complexity can be overwhelming—requires setup time and data hygiene discipline
Verdict: Mailchimp offers substantially more sophisticated segmentation
Constant Contact's basic segmentation handles most nonprofit needs, but Mailchimp's predictive segments and dynamic content enable advanced donor stewardship that adjusts messaging based on behavior and likelihood to engage.
Reporting & Analytics
Understanding campaign performance and donor engagement
Constant Contact
Constant Contact provides straightforward reporting that covers the essentials: open rates, click-through rates, bounces, unsubscribes, forwards/shares, and geographic data showing where contacts are located. Campaign reports display a timeline of opens and clicks, top links clicked, and device/email client breakdowns (desktop vs. mobile, Gmail vs. Outlook). These metrics are presented in easy-to-read dashboards that don't require analytics expertise to interpret—ideal for executive directors or board members reviewing performance during meetings.
However, Constant Contact's analytics lack depth in attribution and revenue tracking. While you can see who clicked a donation link, the platform doesn't connect email campaigns to actual donation amounts unless you manually integrate with your CRM and build custom reports. There's no built-in ROI calculation, customer journey visualization, or multi-touch attribution showing how email interacts with other channels (social, website, direct mail). For nonprofits focused on basic performance metrics—"Did this appeal drive more opens than last month?"—Constant Contact delivers. For organizations needing to prove email's contribution to overall fundraising revenue, you'll need to export data and analyze it externally.
- Clear, beginner-friendly dashboards showing core metrics (opens, clicks, bounces)
- Geographic and device/client breakdowns help optimize send times and design
- Timeline views show engagement patterns throughout the campaign lifecycle
- No revenue or ROI tracking—can't directly attribute donations to campaigns
- Limited advanced analytics (cohort analysis, customer journey, multi-touch attribution)
Mailchimp
Mailchimp's analytics go several layers deeper with comparative reporting (how this campaign performed vs. your average), click maps showing exactly where in the email people clicked, 24-hour performance tracking, and industry benchmark comparisons (how your open rates compare to other nonprofits). Standard and Premium plans add revenue reporting that tracks e-commerce transactions back to specific campaigns, automation workflows, or customer journeys—enabling true ROI calculations for fundraising appeals. You can see not just who clicked, but who donated and how much, connecting email performance directly to fundraising outcomes.
Premium plans include advanced features like multivariate testing (test subject line, content, and send time simultaneously), custom reports, and role-based access for team collaboration on analytics. Mailchimp also offers customer journey analytics that visualize how contacts move through automation workflows, where they drop off, and which paths convert best. However, this analytical depth requires technical comfort—interpreting multivariate test results, setting up e-commerce tracking correctly, and building custom reports demands more expertise than Constant Contact's straightforward dashboards. For data-driven nonprofits with dedicated marketing staff, Mailchimp's analytics justify the learning investment.
- Revenue tracking connects campaigns to actual donations and calculates ROI
- Comparative reporting and industry benchmarks provide context for performance
- Customer journey analytics show how contacts move through automation funnels
- Click maps and 24-hour tracking enable rapid optimization during campaigns
- Analytical complexity requires technical expertise to interpret and act on insights
Verdict: Mailchimp for data-driven organizations, Constant Contact for simplicity
Choose Mailchimp if you need to prove email's ROI and have staff to interpret advanced analytics. Choose Constant Contact if straightforward open/click metrics meet your reporting needs without complexity.
Pricing Breakdown: What You'll Actually Pay
Both platforms use contact-based pricing where costs increase as your email list grows, but their approaches differ significantly. Constant Contact charges from day one with no free tier, while Mailchimp offers a genuinely free plan that supports small nonprofits indefinitely. Understanding the true cost requires looking beyond advertised rates to include nonprofit discounts, feature requirements, and hidden fees that can inflate bills unexpectedly.
