How to Use AI to Drive Fundraising
October 2, 2025 | Read Time: 3 minutes
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how fundraisers work. The newest technology can personalize donor communications, coordinate content across all communication channels, help draft grant proposals, analyze data, and automate gift processing, among other uses. AI-savvy fundraisers are adopting these tools to handle repetitive tasks, freeing them up to focus on work that requires a human touch.
The technology is simple to learn and has the power to turbocharge giving, but it requires guardrails to protect your organization’s integrity.
“Fundraisers aren’t just driving transactions or selling products; they’re stewarding relationships, building community, nurturing generosity, and advancing missions that matter. This makes the ethical use of AI not a technical consideration but a moral imperative,” says Nathan Chappell, founder of Fundraising.AI.
The Chronicle has curated the following resources to help you stay on top of smart tools and make the most of this emerging technology — without compromising the heart of your work.
Editor’s note: Chronicle playbooks are updated on an ongoing basis as new advice becomes available.
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Donor Relations
Give Every Donor the VIP Treatment
How data and AI empower fundraisers to treat all supporters like major donors. -
Technology
Getting AI Right: a Fundraiser’s Guide to Responsible Use
Artificial intelligence can supercharge fundraising — if used wisely. Here’s how to tap its potential without losing donors’ trust. -
VIDEO
Making a Case for Investments in Data
Nonprofits with a data-driven fundraising strategy tend to produce far better results than those that lack the insights good data provides. Yet it can be difficult to make the case for investing limited resources in data management and analysis, especially when facing economic headwinds. Watch as we explored proven ways to convince leaders to invest in data tools and analysis. -
Artificial Intelligence
Can AI Raise Money and Not Replace Humans? 8 Lessons So Far
An AI-driven fundraising avatar helped bring in $2 million across 50 institutions in less than a year. -
VIDEO
A Glimpse into Our Near Future: AI Is Transforming Nonprofits
Within the next five years, AI has the potential to radically alter the ways we interact with technology and what we expect from it. For example, nonprofits will soon be able to develop hyper-personalized communications for advocacy or fundraising purposes. Many groups are already on the cutting edge. Our panel consisted of an exciting exploration of how AI is redefining what’s possible in the nonprofit world. -
Fundraising
Nonprofits Are Turning to AI to Save Time and Money
Organizations are experimenting with ways the technology can craft grant proposals, analyze donor data, improve programs, and more. -
VIDEO
Ensuring Data Privacy in the Age of AI: What Nonprofits Need to Know
Users of AI must take care to understand the privacy policies of the tools they use, and nonprofits must be vigilant about protecting the personal information of their clients and donors. This session identified what nonprofits need to know and do to ensure that AI tools do not compromise the privacy of key constituents. -
Fundraising
How to Treat Every Donor Like They Matter — and Keep Them
Here are tips to engage small-dollar donors beyond simply asking for gifts, including ways to use AI to make outreach feel more personal. -
Technology
How to Use A.I. Effectively and Protect Your Organization’s Reputation and Values
Experts say it’s critical for nonprofits to craft guidelines on A.I. use — and they offer advice on how to do it.
