According to The Bridgespan Group, two-thirds of nonprofits report using AI and 90 percent say they want to expand how they use it. Artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated into operations, offering new ways to improve efficiency, knowledge, and communication.
Nonprofits can use AI to generate and refine ideas, adjust messaging based on stakeholder groups, optimize SEO and FAQs, and repurpose content. This can support organizations as they manage workloads and complex donor expectations. However, if used without clear boundaries, AI can erode trust, tone, and mission alignment.
It works best as a practical support tool, not a replacement for humans. Responsible adoption requires training to align with organizational values and a clear understanding of where automation adds value versus where it introduces risk.
Nonprofits can deploy AI to strengthen operations while preserving the human connections at the core of their work.
When Nonprofits Should Consider Using AI
Personalizing and Scaling Donor Messaging
AI can review donor history, communication preferences, and engagement patterns to help nonprofits tailor emails and timely updates. This allows organizations to scale outreach without sacrificing personalization, ensuring benefactors receive messages that reflect their relationship with the mission. By using AI-generated drafts, organizations can produce and edit communications that are efficient, accurate, and aligned with their missions.
Nonprofits are already implementing this strategy. According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, 82% of nonprofits are using AI to generate content like drafting donor emails. Marketing and PR professionals should apply final edits to ensure clarity, consistency, and organizational voice.
Identifying Trends and Predictive Insights
Artificial intelligence can identify trends in donor behavior, such as reviewing giving frequency, event participation, and patterns in volunteerism. These insights allow nonprofits to respond earlier, share meaningful updates, and re-engage supporters before interest declines.
Predictive data also supports smarter planning. By understanding which supporters are most likely to increase or renew engagement, organizations can allocate time and resources more effectively, strengthening donor relationships throughout the year.
For Nonprofit Social Media and Content Marketing
According to HubSpot, 75% of marketers reported using AI for media creation, which includes images, videos, and captions. In addition, 94% plan to use AI in content creation processes (i.e. blogs). These tools can analyze which posts, topics, and visuals perform best across social media platforms, helping nonprofits refine messaging strategies. This improves planning, identifies optimal posting times, and surfaces themes that resonate with audiences.
AI may also assist with drafting captions and content writing, giving organizations a starting point they can shape and refine. This strategy supports consistency while reducing time spent on routine digital marketing tasks, allowing not-for-profits to focus on higher priority donor communications.
For social media and content marketing to remain effective, AI tools must be trained continuously on approved messaging and examples, so they reflect the organization’s voice, tone, and priorities.
Deploying AI Chat Tools for Donor Support
AI chat tools can answer common questions, guide donors through basic actions, and share general information during high-traffic periods. This can improve accessibility and reduce response times, particularly during fundraising campaigns.
When correctly implemented, chat tools support donor experience without replacing human interaction. Clear escalation paths ensure supporters can connect with staff when questions become more complex or personal.
When Nonprofits Should Avoid Using AI
Managing Direct Donor Communications
Donor relationships depend on trust built through authentic human interaction. Automated responses cannot replicate empathy or personal connections.AI may support background research, preparation, and promotional outreach, but follow-ups and relationship management should remain human-led.
Donors expect to engage with people who understand their motivations and values, not systems generating scripted replies.
Handling Crisis Communications or High-Stakes Issues
Crisis communications require careful judgment, accountability, and contextual awareness. Messaging must reflect organizational responsibility, empathy, and credibility. AI can assist with monitoring media coverage or public sentiment, but creating crisis communications plans and approving official statements should remain firmly in human hands. Automated outputs risk misinterpretation, tone misalignment, and reputational harm.
Partnering with a crisis communications PR agency helps organizations prepare for high-stakes situations, apply disciplined judgment, and respond with clarity and build credibility.
Making Ethical, Policy, or Mission Decisions
AI should not determine organizational values, policy positions, or ethical decisions. These choices require leadership and board judgment to align with mission and community expectations.
Nonprofit experts and leadership remain responsible for final decisions and public positions. AI supports analysis of situations, not authority.
Nonprofits Responsibly Using AI in 2026
AI offers nonprofits meaningful opportunities to improve efficiency, planning, and communication when deployed with clear purpose and oversight. The most effective organizations position AI as a support system within established strategies, with human judgment and mission priorities directing its use.
By setting boundaries early and reinforcing the importance of authentic relationships, nonprofits can use these tools to work more proactively while maintaining and building trust among donors, stakeholders, and the communities they serve.
National PR Agency Credentials
Rosica Communications is a nationally recognized nonprofit PR firm specializing in social media, media relations, thought leadership, crisis communications, SEO, AI search marketing, content marketing, and integrated PR and marketing communications. Our team develops PR and comms. programs for nonprofits to improve how information is shared with stakeholders.
To thoroughly measure PR and thought leadership programs, Rosica developed the most comprehensive PR and thought leadership measurement tool available today. The Thought Leadership Matrix™ assesses more than 20 indicators to benchmark influence and category/sector rankings over time.
Learn more by scheduling a call with Chris Rosica, CEO and president of Rosica Communications: https://www.rosica.com/contact/