Constant Contact Pricing
Lite Plan ($12/month for 500 contacts)
- Email marketing basics, templates, one automation flow
- Phone, email, and chat support
- Basic reporting and list segmentation
Standard Plan ($35/month for 500 contacts)
- Everything in Lite + three automation flows
- AI subject line suggestions and content recommendations
- A/B testing, dynamic content (limited), resend to non-openers
Premium Plan ($80/month for 500 contacts)
- Everything in Standard + unlimited automation
- Custom HTML editing, SEO tools, social ads
- Google Ads integration, polling, surveys
Nonprofit Discount
30% off when prepaying 12 months; up to 50% off via TechSoup for eligible nonprofits
Mailchimp Pricing
Free Plan (500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month)
- Email campaigns, basic templates, one audience
- Email support only (no chat or phone)
- Mailchimp branding on emails
Essentials Plan ($13/month for 500 contacts)
- Everything in Free + remove Mailchimp branding
- A/B testing, scheduling, 24/7 email and chat support
- 300+ integrations, custom branding
Standard Plan ($20/month for 500 contacts)
- Everything in Essentials + automation, retargeting ads
- Intuit Assist AI features, predictive segments
- Dynamic content, send-time optimization
Premium Plan ($350/month for 10,000 contacts)
- Everything in Standard + phone support
- Multivariate testing, advanced segmentation, comparative reporting
- Unlimited seats, priority support
Nonprofit Discount
15% off all paid plans (monthly or annual); does not apply to add-ons or transactional email
Realistic Cost Examples
Small Nonprofit (2,500 contacts)
Constant Contact Standard:
$80/month list price → $56/month with 30% discount = $672/year
Mailchimp Standard:
$60/month list price → $51/month with 15% discount = $612/year
Medium Nonprofit (10,000 contacts)
Constant Contact Standard:
$155/month list price → $108.50/month with 30% discount = $1,302/year
Mailchimp Standard:
$175/month list price → $148.75/month with 15% discount = $1,785/year
Key Insight: For committed users (12-month contracts), Constant Contact's 30% discount makes it more affordable than Mailchimp at most list sizes. However, Mailchimp's free tier is unbeatable for small lists under 500 contacts, and its Standard plan offers significantly more features for a comparable price.
Nonprofit Discounts & Special Pricing
Both platforms recognize nonprofits' budget constraints and offer discounts, though the structures and application processes differ. Understanding how to access these savings—and what limitations apply—can save your organization hundreds to thousands of dollars annually.
Constant Contact Nonprofit Pricing
Direct Nonprofit Discount: 30% Off
Available when you prepay for 12 months upfront. Contact Constant Contact sales to verify nonprofit status (requires proof of 501(c)(3) or equivalent) and receive a custom quote with the discount applied. This reduces Standard plan pricing from $80/month to $56/month for 2,500 contacts.
TechSoup Discount: Up to 50% Off
Eligible nonprofits can access even deeper discounts through TechSoup, a technology donation program. Requirements include 501(c)(3) status, operating on a not-for-profit basis, and not being a government entity or school. The TechSoup discount can reach 50% off list pricing, making Constant Contact significantly more affordable for qualified organizations.
How to Apply
- Contact Constant Contact sales team directly for 30% discount
- Visit TechSoup.org and verify your nonprofit eligibility for up to 50% off
- Discount applies to annual prepay only (not monthly billing)
Mailchimp Nonprofit Pricing
Nonprofit Discount: 15% Off
Available on all paid plans (Essentials, Standard, Premium) for verified nonprofits. Apply through Mailchimp's nonprofit discount program by submitting proof of 501(c)(3) status or international equivalent. The discount applies to monthly or annual billing, providing flexibility compared to Constant Contact's annual-only discount.
Important Limitations
The 15% nonprofit discount does NOT apply to add-ons, transactional email services, SMS messaging, or purchases made through third-party app stores. This means if you use Mailchimp's additional services beyond standard email marketing, you'll pay full price for those features. Also, you're charged for ALL contacts in your list, including unsubscribed addresses, which can inflate costs unnecessarily.
