Here’s a few basic uses of AI that can make a difference in your growth in just four weeks
Thanks to the wisdom of Stephen R. Covey, every time I walk to a conference registration desk to pick up my badge, I imagine a myriad of saws in my brain about to get a fresh sharpening (cue Habit #7). The most recent AFP ICON conference in San Diego did not disappoint. I left feeling refreshed and ready to tackle some of our sector’s most pressing problems.
One of those issues is the pressure of incorporating AI into the daily workflow of a busy development office. We imagine that AI could offer efficiencies and make our lives easier, but it’s nearly impossible to sort out how that might happen. The hesitation is understandable. By my count, there were over 30 sessions and learning labs focused on AI at ICON – an impossible number to attend in less than three days. AI is dominating the education landscape, and it can feel impossible to keep up.
Small shops are struggling to keep pace with revenue expectations, acknowledgments, and database cleanup, while the sector is experiencing a shrinking donor base and tumbling retention rates. This capacity crisis contributes to burnout and staff turnover. So, to build on my previous article about incremental growth in digital fundraising, let’s take a closer look at a few basic uses of AI that can make a difference in your growth in just four weeks.
Let’s get started
Set aside two, one-hour blocks on your calendar. Each week, focus one hour on an AI efficiency and one hour on a foundational digital improvement. (Note: if four weeks is too aggressive, make this an eight-week plan and book only one hour each week.)
Four simple AI tasks
1. Draft a new donor acknowledgement
When was the last time you refreshed your donor acknowledgements? Thoughtful stewardship can positively impact your donor retention.
- Use your favorite generative AI tool (either ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini).
- Upload your current letter and ask for a heartfelt, meaningful thank you letter.
- Review the output for accuracy, personalize the copy, and update your print and emails with the refreshed language.
2. Create meeting summaries and “next steps”
This task can put precious time back into your reservoir, allowing a little extra room for other priorities. Most major meeting platforms include AI-generated summaries and recaps. In Teams, enable Copilot. For Zoom, use the AI Companion. For in-person meetings, use your mobile phone or an app to capture a transcription. Load that into your favorite AI tool and ask for notes along with key decisions and action items.
3. Use AI for ideation
Brainstorm time-saving advice for your next event or campaign. Make a list of new donor stewardship ideas. Pressure test your fundraising ideas to determine what’s unclear and what risks need to be addressed. Ask AI: “What donor objections or concerns might we be overlooking in this campaign?”
4. Build plans or calendars
Utilize AI to help build your campaign plan, create a new calendar, or go a step further and ask for an impact-effort matrix from your growing list of to-dos. This analysis will help to identify the projects and tasks that will deliver the greatest value for the least effort and allow you to prioritize your workload.
Four basic digital tactics
1. Audit your donation form
Go through your online donation process to identify areas of improvement.
- Ensure the process is smooth and streamlined.
- Make sure all buttons and drop downs are working.
- Test the form on desktop as well as mobile.
- Intentionally make mistakes to evaluate error responses.
- Review the post-donation process, including the on-screen confirmation and email autoresponder. Are these communications warm, welcoming, and gracious? If not, make a list of what should be improved.
2. Evaluate data hygiene
Run queries for duplicate addresses, empty name fields, or other incorrect or missing codes. Inventory them, and create an incremental plan for improvement. Focus on issues that directly impact donor communications and acknowledgements.
3. Map donor communications
Use a simple excel spreadsheet grid by month, and document your donor communications. After the initial thank you letter, what additional stewardship touchpoints do you have? Include emails, events, additional letters, or impact reports. Refer to the AI list number 3 or 4 to incorporate a new idea or two. Be aware of long stretches of time where the donor hears nothing after giving.
4. Scan your socials
Devote an hour to your social channels. Evaluate brand consistency, images, descriptions, and links. Are your social links easy to find and navigate on your website and in emails? Are you cross-promoting your social channels? Are you encouraging email newsletter signups? Consider the communications after someone subscribes to your e-newsletters.
The AI buzz will no doubt get stronger and louder in the coming years, but small shops do not need to chase every trend or adopt every new tool. Incremental progress is often the most practical path to moving forward. It allows organizations to improve digital fundraising efforts and explore the benefits of AI without creating significant administrative burden or contributing to staff burnout. The organizations that thrive will be the ones who remain focused on donor relationships, intentional planning, and healthy systems. Often the most meaningful transformation begins with one small step at a time.
Jen Newmeyer, CFRE, is a digital fundraising strategist, national speaker, and award-winning author helping nonprofits grow through integrated campaigns and online engagement. She is the Senior Director of Digital Fundraising Strategy at the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and founder of CharityJen Consulting. Her book, “Digital Fundraising Transformation: The Insider’s Guide to Revolutionize Your Strategy and Raise More,” was the winner of the 2026 AFP/Skystone Partners Prize for Research on Fundraising and Philanthropy. With over two decades of experience, she blends strategy, creativity, and experimentation to help fundraisers break through barriers and drive results. Learn more at charityjen.com.
