Learn how to structure your automated emails for DIY campaigns.
These examples show how you can build a journey that motivates supporters from registration to celebration, using a mix of time based and amount raised triggers.
Why create a DIY email journey
DIY fundraisers start and finish their activities on their own timeline - whether it’s a run, bake sale, skydive, or stream.
Using DIY email, you can keep your supporters inspired without the need for manual follow ups.
With DIY Email Journeys, you can easily:
Welcome and thank supporters as soon as they register
Nudge unclaimed fundraisers to activate their page
Encourage first donations
Celebrate milestones and achievements
Keep momentum going after the event ends
Each message can use GivePanel’s triggers and conditions - for example:
“7 days after registration” or “amount raised is more than £100.”
Example DIY Email Journey
Below is an example sequence you can adapt for your own campaign.
1. Welcome and Get Started
Trigger: 1 day after registration
Condition: None
Purpose: Welcome the supporter and help them take their first steps.
Ideas to include:
Thank them for joining and explain their impact
Link to your fundraising guide or toolkit
Encourage them to personalise their fundraising page (photo, story, first post)
Share key contact details or how to get help
2. Claim or Activate Your Fundraiser
Trigger: 1 day after registration
Condition: Fundraiser claim status = Not Claimed
Purpose: Remind them to connect or activate their fundraising page.
Ideas to include:
Explain how to connect their JustGiving or Facebook page
Re send their personal claim link
Highlight how activating their page lets them personalise their fundraising page
3. No Donations Yet
Trigger: 7 days after registration
Condition: Amount raised = £0
Purpose: Encourage that first donation and spark activity.
Ideas to include:
Suggest making a small self donation (“kick-start your page”)
Remind them to share their page on social media
Offer two or three quick fundraising tips
4. First Milestone – Fundraising Off the Mark
Trigger: 7 days after registration
Condition: Amount raised > £1
Purpose: Celebrate their first donation.
Ideas to include:
Thank them and recognise their progress
Encourage them to share an update or photo
Remind them how every donation helps
5. Mid-Journey Check-In
Trigger: 14 days after registration
Condition: Amount raised = £0
Purpose: Re-engage fundraisers who haven’t yet received donations.
Ideas to include:
Offer help or fundraising materials
Share stories or examples from other supporters
Re-share their fundraiser link and social handles
6. Good Luck Message
Trigger: 1 day before the supporter’s event start date
Condition: Amount raised > £1
Purpose: Send a warm, motivational note before their big day.
Ideas to include:
Thank them and remind them of their impact
Encourage last minute sharing for final donations
Add a friendly, personal tone - “We’re cheering you on!”
7. Post Event Thank You
Trigger: 1 day after the supporter’s event end date
Condition: Amount raised > £1
Purpose: Celebrate and thank them for completing their fundraiser.
Ideas to include:
Ask how it went - invite photos or stories
Share next steps for handling donations
Reiterate the difference they’ve made
8. Post Event (No Donations)
Trigger: 1 day after the supporter’s event end date
Condition: Amount raised = £0
Purpose: Gently check in and offer next steps.
Ideas to include:
Ask if they received cash donations offline
Share instructions for adding offline amounts or donating directly
Thank them for their effort regardless of total raised
9. Milestone Celebrations (Optional)
Use amount-raised triggers to recognise key moments, such as:
£50 raised - “You’re off to a great start!”
£100 raised - “That’s enough to fund X…”
£300 raised - “You’ve helped make a huge impact!”
Keep these messages short, upbeat, and impact-focused - they’re great opportunities to surprise and delight supporters mid-journey.
Tips for building your journey
Start simple - 5 - 10 emails are enough to launch (you can come back and add more at a later date)
Blend timed and amount based triggers
Use merge tags for names, events, and fundraising links
Keep language warm, positive, and concise
Review open and click rates to refine future campaigns
Learn more
For setup instructions and trigger options, see:
Creating Your Email Journey for DIY Campaigns