How to Apply
- Submit nonprofit application through Mailchimp account settings
- Provide proof of 501(c)(3) or international nonprofit status
- Discount applied automatically after verification (1-3 business days)
Ease of Use & Learning Curve
For nonprofits without dedicated marketing staff, ease of use directly impacts whether email campaigns actually get sent or languish in draft mode. Constant Contact and Mailchimp take different philosophical approaches: Constant Contact prioritizes simplicity and hand-holding, while Mailchimp offers more power at the cost of complexity. The right choice depends on your team's technical comfort and willingness to invest time in learning.
5/5Constant Contact: Simplicity First
Constant Contact is designed for users who want to send professional emails without becoming email marketing experts. The interface uses clear labels, guided workflows, and limited options that prevent decision paralysis. New users can create and send their first campaign in 20-30 minutes, including selecting a template, adding content, choosing recipients, and scheduling delivery.
- Phone support on all plans—call when stuck rather than searching documentation
- Step-by-step campaign builder guides you through each decision
- Templates pre-configured for nonprofit scenarios reduce customization needs
- Limited feature set means less to learn and master
4/5Mailchimp: Power with Complexity
Mailchimp's interface has improved significantly since its acquisition by Intuit, but the platform's breadth of features creates a steeper learning curve. Navigation spans multiple sections (Campaigns, Automations, Audience, Content Studio, Analytics), and finding specific settings requires familiarity with Mailchimp's organizational logic. However, once learned, the platform enables sophisticated campaigns that would be impossible in simpler tools.
- Extensive documentation, video tutorials, and community forums
- Intuit Assist AI helps with content creation and workflow setup
- Phone support only on Premium plan ($350/month minimum)
- More customization options = more decisions = slower initial campaigns
Learning Time Investment
Constant Contact
- First campaign: 20-30 minutes
- Proficiency (5-10 campaigns): 2-3 hours total
- Advanced features: 3-5 hours additional
Mailchimp
- First campaign: 45-60 minutes (exploring interface)
- Proficiency (5-10 campaigns): 5-8 hours total
- Advanced features (automation, AI): 10-15 hours additional
Integration & Compatibility
Email marketing doesn't exist in isolation—it needs to connect with donation platforms, CRMs, event tools, social media, and analytics systems. The depth and quality of integrations determine whether you're manually exporting/importing data between systems or enjoying automated workflows where information flows seamlessly across your technology stack.
Constant Contact Integrations
Constant Contact offers native integrations with select popular platforms: Shopify, WordPress, Facebook, Canva, Salesforce, and QuickBooks. However, the integration library is significantly smaller than Mailchimp's, requiring heavier reliance on Zapier for connecting to most nonprofit tools (donation platforms, volunteer management, event software). While Zapier makes almost any connection possible, it adds another subscription cost ($20-50/month for most nonprofit needs) and introduces a third-party dependency that can complicate troubleshooting.
Key Native Integrations:
- Salesforce (CRM data syncing)
- Shopify, WooCommerce (e-commerce)
- Facebook, Instagram (social media)
- WordPress, Wix (website builders)
- Canva (design tool)
Mailchimp Integrations
Mailchimp's 300+ native integrations cover CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho), e-commerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento), payment processors (Stripe, Square, PayPal), social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), analytics (Google Analytics), accounting (QuickBooks, Xero), and nonprofit-specific tools (Donorbox, Kindful, Network for Good). This breadth means most nonprofit workflows can be automated without paying for Zapier, reducing both cost and complexity.
