Donor lists age quickly; re-engagement and sunset policies protect reputation.
What dedicated IP addresses are#
A dedicated IP is used only by your mail; a shared IP pool is used by many senders on the same platform. Dedicated IPs give control over reputation but require volume and warm-up; shared pools borrow the platform's reputation.
Why it matters#
Choosing wrong either exposes you to neighbors' behavior or leaves an IP too cold to build reputation.
Implementation plan for nonprofits#
- Estimate steady daily volume; below roughly 50,000 per day, shared pools usually perform better.
- If dedicated, warm up over 4 to 6 weeks and keep volume consistent.
- Separate transactional and marketing onto different IPs or pools.
- Monitor SNDS and Postmaster Tools per IP.
Priorities specific to nonprofits#
Donor lists age quickly; re-engagement and sunset policies protect reputation. Weight your effort toward the steps above that address this constraint first, and measure with metrics that match how nonprofits generate value from email.
Common mistakes#
- Buying a dedicated IP for a small list and letting it go cold.
- One dedicated IP for everything, so a promo blast delays receipts.
Frequently asked questions#
Do I need a dedicated IP for good deliverability?
No. Domain reputation dominates. Dedicated IPs are for high-volume senders who want isolation.