AI technology has radically changed the future of many industries and is changing the way companies do business forever. Most of the discussions on the benefits of AI focus on helping traditional businesses boost their bottom line. In our capitalist economy, this is not surprising.
However, AI also offers many benefits for nonprofits. Dr. Lobna Karoui of the Forbes Nonprofit Council wrote an article on the many excellent benefits of AI. She cites a poll stating that 89% of nonprofit leaders believe AI technology can make a huge difference in their field. Karoui further asserts that AI can help nonprofit leaders improve efficiency and expand their reach. One of the biggest benefits pertains to fundraising.
Fundraising for humanitarian purposes is more challenging than the average person thinks. In many cases, a non-profit organization will spend a considerable chunk of the money they receive from a donor to find a new donor. Worse still, retaining donors is more challenging than finding new ones. Non-profits constantly spend time and resources sourcing for new income streams instead of pursuing the cause they were created to attend to.
Most non-profits get new donors to back them by investing time in answering questions about their cause and convincing them to give them money. The enormous time this takes, coupled with the constant need for more money, stops them from spending time to connect with their previous and existing donors to build good relationships.
Some non-profit organizations have begun using artificial intelligence to assist their fundraising efforts, and it is yielding results. With AI, simple and repetitive tasks can now be automated, thus reducing operating costs and increasing efficiency. There are also software companies like Gravyty that dedicate their services to providing AI support to non-profits so they can improve their relationships with donors. Here are some artificial intelligence tools that can help fundraisers be more effective:
- Software that can identify potential donors from internal data sets.
- Algorithms that can analyze the data of donors and suggest how to customize the appeals to be forwarded to them.
- Tools that can profile prospective donors from social networks or other public spaces.
- Online chatbots that can answer frequently asked questions about the non-profit and act as an interface between the public and the organization.
There are ways the management of non-profit organizations can improve their fundraising practices and save time, and some of them are:
Greater Focus On Donor Retention Rates
Donors make or break a fundraising organization, so they should be prioritized. Many businesses use Customer Relationship Management software to manage their relationships with clients and customers, and non-profits should do the same with their donors. There are many benefits of using CRM software, and effective use of it will improve relationships with donors, thus increasing revenue.
Schedule Regular Meetings With Donors
Have an automated calendar that can remind you of upcoming events and use it to schedule meetings with donors and other essential parties to the non-profit. Do not treat your donors like ATMs. Have regular meetings with them to discuss what you want to achieve, and updates on the causes they have previously donated to. Remember not to reserve this treatment to only major donors. Speak to donors at every level, and you will likely increase your retention rate.
Be Ethical With AI Usage
Artificial intelligence is powerful if used correctly. However, it is not a perfect replacement for a real human being. While using a chatbot, it is best to let people know that the system is automated, so if they do not get a satisfactory response, they will understand why. Also, when collecting people’s data with AI, do not misuse it. Ensure that all AI-fundraising practices are done ethically.
Endnote
AI is a helpful tool for businesses, and if used correctly, it can help increase operational efficiency and revenue. Non-profit organizations can also integrate it into their systems to improve their fundraising efforts and donor retention rate.