The Best AI Tools to Help Nonprofits Get Funded

Why AI Tools for Fundraising Are Changing the Nonprofit Game

AI tools for fundraising are software platforms that help nonprofits raise more money by automating tasks, predicting donor behavior, and generating content — faster and smarter than traditional methods alone.

Here are the top AI tools nonprofits are using right now:

Tool	Best For	Type
DonorSearch AI	Donor prospecting & scoring	Predictive
Dataro	Campaign targeting & ROI	Predictive
Squark AI	No-code donor predictions	Predictive
ChatGPT	Grant writing & outreach copy	Generative
Gemini	Content creation & event planning	Generative
CharityScribe	Grant writing & donor research	Generative
Raise by Gravyty	Donor engagement & outreach	Automation
Avid	End-to-end fundraising automation	Automation

Fundraising has always been about relationships and trust. But today, nonprofits are under pressure to do more with less. Donor lists are growing. Staff capacity is shrinking. And competition for funding is fierce.

That’s where AI comes in.

Over half of nonprofits are already using AI in some capacity. And the results are hard to ignore — 30% report that AI tools have directly increased their fundraising revenue in the past year. Even more telling: 74% of online donors actually want nonprofits to use AI to improve their outreach and operations.

Yet 92% of nonprofits still feel unprepared for the shift. Most don’t even have a basic AI usage policy in place.

The gap between early adopters and everyone else is growing fast. This guide is here to help you close it.

I’m digitaljeff — futurist, tech entrepreneur, and content strategist with 20+ years helping brands use emerging technology to scale their reach and impact. My work at the intersection of digital media and innovation gives me a front-row seat to how AI tools for fundraising are reshaping what’s possible for mission-driven organizations. Let’s break down exactly which tools are worth your time.

Easy AI tools for fundraising glossary:

• AI tools for CRM
• AI tools for customer service
• AI tools for email marketing

The Power of AI Tools for Fundraising

When we talk about AI tools for fundraising, we aren’t talking about replacing the “heart” of your mission. Instead, we’re talking about giving your team a superpower. Traditional fundraising often relies on manual spreadsheets, “gut feelings” about which donors to call, and hours of repetitive administrative work. AI flips the script by using data to tell you exactly where to focus your energy.

The primary shift is from reactive to proactive. Instead of waiting for a donor to lapse, AI can flag a “at-risk” donor before they stop giving. Instead of staring at a blank page for a grant proposal, AI can draft a solid first version in seconds. This level of administrative efficiency allows small teams to behave like massive development departments.

Predictive AI Tools for Fundraising and Donor Behavior

Predictive AI is the “crystal ball” of the nonprofit world. It looks at your historical donor data—how much they gave, how often, and their philanthropic history elsewhere—to predict what they will do next.

• DonorSearch AI: This tool is a heavy hitter for prospect research. It uses a massive proprietary database of philanthropic giving to score your donors. We’ve seen that mature users of this tech can experience up to an 85% increase in response rates. It’s particularly good at finding “hidden gems” in your database—people who have the capacity to give much more but haven’t been asked yet.
• Dataro: If you’ve ever struggled with direct mail or digital appeal lists, Dataro is a game-changer. It integrates with your CRM to generate “propensity scores.” It tells you who is most likely to give to a specific campaign, who might become a monthly sustainer, and who is likely to leave a gift in their will. Some organizations have seen an 83% increase in recurring gift conversions just by targeting the right people.
• Squark AI: We love Squark because it’s a no-code platform. You don’t need a data scientist to use it. You simply “drag and drop” your donor data, and it provides plain-language recommendations. It helps answer the question: “What should I do next for this specific donor?” This type of predictive modeling can reduce donor acquisition costs by as much as 50%.

Feature	Predictive AI	Generative AI
Primary Goal	Forecast behavior & trends	Create new content
Best Use Case	Donor scoring & churn risk	Grant writing & emails
Data Source	Historical donor records	Large Language Models (LLMs)
Output	Probability scores & segments	Text, images, & drafts

Generative AI Tools for Fundraising and Content Creation

While predictive AI handles the “who” and “when,” generative AI handles the “what.” This is the tech that helps you communicate your social impact effectively.

