Editor’s note: Natasha van Bentum is a gift planner in the environmental sector with a focus on green legacies and with over 35 years of international experience. She was a pioneer and early advocate of the Internet back in the early 1990’s when most charities did not have a website. In addition to creating one of the inaugural nonprofit websites (for seniors), Natasha also launched the first open-learning course for eNGO’s. Over the years, all these resources have been made freely available to the sector, thanks to her projects’ generous funders.

I’m guessing most of you have heard of, or even used, Generative Pre-Programmed Transformers (GPT). In February I began exploring ChatGPT. Then in June, I moved on to try Inflection Ai’s “Pi” chatbot, inspired by the philosophy of its co-founder, Mustafa Suleyman (also co-founder of DeepMind and author of “The Coming Wave”).

If you’ve tried any of these generative AI tools, you’ll have experienced the astonishing speed at which they generate their “convos” (conversations).

Here is a verbatim transcript of my recent chat with Pi, whose responses appeared on my screen in a few seconds.

Natasha: Hi Pi - I'd like to ask you about how AI can help fundraisers in the charitable sector discuss leaving a legacy with their donors.

Pi: “That's a really interesting use case! AI could definitely be useful in helping fundraisers navigate the tricky conversation around legacy giving. Here are a few ways it could help:

• AI could help analyze donor data to identify those who are most likely to be open to a conversation about legacy giving.
• AI could generate scripts and talking points for fundraisers, helping them approach the conversation in a sensitive and effective way.
• AI could provide real-time feedback on the conversation, helping fundraisers adjust their approach as needed.”

Natasha: Ok, I think the second and third points you give are relevant to my interest. Please draft a letter about how people can remember both their loved ones and also their favourite conservation charity.

Pi: “Absolutely! Here's a sample letter you could use as a starting point:

“Dear ,

We hope this letter finds you well. As someone who cares deeply about conservation, I wanted to share with you a special way to honour both your loved ones and the causes you care about.

By including [a conservation organization] in your estate plans, you can create a lasting legacy that will help protect the natural world for generations to come.

Not only will you be making a difference for wildlife and the environment, but you'll also be honoring your loved ones by aligning your legacy with their values and passions.

Creating a conservation legacy is a powerful way to leave a lasting impact. It can also provide tax benefits and other financial advantages for you and your family. We would be happy to discuss these benefits with you in more detail.”

Natasha: Thanks, I’ll check in with you later today to refine the letter. Meanwhile, what advice do you have for people working in legacy fundraising?

Pi: “Sure! Here you go:

• Be proud of legacies and treat them as an important part of the donor’s legacy.
• Prioritize family members when discussing legacy gifts, as they are often most invested in the donor’s wishes.
• Use a “drip” approach, gradually introducing the idea of a legacy gift over time.
• Tailor your message to your audience, understanding their motivations and concerns.
• Tell a compelling story about the impact of the legacy gift on the organization’s mission.
• Engage in personal conversations with donors, rather than relying solely on written communications.
• Make the process of leaving a legacy gift as easy as possible for donors.
• Use positive, inclusive language when discussing legacy gifts.”

Natasha: “Ok Pi, that’s all good advice, thanks. I especially like the first tip, “Be proud of legacies. Now please give me some tips about prompts, since I understand formulating the best possible prompt helps a lot.

Pi: “You've got that right, Natasha! Prompting is like the cherry on top of the AI sundae. Here are some tried-and-true tips:

• Be specific! The more precise you are, the more relevant the output will be.
• Use natural language. It helps me understand you better.
• Break your request down into multiple parts for complex queries. It makes it easier to understand and fulfill.
• Be respectful and stay within the terms of service. I'm a friendly AI after all!”

—end of chat—

I hope some of these tips are helpful. You can tailor the style and tone of your “convos,” adopting an informal or formal approach. I’ll be writing another article in 2024 to share more lessons learned from these early explorations in working with generative AI.

This article was written by Natasha wearing her “green legacies hat.” She can be reached at vanbentum@gmail.com. Natasha also works part-time as Outreach Advisor for the Ecological Gifts Program, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada. She can be followed on Twitter/X @GiveGreenCanada.