Should Your New Assistant be an Artificial Intelligence?

May 4

As the world becomes increasingly data-driven, non-profit organizations are likely to consider Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address a range of challenges, from optimizing HR processes to increasing donor engagement.

Illustration generated by AI.

By Ben Delaney

Here are a few example of areas where a you, as a nonprofit leader, may want to evaluate AI’s ability to assist with difficult issues in leadership, HR, programming, MarCom, and fundraising.

Of course, data security is a substantial concern when applying AI, or any new technology, in your organization. We advise that security-related issues be part of your selection criteria when you consider AI for assistance. If you need help evaluating AI for use in your organization, get in touch HERE.

Data-driven Leadership

Effective leadership is critical to the success of any nonprofit organization. And no leader of a community-based organization (CBO) seems to have enough time to get everything done. One way AI can help nonprofit leaders is by analyzing large datasets to identify patterns and provide insights that can inform decision-making. For example, AI can be used to analyze financial data, program outcomes, and donor behavior to help leaders identify areas where the organization can improve.

HR

Human Resources (HR) is another area where AI can provide valuable insights. One application of AI in HR is to help automate the recruitment process. AI-powered tools can be used to screen resumes, conduct initial interviews, and even make hiring recommendations based on an analysis of candidate data. In addition, AI can be used to identify skill gaps among employees and recommend training programs to help fill those gaps.

Programming

CBOs must constantly assess and adjust their programs to ensure they are achieving their goals. AI can help by providing insights into program outcomes and identifying areas where improvements can be made. For example, AI-powered analytics tools can be used to track program performance over time and identify trends that indicate areas for improvement. Additionally, AI can help identify which program elements are most effective and which are not, allowing organizations to focus their resources on the most impactful activities.

Marketing and Communications

Marketing and Communications (MarCom) is another area where AI can provide valuable insights. AI-powered tools can be used to analyze social media data and other forms of online engagement to identify which marketing messages are resonating with target audiences. Market research data can also be analyzed by AI, providing key insights into the stakeholders’ concerns and needs, as well as the effectiveness of communications efforts. This information can be used to refine marketing campaigns and improve engagement with donors and other stakeholders. In addition, AI-powered chatbots can provide instant answers to common questions from staff and volunteers, including marketing automation tasks, such as responding to website inquiries, freeing up marketers to focus on more strategic initiatives. Finally, AI can be used to generate content, including marketing copy and illustrations, such as the one accompanying this blog post.

Fundraising

Finally, fundraising is an area where AI can provide significant benefits to nonprofit organizations. One application of AI in fundraising is to help identify potential donors and determine the best ways to engage with them. AI can help organizations personalize their marketing messages based on both classes of donors (demographics, net worth, giving patterns, donors to similar organizations, etc.) and individual donor preferences and behavior. AI can be used to craft and deliver personalized acknowledgements for various types of donors. By analyzing donor data, AI-powered tools can identify patterns and behaviors that indicate a high likelihood of giving. Additionally, AI can be used to analyze the responses to different fundraising messages and recommend the most effective fundraising strategies based on donor behavior.

AI has the potential to transform nonprofit organizations by providing valuable insights into all of these area, and likely, many others. By leveraging AI-powered tools, nonprofit leaders may be able to find a valuable thought partner as they make decisions that help their organizations achieve their goals more efficiently.

However, it's important to note that AI is not a magic bullet and must be used in conjunction with other tools and strategies to be effective. As we said earlier, data security is an important aspect of implementing any new technology. To get the most out of AI, nonprofit leaders must invest in the right technology, data infrastructure, and talent to ensure that they are using AI as effectively as possible.

Sources:

Green, L. (2019). How Artificial Intelligence is Revolutionizing Nonprofit Organizations. Nonprofit Hub. https://nonprofithub.org/nonprofit-technology/how-artificial-intelligence-is-revolutionizing-nonprofit-organizations/

Lupfer, N. (2020). AI for Nonprofits: Applications in Fundraising, Programming, and Marketing. npENGAGE. https://npengage.com/nonprofit-fundraising/ai-for-nonprofits-applications-in-fundraising-programming-and-marketing/

Mishra, R., & Mishra, D. (2020). Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Non-Profit Sector: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions. Journal of Social Entrepreneurship, 11(4), 527-548. doi: 10.1080/19420676.2020.1831526

Raju, S. (2020). Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on the Nonprofit Sector. Nonprofit Quarterly. https://nonprofitquarterly.org/artificial-intelligence-and-its-impact-on-the-nonprofit-sector/

Williams, K. (2019). Nonprofit Leaders and Artificial Intelligence: What You Need to Know. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesnonprofitcouncil/2019/06/06/nonprofit-leaders-and-artificial-intelligence-what-you-need-to-know/?sh=728a8bb1e900

The Complete Guide to AI for Nonprofits - Keela

It’s Time For AI To Improve Nonprofit Performance - Forbes

How AI Can Help Not-for-Profits Do More With Less - Newsweek

Artificial intelligence in non-profit organizations - Brookings

AIartificial intelligencevirtual assistantdevelopmenthrdata analysisprogrammingMarComcommunications

Ben Delaney

I was born at a young age, long ago. I grew up surrounded by people who claimed to be my family, but I had no way to test that hypothesis. I am now much older, and somewhat wiser, one hopes.

https://bendelaney.com