How charities are using AI to support fundraising

Several charities have started utilizing AI technologies to support their fundraising efforts. Here are a few examples:

• Charity Water: Uses AI to analyse and segment its donor database. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, Charity Water can identify donor patterns and behaviours, allowing them to tailor their fundraising appeals and communication to specific donor segments. This targeted approach has proven to be more effective in engaging donors and increasing fundraising results.
• UNICEF: UNICEF has utilized AI to create a chatbot called U-Report, which engages with young people worldwide to gather opinions and feedback on various social issues. Through U-Report, UNICEF not only gains valuable insights but also raises awareness and encourages participation in their initiatives. This engagement can lead to increased support and fundraising opportunities.
• Movember Foundation: Movember, a charity focused on men's health, has employed AI to optimize its fundraising campaigns. They used machine learning algorithms to analyse past campaign data and identify key factors that drive successful fundraising outcomes. By understanding the characteristics and behaviours of successful fundraisers, Movember can provide personalized guidance and support to individuals, improving their fundraising efforts.
• American Red Cross: The American Red Cross has utilized AI and natural language processing to develop an AI-powered chatbot named "Hero." Hero assists potential blood donors by answering questions, providing information about eligibility criteria, and helping them find nearby blood drives. This AI-powered chatbot has simplified the process for potential donors and increased participation in blood donation campaigns.
• DonorsChoose.org: DonorsChoose.org, an online crowdfunding platform for teachers, has implemented AI to help match teachers' project proposals with potential donors. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, the platform analyses project descriptions, donor preferences, and past donation history to make personalized project recommendations to donors. This AI-driven matching system has increased the efficiency and effectiveness of fundraising for educational initiatives.

These examples demonstrate how charities have successfully incorporated AI technologies into their fundraising strategies, enabling them to better understand donor behaviour, personalise communication, optimise campaigns, and improve donor engagement. AI has the potential to revolutionise fundraising by providing insights, automating processes, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of fundraising initiatives.

This is the third instalmant in our 5 part series on Chat GPT and fundraising – read the first two articles here.