![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.philanthropy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Cover_AI_16-9-520x292.jpg\")
<\/div>\n How to Harness AI<\/a><\/h3>\nThe technology is bringing big change to all corners of the nonprofit world. Learn how fundraisers, grant makers, and leaders are using it to help them better meet their missions and fuel their organizations.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
This virtual engagement officer queries alums by text and email about personal details of their college experience, such as what their favorite building on campus was or who their favorite professor was. Responses are recorded and help inform personalized appeals that feature campus photos and include that alumni\u2019s favorite building, for example. That favorite professor might also get involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes professors co-sign a solicitation, and other times they\u2019ll actually tag along on a visit with a gift officer, says Laurie Soenen, the college\u2019s executive director of advancement services, who oversees the AI fundraiser. \u201cWe\u2019re collecting all that information to craft messages that our alumni will open, feel passionate about, and engage with us on,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This use of AI to interact with donors and boost fundraising is starting to show real benefits for nonprofits. Some big institutions, for example, are using AI on the back-end for analytics that help them approach donors in more personalized ways. But some worry that as donors get used to that approach, small institutions that are not delving into AI in similar ways may be left behind. Nonprofits as a whole may be lagging behind on adopting the technology. A recent Mission Partners\u2013Chronicle of Philanthropy<\/em> survey found that just under half of nonprofits were using AI, though three-quarters agreed or strongly agreed AI would have a positive impact on nonprofits.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSmall nonprofits have some advantage \u2014 they are more nimble and less bureaucratic and can pivot faster.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a static world or a linear world, the digital divide would grow slowly,\u201d says Nathan Chappell, founder of Fundraising.AI, a collaborative that looks at how AI is used in nonprofit fundraising. \u201cBut AI is considered an exponential technology. So the digital divide could become a digital chasm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the divide doesn\u2019t have to reach such proportions. Organizations can slow the gap by using the technology in ways that align with their work, Chappell says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSmaller organizations actually have somewhat of an advantage right now because they have less bureaucracy,\u201d he says. \u201cSmaller, more nimble organizations can reimagine things, and they can pivot much faster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n \n
Small nonprofits have some advantage \u2014 they are more nimble and less bureaucratic and can pivot faster.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn a static world or a linear world, the digital divide would grow slowly,\u201d says Nathan Chappell, founder of Fundraising.AI, a collaborative that looks at how AI is used in nonprofit fundraising. \u201cBut AI is considered an exponential technology. So the digital divide could become a digital chasm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the divide doesn\u2019t have to reach such proportions. Organizations can slow the gap by using the technology in ways that align with their work, Chappell says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSmaller organizations actually have somewhat of an advantage right now because they have less bureaucracy,\u201d he says. \u201cSmaller, more nimble organizations can reimagine things, and they can pivot much faster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \n\n