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Writer's picturePatrick Kirby

The Future of Nonprofits: How to Ensure Your Skills are AI-Proof

As a nonprofit fundraiser, you know that every dollar counts when it comes to achieving your organization's mission. That's why it's so important to find creative, effective ways to raise funds and engage with donors.


Enter Chat GPT, the groundbreaking language model developed by OpenAI.


At first glance, Chat GPT might seem like just another chatbot tool. But the benefits of using Chat GPT for your nonprofit go far beyond automating customer service or answering FAQs. Here are a few ways Chat GPT can help you fundraise awesomer:


Personalized communication: Chat GPT can create personalized, human-like responses to donor inquiries, ensuring that every donor feels heard and valued. This level of personalized communication can help build trust and strengthen relationships with your donors.


Increased efficiency: Chat GPT can handle a high volume of inquiries, freeing up time and resources for your team to focus on other important tasks. This can lead to increased efficiency and productivity, which can ultimately translate into more funds raised for your cause.


Enhanced donor experience: Chat GPT can provide a seamless, convenient experience for donors, allowing them to get the information they need and make donations at any time of day. This can lead to increased donor satisfaction and loyalty, which can lead to long-term support for your organization.


This, my friends, is an extremely powerful tool that can help your nonprofit fundraise more effectively and efficiently. By leveraging the power of personalized communication, increased efficiency, and an enhanced donor experience, Chat GPT can help you take your fundraising efforts to the next level.


But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.


Analysts predict that by 2030, as much as 50% of all current jobs may be lost or replaced by artificial intelligence (AI), it's crucial for individuals working in the nonprofit industry to remain relevant in the age of AI. But how can we do that?


First, it's important to understand which jobs are likely to be made obsolete by AI. These may include data entry, customer service, copywriting, proofreading, editing, graphic design, and certain administrative positions in fields like accounting and legal.


But don't despair! While AI may be able to handle certain tasks, it is not capable of possessing the so-called "soft skills" or "human skills" that are necessary for many jobs. These skills, which include communication, leadership, conflict resolution, negotiation, empathetic listening, and connection, are what set us apart from machines.


AI may be able to analyze data and provide information, but it is up to human beings to use that information to make actionable decisions, lead within collaborative team environments, strategize, identify opportunities, make discoveries, and build consensus. Even in the legal field, while AI may be able to provide data, it is still the job of human lawyers and judges to interpret the law and resolve contract disputes.


That's why it's important for individuals in the nonprofit industry, as well as for our children, to invest in developing these soft skills. These are the skills that will transcend the rise of the robots and ensure that we remain relevant and valuable in the workforce.


Want to avoid being replaced by a collective AI processing system? Well, you’re in the right industry to start. A bit of self reflection on what you’re really good at, what you need improvement on, and what niche you can solidify as being invaluable to organizations is going to be critical.


So, here’s a list of some of the best soft skills to learn or enhance to make sure you stay a little less robotic...and a lot more human:


1. Effective communication is essential for raising money for nonprofits. This can include writing compelling grant proposals and donor communications, making persuasive pitches to potential donors, and clearly communicating the mission and impact of the organization to stakeholders.


2. Leadership skills can also be beneficial in fundraising for nonprofits. This can involve setting a clear vision and direction for the organization, motivating and inspiring others to get involved, and guiding the organization towards its fundraising goals.


3. Conflict resolution skills can be useful in navigating any potential disputes or misunderstandings that may arise during the fundraising process. This could include resolving conflicts with donors or team members, or finding ways to resolve any roadblocks that may be preventing the organization from meeting its fundraising goals.


4. Negotiation skills can also be valuable in the fundraising process, particularly when seeking funding from corporate sponsors or negotiating the terms of a grant.


5. Empathetic listening is important for building and maintaining relationships with donors, as it helps to show that the organization values their input and is interested in their needs. This can be particularly useful when seeking support from major donors or building long-term relationships with foundation funders.


6. Finally, the ability to make connections and network is essential for nonprofits looking to raise money. This can involve building relationships with potential donors, connecting with other organizations or individuals who may be able to support the organization's mission, and identifying new opportunities for funding.


Now, want to know the scariest part of this blog?


90% of it was written, by Chat GPT – the newest AI product to make my head explode. A few quick prompts to tell it what I wanted to know, and in less than 10 seconds it popped out a 500 word blog post that sounded pretty damn great.


It hasn’t developed a personality yet – that kind of “oh, this sounds like something that Patrick over at Do Good Better would write” – but it’s coming soon. In fact, adding a particular ask to sound like famous writers and philosophers is already available. Its creepy and cool and downright fascinating to work with.


And it can be used for good. A lot of good.


Think about the time you’ll save with copy, with email responses, with appeal writing. It’s going to give you back time to connect with your donors, allow you to call them and just chat about life, and give you space to develop amazing relationships.


Because that's what it can't do...be a human being. It can't have coffee. It can't make eye contact. It can't high five. It can't hug.


But it can write a blog and give you an extra hour to make a connection.


I, for one, can’t wait to see what this brings. And can’t wait to share what I find with you.


I also can’t wait to watch fundraisers with very few resources able to play in the same sandbox as the big kids.


AI is about to level the playing field for knowledge…and let personality and personalization be the determining factors on why folks give, support and cheerlead nonprofits. And that? That's what helps insulate you from your career being taken by a computer.


Need help navigating this crazy world? We’re here to help! Connect with us or send me a quick note at Patrick@DoGoodBetterConsulting.com and we’ll chat about AI, Fundraising, special event curation and more to help you Do Good. Better.


You got this!


-Patrick

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