88% Engage with Donor Communications
EXPORT, PENNSYLVANIA (June 2, 2026) — Most evangelicals are not overwhelmed by emails from ministries and charities but instead read them, according to a new report from Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research, You’ve Got Mail! Evangelicals and Donor Email.
The study found evangelicals receive an average of just 5.8 ministry or nonprofit emails per week, with nearly half (47%) saying they receive none at all in a typical week. Even among active donors, who gave financially within the past year, the average was only 8.8 emails per week.
The findings challenge the common belief that ministry supporters are inundated with digital communication and suggest many Christian nonprofits may be underestimating their audience’s willingness to engage—with the right content.
“Christian organizations often fear they are sending too many emails and driving supporters away,” said Ron Sellers, president at Grey Matter Research. “But the data shows most evangelicals are not overloaded, and most are still engaging with the messages they receive. The problem is not the volume, but the lack of relevant or engaging content.”
The research also found that most donors (88%) continue interacting with ministry emails rather than avoiding them:
- 42% read emails from organizations they support when they receive them
- 30% skim messages to see if something is worth reading
- 16% save them to review later
- Only 12% typically delete them without reading or skimming
In addition, nearly three out of four evangelicals (73%) say they do not block, unsubscribe from, or send to spam emails from organizations they support.
The study identified key reasons supporters disengage from ministry email—many of which organizations can address through better communication strategies.
“On average, donors say only about half of the email they receive from organizations they support is worthwhile, while the other half is a waste of their time. Supporters want relationship-driven communication, not just fundraising appeals,” said Mark Dreistadt, president and CEO of Infinity Concepts. “Organizations that balance inspiration, ministry impact, and donor care alongside financial requests tend to see stronger long-term engagement.”
To explore the complete findings, download You’ve Got Mail! Evangelicals and Donor Email.