Key Takeaways from Our Group Therapy for Nonprofit Fundraisers Session
If you’ve been feeling behind on AI, you’re in good company. Our recent Group Therapy Talk brought together fundraisers, executive directors, and nonprofit leaders for an honest, practical conversation about AI in grant writing and fundraising. Here’s what we walked away with.
The stakes are too high to sit this one out
Many nonprofits are hesitant to adopt AI, but Grantable CEO Philip Deng reminded us that nobody in the private sector is losing sleep over this. If the mission-driven organizations doing the hardest, most important work opt out, they risk falling further and further behind. The goal isn’t to use AI for everything. It’s to make sure the people trying to change the world have access to the same tools as everyone else.
The capacity gains are real, especially for small teams
This is where AI has the potential to be genuinely transformative. One participant on the call described getting through her 15th letter of inquiry in a week, something that simply wouldn’t have been possible without AI support. For small development teams already stretched thin, AI can open up real capacity: drafting, database cleanup, prioritizing your week, automating repetitive tasks. It doesn’t replace your voice or your relationships. It clears enough space for you to actually use them.
Funders can tell, but it’s not really about AI
Yes, funders are noticing a shift, and the volume of applications is increasing. But the issue isn’t AI itself, it’s applications that haven’t been thoughtfully reviewed before hitting send. The solution isn’t to avoid AI; it’s to keep human eyes and judgment in the process. Philip made a compelling case that the sector needs better shared norms here, rather than blunt “no AI” policies that inadvertently penalize transparency.
AI is a tool, not a strategy
SparkPoint Founder Whitney Brimfield put it plainly: you have to understand your fundraising strategy before you slot in tools to support it. If your goal is building relationships with funders (and it should be!) AI works best in the background. As Philip framed it, AI behind you is helpful; AI between you and a funder is where things get risky.
Start with the skepticism, not the solution
When your team or leadership is divided on AI, resist the urge to push past the discomfort. Philip’s advice: investigate the concern first. What specifically worries people? Data privacy? Quality? Ethics? Often, the fear is based on incomplete information, and a real conversation about the actual risks (and myths) can help your team get on the same page.
Policy paralysis is real, don’t let it win
Philip’s take: if you’re still months away from rolling out an AI policy, you’re already behind, and whatever you write will be outdated by the time it’s approved. Instead, set a few non-negotiables around data safety, then adopt a continuous learning mindset. His “science fair” model, giving everyone access to a paid AI account and space to experiment, then sharing what they find, is a low-stakes way to get a team moving together.
Watch the full webinar for more insights!
This conversation is part of our ongoing Group Therapy for Nonprofit Fundraisers series. Have a topic you want us to tackle next? We’d love to hear from you.