1. AI Literacy
One recent report shared that 85.6% of nonprofits are already exploring AI tools to save time, improve communication, and do more with less – from drafting emails to generating social media content to summarizing reports.
But we also know that effective nonprofit work is built on not just efficiency but also on human trust, dignity, and responsibility to those we serve.
- So I’m defining “AI Literacy” as two things here:
What AI tools are out there and how to properly use them, and
- How to define the ethical guardrails and standards for your organization that will ensure you use these tools in ways that preserve those critical human pieces.
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Try this: You don't need to become an AI expert overnight. If you haven’t already experimented with tools like Claude or others, start small. Ask it to give you feedback on donor communications or your newsletter or your grant proposal. And if you’re already using AI regularly in your organization, create an AI ethical use policy and make sure your team (board, volunteers, staff) are aware of it and its rules. I found
this guide from TechSoup if you want a starting point!
2. Digital Storytelling
People generally give because of relationships and trust. In today's digital world, the ability to tell your story online in a compelling way is one of the most powerful tools you have for building those relationships and inspiring support.
Digital storytelling is about using photos, short videos, social media posts, and email updates to bring your mission to life in a way that connects emotionally with your audience. It doesn't have to be polished or professional. Authentic, real moments from your work are often the most powerful.
💡Try this: Start with your phone. Record a short 60-second video of a volunteer in action, or a behind-the-scenes look at your work this week. Post it on social media and see how your audience responds. You might be surprised at the connection it creates!
3. CRM Basics
If you're not already familiar, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is a digital address book for your organization, but much more powerful than that. It’s software that can help you track your touchpoints with donors (and sometimes even volunteers) in one place so nothing falls through the cracks.
For nonprofits, a CRM is essential for building and maintaining relationships over time. It tells you who gave last year, who hasn't heard from you in a while, and who might be ready for a bigger ask. Without one, important donor information often lives in spreadsheets, sticky notes, or someone's memory. This poses a real risk to your organization. I recommend you invest in a CRM when you can, but also support your team in building the skills to use it well – from logging donor communication notes, running reports, and more.
💡Try this: If you don't have a CRM yet, start by researching options that might work for your situation. If you already have one, spend 30 minutes this week showing a team member supporting fundraising how to make sure your donor records are up to date.
4. Data and Impact Dashboards
If you're not tracking your organization's data, you might be making decisions in the dark. A simple impact dashboard helps you see what's working in your programs and services, what isn't, and where to focus your energy, all in one place.
As a nonprofit, this might include tracking donor retention rates, program outcomes, volunteer hours, and fundraising progress. When you can see your key numbers at a glance, it becomes much easier to make smart decisions, report to funders, and communicate your impact to supporters. (Plus, sometimes you can create neat infographics to dazzle your audience!)
You don't need fancy software to get started. A simple spreadsheet or a free tool like Google Data Studio can work beautifully for small and growing nonprofits.
💡Try this: Identify three to five numbers that matter most to your mission right now. Things like how many people you served this month, your donor retention rate, or your fundraising goal progress. Start tracking them consistently in one place. That's your first impact dashboard!
Try it this week 🚀
Pick one of these four digital skills and take one small step toward building it this week. You don't have to master all four at once.
