Generative AI in Nonprofits

The integration of generative AI into the operations of nonprofit organizations marks a revolutionary shift in how these entities address their missions and challenges. Generative AI, which includes technologies like natural language processing, machine learning, and image generation, has the potential to significantly enhance the efficiency, reach, and impact of nonprofits.

• Efficiency and Cost Reduction: One of the most immediate benefits of generative AI for nonprofits is its ability to increase operational efficiency while reducing costs. Many nonprofits operate with limited resources and budgets. AI tools can automate routine tasks such as data entry, analysis, and report generation, freeing up human resources for more complex and strategic activities. For instance, chatbots powered by AI can handle basic inquiries, providing quick responses to stakeholders and reducing the workload on staff.
• Enhanced Fundraising and Donor Engagement: Generative AI can transform fundraising and donor engagement strategies. By analyzing donor data, AI can help nonprofits create personalized outreach strategies, tailoring communications to individual preferences and increasing the effectiveness of fundraising campaigns. Additionally, AI-driven analytics can identify potential donors and predict giving patterns, enabling nonprofits to target their efforts more effectively.
• Improved Service Delivery: Nonprofits often work in fields like healthcare, education, and social services, where personalized attention is crucial. AI can support these efforts by providing tailored recommendations, educational content, and support services. For example, AI-driven platforms can offer personalized learning experiences for students in educational nonprofits or provide customized health advice in medical charities.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Generative AI can assist nonprofits in developing innovative solutions to complex problems. By processing large datasets, AI can uncover patterns and insights that might be invisible to human analysts. This capability is particularly valuable in fields like environmental conservation and poverty reduction, where understanding intricate systems is key to making impactful changes.
• Challenges and Ethical Considerations: Despite these benefits, the adoption of generative AI in nonprofits is not without challenges. One significant concern is the ethical use of AI, especially regarding data privacy and bias. Nonprofits must ensure that their use of AI aligns with their ethical standards and public expectations. Additionally, there is the challenge of access and expertise. Smaller nonprofits may lack the resources or technical expertise to implement AI solutions effectively.

Statistics

Case Studies

Blackbaud & JustGiving

In August of 2023, Blackbaud presented JustGiving, an online giving platform based in the United Kingdom, with a Story Enhancer that was powered by generative artificial intelligence. The technology provides assistance to fundraisers in the process of creating and sharing personalized stories, which is a task that many find difficult but which can have a significant impact on fundraising.

According to research conducted by JustGiving, donation pages that include a concise and personal narrative garner approximately 65% more support than those that do not. Blackbaud, based in the United States, creates software that powers social impact.

In the year 2022, more than 850 thousand different fundraising pages were established on JustGiving. 35% of these pages used the pre-written content that was provided by the platform, despite the fact that pages that included a concise and personal narrative received 65% more funding than those that did not.

Wadhwani AI

Wadhwani AI was established through a collaborative effort between Romesh and Sunil Wadhwani, two of the wealthiest brothers in India. Romesh founded SAIGroup, and Sunil established the WISH Foundation. Artificial intelligence is the focus of the charitable organization based in Mumbai, which has set itself the goal of establishing an ecosystem of scalable AI solutions for underserved communities in various fields such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. These solutions involve forming partnerships with the governments of countries located in the South of the world. Wadhwani AI made the announcement in April 2023 that it was developing a series of AI programs to estimate the likelihood of death and severity of tuberculosis for patients in over one hundred public health facilities located in the northern state of Haryana. The brothers were recognized as two of the most influential people in artificial intelligence by TIME magazine in September of 2023.

WWF

In order to commemorate Earth Day in April 2023, WWF UK used generative AI to create two distinct future scenarios for the world's natural environments. The Future of Nature, which was developed in collaboration with Uncommon Creative Studio, made use of cutting-edge algorithms to project two very different futures for the natural world: one showed a precipitous fall in the biodiversity and environmental health of the planet, while the other showed flourishing ecosystems. The second possibility will only become a reality if people make the conscious decision to preserve and rehabilitate natural areas. Over 20 different images were included in the Romantic-themed series. Each one was dated with the year in which it was imagined, and it was accompanied by a description of real-world scenarios that the subject matter faces today. Both the free physical exhibition and the online version of the exhibition were only available for viewing for a predetermined amount of time.

OlivIA for Her

"OlivIA IA for her" is an innovative project utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to assist women who are victims of gender-based violence and seek services from the Secretaría de Igualdad Sustantiva entre Mujeres y Hombres (Secretary of Substantive Equality between Women and Men) in the Government of Jalisco, Mexico.

The primary goal of this intervention is to reduce institutional violence and revictimization of women, girls, and adolescents who seek assistance at the Comprehensive Care Units for Women and Children. This is achieved by streamlining the time and tools for collecting and systematizing information in a sensitive, empathetic, and efficient manner. This intervention utilizes an AI platform and methodology. The initial interaction between the PRV and the public official is recorded. AI then translates this interview into text, classifies the obtained information, and systematizes the indicators requested by SISEMH. This allows public servants to focus on providing effective resolutions or appropriate referrals for the women assisted. It serves as a support tool for public service providers who are the first point of contact in assisting women victims of violence.

OlivIA does not interact directly with the victims but facilitates and reduces the time spent on administrative processes. This includes data collection, information systematization, and graphical support for decision-making in public policies.

Sustainable Chat (Antropomedia)

Sustainable Chat is an initiative of Antropomedia (Mexico and Switzerland). It is an artificial intelligence development trained with more than 2,000 cases of best practices in sustainable innovation, statistics, and specialized reports, all to inspire organizations and companies worldwide to have better arguments to innovate sustainably. Sustainable Chat was presented by His Excellency, the Ambassador of Switzerland in Mexico, Pietro Piffaretti, on October 5, 2023.

The diverse range of case studies exemplifies the transformative power of AI. These advancements are not just technological feats but are emblematic of a broader trend toward more personalized, efficient, and impactful nonprofit initiatives. The creative use of AI in projects like Sustainable Chat by Antropomedia or the depiction of environmental futures by WWF shows an unparalleled level of ingenuity and commitment to social causes. By leveraging the power of generative AI and other innovative technologies, organizations are setting new standards in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, paving the way for a more inclusive, sustainable, and technologically integrated future in the realm of social good.