Key Native Integrations (Sample):
- Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho (CRM)
- Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce (e-commerce)
- Donorbox, Kindful, Network for Good (donations)
- Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel (tracking)
- Eventbrite, Zoom (events and webinars)
Integration Verdict
Mailchimp wins significantly on integration breadth and depth. For nonprofits with complex technology stacks requiring connections to donation platforms, volunteer management systems, event tools, and social media, Mailchimp's native integrations eliminate the need for middleware like Zapier. Constant Contact works fine for simpler setups but requires Zapier for most nonprofit-specific workflows.
Note: Both platforms offer API access for custom integrations if you have development resources.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
The decision between Constant Contact and Mailchimp hinges on three primary factors: technical comfort level, event frequency, and automation complexity needs. Neither platform is objectively "better"—they excel in different contexts. Use this decision framework to identify which aligns with your nonprofit's priorities and constraints.
Choose Constant Contact If...
- 1.You host 4+ events per year (galas, walks, volunteer orientations, community gatherings) and want integrated event registration, payment processing, and automated reminders without paying for separate tools like Eventbrite.
- 2.Phone support is essential for your team—you value being able to call when stuck at 9 PM before a campaign launch rather than relying on email-only support or community forums.
- 3.Simplicity trumps sophistication—your staff or volunteers need to create professional emails in 20 minutes without extensive training, and you don't need complex multi-branch automation workflows.
- 4.Deliverability is your top priority—inbox placement directly impacts fundraising outcomes, and Constant Contact's industry-leading deliverability rates justify the investment.
- 5.You're willing to commit to annual contracts for the 30% nonprofit discount, making Constant Contact more affordable than Mailchimp in the long run (especially with TechSoup's 50% discount).
Choose Mailchimp If...
- 1.You need sophisticated automation with behavior-based triggers (website visits, donation patterns, email engagement) and conditional branching that creates different nurture paths for different donor segments.
- 2.Your contact list is small or just starting—Mailchimp's free plan (500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month) lets you build momentum without upfront costs, while Constant Contact charges from day one.
- 3.AI features will save significant staff time—Intuit Assist's content generation, predictive segments, send-time optimization, and automated flow creation justify the learning investment.
- 4.Integration ecosystem is critical—you need native connections to donation platforms, volunteer management, social media, analytics, and e-commerce without paying for Zapier middleware.
- 5.You have dedicated marketing staff comfortable investing 10-15 hours to master advanced features and willing to troubleshoot through documentation rather than phone support.
Hybrid or Alternative Scenarios
Consider Both Platforms If:
- You need event management AND sophisticated automation—use Constant Contact for events, Mailchimp for donor nurture campaigns (though this adds complexity)
- Your organization has multiple programs with different communication needs—segment by complexity
Consider Neither Platform If:
- You need fundraising-specific features like donor pipelines, recurring donor management, or major gift tracking—consider HubSpot or nonprofit CRMs
- You send extremely high volumes (100K+ contacts)—explore enterprise platforms with dedicated deliverability management
- Budget is near zero and 500 contacts isn't enough—consider MailerLite or Brevo with more generous free tiers
Getting Started with Your Choice
Once you've chosen between Constant Contact and Mailchimp, following a structured onboarding process ensures you extract maximum value from the platform rather than underutilizing features you're paying for. These implementation steps apply whether you're starting fresh or migrating from another email tool.