• ChatGPT & Gemini: These are the most accessible AI tools for fundraising for daily tasks. They are excellent for brainstorming event themes, drafting personalized donor outreach, and summarizing long board reports. Gemini, in particular, has a curated prompt library specifically for nonprofits to help with grant writing and donation encouragement.
• CharityScribe: This is a specialized platform built by fundraising professionals. Unlike generic AI, it’s designed specifically for the nuances of the nonprofit sector. It features tools like an “AI Prospecting Engine” to find institutional funders and a “Grant Editor” to tailor proposals to a specific funder’s mission. It’s like having a senior development consultant on staff 24/7.
• Raise by Gravyty: Think of this as an AI co-pilot for your frontline fundraisers. It analyzes your CRM data and then pops up with daily “action prompts.” It might say, “Today is the best time to email Sarah; here is a draft based on her last gift to the scholarship fund.” This helps fundraisers scale their outreach without losing the personal touch.

Top Free and Low-Cost AI Options for Nonprofits

We know that for many small organizations, even a small monthly fee can be a hurdle. The good news is that you can start using AI today without spending a dime.

1. Google for Nonprofits: This is a must-have. Eligible organizations can get access to Gemini (Google’s AI assistant) and up to $10,000 per month in search ads through Google Ad Grants. This allows you to use AI-powered search marketing to drive traffic to your donation pages for free.
2. Free Tiers of ChatGPT: You don’t need the paid version to get value. You can use the “custom instructions” or “memory” features to tell the AI about your nonprofit’s mission, tone, and goals. This ensures every draft it produces sounds like your organization.
3. Prompt Libraries: Organizations like CharityScribe and Google offer free libraries of prompts. Instead of guessing what to ask the AI, you can copy and paste proven formulas for grant applications or social media posts.

For more resources on getting started without a budget, check out our guide on AI tools online free.

Ethical Implementation and Measuring Success

Harnessing the power of AI comes with a massive responsibility. Because fundraising is built on trust, any misuse of data can damage your reputation permanently. We always recommend that nonprofits move quickly but carefully.

Responsible AI Frameworks and Data Privacy

You shouldn’t just plug donor data into any random website. Data privacy is paramount. Organizations should look toward frameworks like Fundraising.AI, which focuses on privacy, security, and data ethics.

• Transparency: Be open with your donors about how you use tech. Most donors (74%) are fine with AI if it helps the mission, but they hate feeling “tricked” by a bot.
• Bias Mitigation: AI models can sometimes inherit biases from the data they are trained on. Always have a human review AI-generated segments to ensure you aren’t accidentally excluding certain groups.
• Compliance: If you are a healthcare or educational nonprofit, you must ensure your AI tools are HIPAA or FERPA compliant. Platforms like Raise by Gravyty prioritize these integrations to keep data secure.

If you’re just starting out, our AI tools for beginners guide covers the basics of setting up your first ethical usage policy.

Tracking ROI and Fundraising Performance Metrics

How do you know if your AI tools for fundraising are actually working? You have to track the metrics that matter.

1. Response Rates: Are more people opening your emails and clicking “donate”? Dataro users often see significant lifts here because the messages are more relevant.
2. Donor Journey Speed: Measure how long it takes to move a new prospect to their first major gift. On average, AI can help move donors through this pipeline about 17% faster.
3. Average Gift Size: Predictive AI helps you ask for the “right” amount. Instead of a generic $50 ask, the AI might suggest $72.50 based on that specific donor’s wealth markers, leading to a 20% increase in average gift amounts.
4. Retention Rate: This is the ultimate metric. AI is incredible at spotting “at-risk” donors. If you can use AI to rescue just 5% of your lapsing donors, the ROI on the software is usually covered ten times over.

For more on managing these data points, explore our insights on AI tools for CRM.

Conclusion: Scaling Your Mission with CheatCodesLab

At CheatCodesLab, we believe that technology should empower creators and change-makers, not overwhelm them. While AI can feel like magic, it’s really just a very sophisticated tool in your belt. The “secret sauce” of fundraising will always be the human connection—the coffee meetings, the heartfelt thank-you calls, and the shared passion for a cause.

AI tools like Avid and Squark AI are designed to handle the “grunt work” so you can get back to those human moments. By automating the data entry, the research, and the first drafts, you give your team the gift of time.

As you begin your journey, AI literacy is a growing skill—up 177% on LinkedIn in just the last year. Don’t be afraid to start small. Use a free tool to draft your next newsletter, or use a predictive tool to analyze your last campaign.

Ready to dive deeper into tech-driven growth? Explore our other technology categories to find the “cheat codes” your nonprofit needs to thrive in the digital age. Success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter with the right tools in your corner.