There has been much talk about artificial intelligence as a crucial tool in developing fundraising, but recent data reveals a calmer and more realistic picture: most nonprofits have not yet entered the stage of actual adoption of this technology.

This article is based on a study published on the Nonprofit Tech for Good platform titled New Data Reveals Most Nonprofits Aren’t Using AI for Fundraising, which provides an accurate digital reading of the usage gap and the limits of technical readiness within the sector.

This translation and analysis are published while retaining all literary rights of the author and the original platform, as a primary source of the information and data presented.

The latest study from Nonprofit Tech for Good highlights that the majority of nonprofits have not yet adopted artificial intelligence in their fundraising processes, as the sector remains in early stages of adopting this technology. Those who believe that the adoption of AI is slow still have the opportunity to benefit early if there is a budget for experimentation and an enthusiastic team capable of using these tools.

A year ago, it was expected that the adoption rate of artificial intelligence in fundraising would increase as professionals become more familiar with AI tools and platforms expand their support for these tools. However, 60% of organizations reported that they lack the internal expertise to assess these tools, while only 4% mentioned that they have a dedicated training budget for AI purposes, which may keep the sector in a state of “curiosity” rather than real adoption.

5 Key Findings on Artificial Intelligence in Fundraising from the Study:

1) 4.5% of organizations use smart donation models based on AI to analyze donor data and customize donation amounts. This technology is known as smart donation, and it is expected to become a core feature in fundraising systems.

2) 4.1% of organizations use AI to optimize the timing of mailings based on previous recipient behavior, which affects the effectiveness of email fundraising campaigns.

3) 2.3% rely on AI to predict the most likely donors to become mid-level or major supporters, using donor database information.

4) 1.3% of organizations use AI programs to analyze donation data in real-time, helping to identify donation trends and forecast future revenues.

5) Only 1.2% use “AI agents” to automate some fundraising tasks, and the adoption of this technology is still in early stages and has not yet begun to be used extensively.

These findings illustrate a clear gap between the great potential of artificial intelligence and its actual usage in fundraising within organizations, indicating a significant opportunity to use these tools more effectively in the coming years.

The results reveal that the real challenge does not lie in the availability of technology, but rather in the readiness of organizational decision-making to invest in it wisely and responsibly. Since artificial intelligence is not an end in itself, but a tool that enhances efficiency when employed properly within a clear governance framework, the balanced space between excessive enthusiasm and complete hesitance remains the most suitable option; where adoption is built on understanding, impact is measured before scaling, and trust is maintained as the most important capital.

This article is translated with modifications from nptechforgood