And How to Implement AI at Your Organization
Artificial intelligence (AI) is having sweeping impacts on a wide range of businesses and organizations, and nonprofits are no exception. AI brings exciting opportunities to streamline operations, enhance efficiencies, improve organizational decision-making and, ultimately, have a bigger impact on a nonprofit’s key mission.
How nonprofits use AI
Following are some exciting ways nonprofits are using AI to help improve outcomes.
#1 – Fundraising
AI algorithms are helping nonprofits better understand their potential donors and target those who are most likely to support the organization. By analyzing historical information to identify patterns and trends, AI’s predictive modeling capabilities can help nonprofits tailor their messaging and personalize their fundraising efforts, resulting in better outcomes.
#2 – Communication
Organizations can use AI to generate engaging social media posts, effective marketing initiatives and persuasive email campaigns. Doing so can help the nonprofit freshen up its content to generate additional interest among potential donors and supporters.
#3 – Automating routine tasks
The cost of maintaining employees is the biggest administrative expense faced by many nonprofits. And these employees are most valuable when they’re building relationships and furthering the organization’s mission. AI can be used to automate routine tasks, such as data entry, scheduling, reviewing donor profiles and sending reminders, which allows employees to focus on more strategic and mission-critical tasks.
#4 – Data analysis
AI Tools can quickly analyze data and generate meaningful insights that can help inform the organization’s decision-making. For example, information about the nonprofit’s donors can be used by AI to predict giving patterns and forecast trends. This analysis can help the organization generate custom communications and targeted campaigns to improve outcomes. It also allows the organization to avoid ineffective fundraising efforts.
#5 – Writing policies, procedures and grant proposals
AI can also be used by nonprofit organizations to streamline the process of writing policies, procedures and grant proposals. Keep in mind, however, that these tasks are complex undertakings. While AI can be used to speed up the process, it’s important to provide thoughtful inputs to guide the process. And, in order to create the most customized grant proposals, you’ll want to supplement any AI-generated content with relevant data points and personalized storytelling.
Tips for implementing AI at your nonprofit
While AI has many exciting applications for nonprofit organizations, any AI solution must be thoughtfully implemented. When done incorrectly, AI has the potential to disrupt processes and alienate donors. The following steps can help you effectively implement AI at your organization.
#1 – Make sure your nonprofit is ready for AI
Take time to evaluate how your team currently uses technology and how AI may impact your IT infrastructure. Make sure you have the right resources in place to support new tools and a smooth transition. Carefully identify which tasks or departments can benefit the most from AI support, and create a plan to gradually deploy AI in areas where it can have the most impact. Keep in touch with impacted employees and stakeholders to gather feedback and make improvements along the way.
#2 – Prioritize your AI tools
Most nonprofits operate on limited budgets, which makes it critical to prioritize the AI functions that can have the most impact on your nonprofit’s mission and strategic goals. Be sure to choose an AI solution that integrates with your current systems and workflows, and identify user-friendly interfaces that make the transition easy for your employees.
#3 – Provide training
Before fully launching AI capabilities, make sure your employees and other relevant stakeholders are trained and prepared. Educate team members on the reasons for the new tools and how AI can make their lives easier. Make sure they’re comfortable and prepared to utilize the new features and capabilities of the tool.
#4 – Seek support
Depending on what in-house resources you have to support your IT functions, it may make sense to hire a managed IT services provider to support your AI initiatives. This provider can help you deploy AI technology and provide support for any issues that may arise.
Could you use help leveraging the power of AI for your nonprofit organization? Creative Planning Business Services is here for you. We offer a wide range of advisory services to help nonprofit organizations reduce risk, improve efficiencies and pursue their organization’s mission. To learn more, schedule a call with a member of our team.
