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Nonprofits and political campaigns rely on outreach. They need tools that don’t just send messages—they need tools that move people. That’s where Strive Messaging stands out.
While most SMS tools fall into two camps—basic mass texting or volunteer-intensive peer-to-peer platforms—Strive sits in a sharp middle ground. It offers the scale of broadcast texting with the precision and personalization needed to drive real action.
Here’s a deep, honest review of Strive Messaging: what it offers, how it works, who it’s for, and where it shines (or doesn’t).
What Is Strive Messaging?
Strive Messaging is a broadcast SMS platform built specifically for advocacy, political campaigns, and nonprofits. It’s not trying to be a general-purpose texting tool. It’s tailored to the needs of organizers.
You send messages to an entire opt-in list at once—think 5,000 or 50,000 people—not one by one. But Strive adds something most broadcast platforms ignore: a conversation inbox. Replies don’t disappear into the void. Your team can respond to each supporter directly, organize those conversations, and even assign them to volunteers.
The result? Mass communication that stays human.
Core Features: Built for Action
Let’s walk through the features that define Strive’s offering.
1. List Growth + Segmentation
You can grow your list through:
- Keyword-based opt-ins (e.g. Text JOIN to 12345)
- Embedded web forms
- Facebook Lead Ads
Each new contact triggers a flow—collecting names, zip codes, or custom fields. You can segment based on these attributes later. Zip code targeting? Past action filtering? Response history? All possible.
Strive gives you real control over who you’re talking to and when.
2. Automation + Scheduling
You don’t need to babysit your campaigns. With:
- Drip campaigns
- Message scheduling by timezone
- Follow-up flows
You can create structured outreach over days or weeks.
Each supporter gets a sequence that makes sense for them, delivered at the right moment.
3. Interactive Mobilization
Strive doesn’t stop at messaging—it drives action:
- Launch petitions, event signups, or donation asks.
- Patch-through calls to legislators or targets.
- Track clicks, responses, and completions.
These aren’t afterthoughts. They’re baked into the platform for organizers who want engagement, not just delivery.
4. Inbox for 1-on-1 Replies
Most SMS broadcast platforms ignore replies. Strive doesn’t.
Every response lands in a shared inbox. You can:
- Flag important messages
- Assign threads to team members
- Respond in bulk or individually
- Automate replies to FAQs or opt-out requests
This makes supporter interaction scalable. You can keep conversations personal—even at volume.
5. Integrations and API Access
Strive connects directly with:
- EveryAction
- ActionKit
- ActBlue
- ActionNetwork
- NationBuilder
- Zapier
- Facebook Lead Ads
There’s also a robust API, so your dev team can plug Strive into any custom workflow. For complex campaigns or established tech stacks, this is essential.
6. Message Testing and Flow Preview
Before launch, you can:
- Preview how each message looks in different flows
- Send test texts to your own device
- View entire chatbot paths in a simulator
Mistakes in SMS campaigns are costly. Strive helps avoid them.
7. Deliverability + Compliance
Strive supports:
- 10DLC (registered local numbers)
- Toll-free numbers
- Shortcodes (fastest delivery, highest cost)
Each number type has pros and cons. Strive lets you pick based on your priorities: speed, deliverability, or budget.
Critically, Strive follows strict TCPA compliance. Only opted-in users can be messaged. This keeps your campaigns legal and your list clean.
Pricing Breakdown
Strive starts at $50/month, which includes basic access. Pricing then scales based on:
- Volume of messages sent
- Number type (shortcode, toll-free, 10DLC)
- Extra features via integrations or partners
Larger campaigns or orgs with complex workflows may pay more, especially if they need high throughput or advanced automation.
Nonprofits using platforms like NationBuilder can often access Strive through bundled packages or with discounts.
Note: Costs for shortcodes can climb quickly, so smaller groups may prefer 10DLC or toll-free numbers to stay within budget.
Pros
- Mass reach + individual conversations—best of both worlds
- Built for advocacy, not generic use
- Powerful integrations with major nonprofit CRMs
- Compliance-forward, with built-in safeguards
- Dynamic segmentation helps target your message precisely
- Action-driven tools like petitions and call patches make it more than a message platform
Cons
- Not true P2P texting—if you need high-volume back-and-forth, look elsewhere
- UI learning curve—new users may need training to use flows and automation confidently
- API may require dev support—powerful, but not plug-and-play
- Pricing scales fast—larger orgs should watch their usage closely
Who Should Use Strive?
Great Fit For:
- Nonprofits running campaigns or mobilization drives
- Political campaigns doing voter turnout or fundraising
- Advocacy orgs targeting legislators or petition goals
- Groups with tech-savvy teams or existing CRMs
Not Ideal For:
- Teams seeking 100% manual peer-to-peer texting
- Businesses or brands without organizing goals
- Orgs needing a free/ultra-low-cost SMS platform
Final Verdict
Strive Messaging is more than a broadcast SMS tool. It’s a campaign engine. It helps teams move people to action—not just reach inboxes.
From custom flows to powerful integrations, from inbox workflows to petition tools—it’s built to serve organizers, not marketers. It rewards planning, automation, and team coordination.
If you’re running a movement and you want a texting tool that actually helps you organize, Strive is worth the investment.