Constant Contact Setup (2-4 weeks)
Week 1: Foundation
- Sign up for plan (use TechSoup for 50% discount if eligible)
- Import contact list via CSV (clean data first—remove duplicates, fix formatting)
- Add brand assets (logo, colors, fonts) to account settings
- Create initial contact segments (donors, volunteers, newsletter subscribers)
Week 2: First Campaigns
- Send re-engagement email to confirm subscribers want to stay on list (required by best practices)
- Create welcome automation for new subscribers (use pre-built template)
- Design 1-2 template variations for recurring campaigns (newsletter, donation appeal)
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Setup
- Set up event registration for upcoming fundraiser or program (if applicable)
- Configure integrations (Facebook, Salesforce, etc.) if needed
- Train additional staff on campaign creation and reporting
Mailchimp Setup (4-6 weeks)
Weeks 1-2: Foundation
- Start with free plan, upgrade to Standard when ready (apply nonprofit discount during upgrade)
- Import and clean contact list—remove unsubscribed contacts to avoid unnecessary charges
- Set up audience fields (donation amount, volunteer status, program interest) for segmentation
- Install Mailchimp tracking pixel on website for behavior-based automation triggers
Weeks 3-4: Campaigns & Automation
- Send re-engagement campaign to verify subscriber interest
- Create welcome automation using Intuit Assist to generate initial flow
- Design email templates with dynamic content for major donor vs. general supporter segments
Weeks 5-6: Advanced Features
- Connect integrations (donation platform, CRM, social media) for automated data syncing
- Set up predictive segments for high-value donors and at-risk supporters
- Configure revenue tracking to measure fundraising campaign ROI
Migration Tips (If Switching Platforms)
- Export everything before canceling: Contact lists, email templates, automation workflows (you'll need to recreate automations manually), and campaign analytics for historical reference.
- Test deliverability with new provider: Send to small segment first (100-500 contacts) to verify inbox placement before migrating entire list—switching providers can temporarily impact deliverability.
- Run parallel for 30 days: Keep old platform active during transition to ensure no campaigns are missed and to compare performance between systems.
- Communicate the change: Send re-engagement email from new platform asking subscribers to confirm—this maintains list hygiene and complies with anti-spam regulations.
Need Help Choosing the Right Email Platform?
Selecting between Constant Contact and Mailchimp depends on your nonprofit's specific needs, technical capacity, and strategic priorities. We help organizations evaluate email marketing platforms, set up integrations, and design donor communication strategies that drive engagement and fundraising results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper for nonprofits: Constant Contact or Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is cheaper upfront with a free plan for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month, while Constant Contact has no free tier and starts at $12/month. However, for long-term committed users, Constant Contact's 30% nonprofit discount (when prepaying 12 months) beats Mailchimp's 15% discount. For a 2,500-contact list: Constant Contact costs ~$25-56/month with discount vs Mailchimp's ~$38-51/month with discount.
Does Constant Contact or Mailchimp have better AI features?
Mailchimp has significantly more advanced AI capabilities through Intuit Assist, including AI content generation, automated flow creation, send-time optimization, predictive segments, and behavior-driven automation. Constant Contact offers basic AI subject line suggestions and content recommendations (on Standard+ plans) but lacks the comprehensive AI features found in Mailchimp.
Which platform is better for nonprofit event management?
Constant Contact is better for event management with built-in tools for event registration, reminders, payment processing, and attendee tracking—all without requiring third-party integrations. Mailchimp has basic event features but relies more heavily on integrations with external event platforms like Eventbrite. For nonprofits that frequently host fundraising events, galas, or community gatherings, Constant Contact's native event functionality is superior.
Can I get customer support with both platforms?
Constant Contact provides phone support on all plans, including the basic $12/month Lite tier, plus email and chat support. Mailchimp offers email support on all paid plans, but phone support is only available on Premium plans ($350/month for 10,000 contacts). For nonprofits that need hands-on guidance, Constant Contact's accessible phone support is a major advantage.
Which has better email deliverability?
Constant Contact consistently ranks higher in email deliverability studies, with stronger inbox placement rates and better relationships with internet service providers (ISPs). While both platforms maintain good deliverability overall, Constant Contact's focus on deliverability and adherence to best practices gives it an edge for ensuring your nonprofit's emails reach donors' inboxes rather than spam folders.
Can I switch from Mailchimp to Constant Contact (or vice versa)?
Yes, both platforms support contact list imports via CSV files. You can export your contacts from one platform and import them into the other, though you'll need to rebuild email templates, automation workflows, and segments from scratch. Plan for 1-2 weeks to migrate completely, including testing deliverability with your new provider and re-engaging subscribers to confirm their interest.