AI in Fundraising: 3 time-savers that aren’t about writing
AI can help fundraisers save time beyond writing by spotting data trends, automating small admin tasks, and speeding up local research, as long as teams verify outputs and manage risks carefully.
AI gets a lot of attention for drafting and editing fundraising copy, for obvious reasons. But the time savings can go farbeyond that.
Using AI to support admin frees us up for more of the human stuff: building relationships, writing proposals, and supporting our beneficiaries.
Here are three practical ways fundraisers can use AI right now:
Spot trends in data
Ask AI to help you explore patterns in spreadsheets: summarising beneficiary feedback, organising event data, providing written analysis. It can’t replace the human eye, but it can point you to what’s worth investigating first.
Treat AI as a thinking partner for exploration. You must verify everything with your own reporting.
Automate small admin jobs
AI can save time on repetitive tasks like creating calendar invite files, formatting agendas, turning bullet points into action lists, and structuring follow-ups. I use ChatGPT to turn my course into a .ics file I can import into Outlook (give it some dates, and ask it for an .ics file).
Fundraising teams are busy, and good process can slip when capacity is stretched. If AI helps with admin basics, like clear notes and organised actions, you create a system that protects both productivity and wellbeing.
Research local news fast
Need quick context before a partnership chat or a community meeting? You can use AI to summarise local issues and help prepare relevant questions. Make sure you ask for sources, or personally verify key facts.
Remember the risks
Be mindful of free AI tools. If you are not paying, your data may be the product.
Journey to success:
- Build an AI working group.
- Write a policy and list of approved tools.
- Invest in paid tools.
- Create small low-risk experiments.
- Build skills through training.
Learn more at Grants Unlocked on Thursday 24 September
If you want more practical advice on writing stronger bids, building better relationships with funders, and using AI without losing your organisation’s voice, join Grants Unlocked 2026 on Thursday 24 September 2026.
The conference includes a dedicated panel on when and when not to use AI in grant fundraising, alongside sessions on storytelling, funder decision-making, impact, stewardship and grant strategy.
