How to Leverage AI for Your Nonprofit: Practical Tools and Strategies

Artificial intelligence (AI) used to sound like something only tech giants could afford. But in 2025, AI tools are affordable—and in many cases, free—for nonprofits.

From automating emails to creating social media posts, AI can help small teams do the work of many, without losing the personal touch. According to Salesforce’s Nonprofit Trends Report, 75% of nonprofits say technology is critical to achieving their mission. AI is becoming one of the most valuable tools in that toolbox.

Here’s how your nonprofit can start using AI today.

1. Content Creation & Marketing

AI can help nonprofits generate:

• Social media captions

• Email subject lines

• Blog outlines

• Donor thank-you notes

Tools like ChatGPT (discounted for nonprofits) or Copy.ai can help you brainstorm ideas faster, especially if you don’t have a dedicated marketing team.

Don’t forget: Always add your nonprofit’s authentic voice—AI should assist, not replace, your storytelling.

2. Donor Communications

AI-powered CRMs (like Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud) can:

• Segment donors based on giving history.

• Predict who’s most likely to donate again.

• Personalise email campaigns at scale.

Example: Instead of sending the same “year-end appeal” to everyone, AI can help you send tailored messages that resonate better with different donor groups.

3. Fundraising Insights

AI tools can analyse your donation data to spot patterns:

• Best times of year to run campaigns.

• Donor churn risk.

• Predictive revenue forecasts.

Fun fact: According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, organisations using AI insights in fundraising saw donation revenue grow 15–20% compared to those that didn’t.

4. Volunteer Management

AI-driven scheduling platforms can:

• Match volunteers to the right roles.

• Send automated reminders.

• Track hours and generate impact reports.

This saves staff time while improving the volunteer experience.

5. Grant Writing Support

While AI won’t replace a skilled grant writer, it can help draft outlines, research funders, or polish language. Tools like Grammarly or Perplexity AI speed up the process.

Pro Tip: Use AI to draft but always fact-check and personalise for your nonprofit.

Risks & Best Practices

AI is powerful, but nonprofits should use it responsibly:

• Check for accuracy: AI can make mistakes. Always verify facts.

• Protect donor data: Never share private donor info with AI tools.

• Stay human-first: AI should support your mission, not replace real human relationships.

AI isn’t a replacement for passion or people—it’s a way to amplify your nonprofit’s impact. By using AI tools for marketing, donor communication, fundraising, and operations, you can save time and focus on what matters most: your mission.

At Socials Runway, we help nonprofits simplify marketing with the right mix of human strategy and smart tools (AI included).
Ready to explore AI for your nonprofit? Start by reading our guide on Email Marketing for Nonprofits.