7 Ways You can Use AI to Boost Your Fundraising Right Now

I recently attended a local fundraising conference and sat in on a session on AI (artificial intelligence). One of the participants raised her hand and said she didn’t understand how AI could help her. She bravely admitted she had never tried ChatGPT.

The speakers smartly asked the audience to help give the woman examples of how and when they were using AI to help raise money. Hands shot up in response.

The woman asking the question left the event early — possibly embarrassed. It made me sad.

Artificial Intelligence isn’t a Fad — It’s the Future

If you’re not using widely available AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, or at least experimenting with them, you’re likely to be left behind. I used ChatGPT to help with this post. I asked for a list of 10 ways fundraisers could use AI (yes, I ditched a few suggestions and came up with some others on my own).

It’s not perfect, but ChatGPT and similar AI tools provide a great starting point. If I had asked ChatGPT to write the full article, it could have done that too, but then it wouldn’t have been my words you’re reading; it would’ve been a bland substitute. Nonetheless, it provided ideas which were perfect for this post.

You’re Already Using AI Without Even Knowing It

Unless you’re living in the dark ages (and probably not reading this post) you’re likely already using AI. It’s all around you — in your smartphone, on your computer, in your apps, and very likely on your TV, offering suggestions about what to watch next.

AI can play a meaningful role in your fundraising too. Some tools you’re already using without even knowing it. Many AI tools are already integrated in your fundraising database. If you’re using wealth screening tools, they include AI built into their systems.

7 Ways You can Use AI to Boost Your Fundraising

Before adding any AI to your fundraising arsenal, you’ll want to determine your needs, budget, and team capabilities to use the tools effectively.

That said, here are seven ways you can begin leveraging AI right now to improve your fundraising efforts and results.

1. Personalization and Segmentation

Use your fundraising database to personalize letters by inserting donor information and adjusting communications based on individual preferences. There’s no excuse for not segmenting your list and enhancing communication with personalization. Create targeted campaigns for various donor segments.

2. Improve Appeal Letters

Paste your appeal letter into ChatGPT and ask it to improve the writing by making it more compelling, sincere, and heartfelt. The results will blow your mind. That doesn’t mean you need to use the letter as written by ChatGPT, but you may want to!

3. Meeting Transcription

For virtual meetings, you can use meeting transcription services like Otter and Fireflies. No more need for someone to take notes. They merely need to go through and clean them up. (The transcriptions won’t be perfect, but they are a great start and improving every day.)

4. Draft Thank You Letters

Why start a thank you letter from scratch when AI can do it for you? Simply enter a few key details into the data bar and presto. For example, you might compose your prompt as:

Please write a sincere and heartfelt thank you letter to Jane, a loyal and longtime donor who supports our afterschool program. Include a story about Timmy, a rambunctious third grader, who uses the time to get out energy, play with friends, and do his homework.

You’ll be amazed by the results. You’ll need to do some light editing and a thorough proofread, but it will save you time and brain power.

5. Improve Proposals

Use the same technique as noted in #4 with grant requests by inserting the prompt and a few key details about your programs. You can even include your exact response from last year’s request and prompt it to improve and update the content.

6. Prospect Research

Use AI to learn more about your donors, including their giving history and wealth indicators. AI can unveil valuable insights into individual preferences and causes that resonate with donors. Additionally, by leveraging AI-driven analytics, you can build stronger relationships and cultivate a more strategic approach to donor engagement.

7. Predictive Analytics and Donor Mapping

Predictive analytics will help you forecast the best potential major gift donors based on historical data and patterns. Use tools to help you identify factors which will contribute to successful major gift requests, including donor mapping to help you better understand donor behavior and preferences.

The Many Benefits of AI for Fundraisers

The effectiveness of AI in fundraising often depends on the quality of your data. Integrating AI into your ongoing fundraising efforts has numerous benefits:

• AI can boost your efficiency
• AI can help you target the right donors
• AI can lead you to more fundraising success

Today’s AI tools are constantly evolving and improving. Make a commitment to try a few new tools or services this year. Some are free and most are low cost. Trial and error are the quickest way to success.