A recent report by Center for Effective Philanthropy highlighted how nearly two-thirds of nonprofits and foundations are using AI in their work.
But many organizations are still sharing concerns about how to use it well, securely, and ethically. It’s important to approach this topic remembering that AI is not a robot making decisions for you, and it doesn’t work without human direction.
Think of AI as a digital assistant that can help your nonprofit team work more efficiently so you can spend more time building connections and advancing your mission. Here’s how organizations are tapping into its potential:
1. Generative AI (Using AI to Create Content, Not Replace Your Voice)
One of the most common ways nonprofits are using AI right now is through generative AI, which helps create content like text, images, and drafts.
Let’s be clear about what this means.
Generative AI isn’t meant to replace your voice, your relationships, or your storytelling. Fundraising is still, and always will be, a human-centered practice by necessity. What AI can do is help you get unstuck, save time, and create clearer first drafts so you can focus on the parts of fundraising that matter most, like connection and trust.
Today, many nonprofits use generative AI tools to:
- Draft fundraising emails or donor appeals
- Outline impact reports or grant narratives
- Brainstorm campaign messaging or event themes
- Turn rough notes into more polished language
Instead of starting from a blank page, fundraisers can start with a draft and then refine it to sound more like them. That alone can save hours, especially for small teams or solo leaders wearing many hats.
💡Try this: Choose one small writing task you already do and use generative AI to help draft a first version. Treat it as a starting point, not the final answer. You’re still in charge of your voice, accuracy, and values. If you want practical guidance on getting started thoughtfully,
this article walks through how nonprofits can use generative AI responsibly, start small, and avoid common pitfalls.
2. Data Analysis & Predictive Analytics (Using AI to spot patterns and plan smarter)
Fundraising requires human instincts and stewardship. AI now makes it easier to pair those instincts with data by spotting patterns that used to take hours or even years to uncover.
With the help of AI, nonprofits can analyze donor data to answer questions like:
- Which supporters tend to give more than once?
- When do donors usually give?
- Which campaigns or messages perform best over time?
For example, it can help segment donors based on giving behavior, highlight potential major gift prospects, or forecast how a campaign might perform before you launch it.
A quick reminder:
When using AI with donor data, privacy comes first. Only use tools you trust, avoid uploading sensitive donor information into public systems, and make sure your approach protects donor confidence. In fundraising, trust is everything.
Think of AI here as a decision-support tool. It helps you see the landscape more clearly, but humans still lead with judgment, context, and care.
3. Automation (Saving time on repetitive fundraising tasks)
Fundraisers wear a lot of hats and have a lot on their plates. Spending hours writing auction descriptions, formatting donor lists, drafting event copy, or repeating the same admin tasks can quietly drain your time and energy.
This is where AI-powered automation can be a huge help.
AI tools can take on repetitive, low-creativity tasks so you can spend more time on the parts of fundraising that actually need a human touch.
Not sure what to automate? If you ever think, “I’ve done this exact task three times already,” that’s usually a good sign automation could help.
Some common ways nonprofits are using AI for automation:
- Drafting event descriptions or auction listings
- Cleaning up and organizing notes or data
- Creating first drafts of emails, acknowledgments, or reports
- Streamlining simple workflows that repeat throughout the year
By letting AI handle the busywork, fundraisers can focus on what matters most like telling meaningful stories and staying connected to their community.
Using AI ethically in a trust-based sector
AI can be a powerful support tool, but nonprofits have to use it with care.
In the nonprofit world, credibility is very important. Donors trust you with their money. Communities trust you with their stories. That means AI needs clear guardrails.
In my YouTube video, How can AI help with Nonprofit Fundraising? I share a few principles to guide responsible use:
- Protect data and privacy. Be thoughtful about what information you share with AI tools.
- Check for accuracy and bias. AI can sound confident and still be wrong. Always review before using anything publicly.
- Keep humans in the loop. AI can assist, but people should always make the final decisions.
Ethical AI use isn’t about avoiding technology. It’s about using it intentionally, so your fundraising stays human, transparent, and aligned with your values.
A quick reminder before the year wraps up
If you’re starting to think about how fundraising will look in 2026, this is a great chance to get organized.
My Zero to $100K Fundraising Toolkit walks you through planning and launching a fundraising campaign step by step, from setting realistic goals to aligning your time, tools, and resources with the impact you want to make.
It’s designed for nonprofit leaders who want clarity without complexity, especially if you’re balancing a lot with a small team. Right now is also a smart time to set yourself up for success in the year ahead!
Try it this week 🚀
Pick one small fundraising task that tends to eat up your time, like drafting a donor email, writing an event description, or summarizing campaign results.
Use an AI tool to create a first draft, then review and refine it in your own voice. Pay attention to what it saves you time on and where your human judgment still matters most.
The goal isn’t perfection or automation. It’s noticing how AI can support your work, so you have more energy for the things that matter most.
