Glossary
Engagement & Communication

Email Personalization Token

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
July 16, 2025

Definition:

A dynamic placeholder in emails that’s replaced with each recipient’s personal information, making mass emails feel personalized.
An Email Personalization Token is a dynamic placeholder within an email template that automatically inserts recipient-specific data when the email is sent. These tokens, sometimes called merge tags or personalization fields, are replaced with information such as the recipient’s first name, organization, or donation amount. By using these tokens, nonprofits can customize mass emails to create the appearance of one-to-one communication. This increases engagement by making each message feel relevant and personal to the reader, ultimately strengthening donor relationships and improving campaign effectiveness.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalization tokens insert recipient-specific data automatically.
  • They help make mass emails feel unique to each individual.
  • Keela supports easy use of these tokens in email campaigns.
  • Boosts donor engagement and response rates.

Why It Matters

Using personalization tokens increases email engagement, donor trust, and campaign success.

Real World Example

Imagine a nonprofit sending a thank-you email to 500 donors. Instead of starting each message with “Dear supporter,” they use a personalization token in Keela—like [First Name]—so each recipient sees their own name at the top. For example, Jane receives 'Dear Jane,' and David receives 'Dear David.' Keela automatically pulls this information from donor records, ensuring every message is accurate and meaningful. This approach makes donors feel recognized and valued, leading to stronger relationships and higher future engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Email Personalization Token?

It’s a placeholder in an email template that’s replaced with recipient-specific information, like their first name, when the email is sent.

How do I use personalization tokens in Keela?

Simply insert the desired token into your email body using Keela’s editor—Keela will automatically fill in the correct data for each recipient.

Why are personalization tokens important for nonprofits?

They make mass emails feel personal, increasing donor engagement and building stronger relationships.

Can I personalize emails with data beyond names?

Yes! Keela supports tokens for various fields such as donation history, organization name, or any custom data you track.

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