Anchored Thought w/ Dr. CA Hixson

Follow @drcahixson on Micro.blog.

Kevin Peters - Beyond the Hype: How AI is and will Reshaping Nonprofit Marketing and Fundraising

Kevin Peters is from Avid AI - Avid AI sits on top of the data to support marketing and fundraising

AI definitions for this session. There are four times of AI in the context of nonprofits:

  • Machine Learning (ML)
  • Large Language Models (LLMs)
  • AI Agents
  • Very Scary Robots

He won’t be talking about the last two types (he’ll only discuss ML and LLMs)

ML

ML takes 3 key forms in today’s nonprofit software

  • segmentation
  • projections
  • personalization

The more donors share the more they give. This includes if they share to multiple organizations. If they share to multiple organizations, they’ll give more to all organizations.

There is a potential problem with the current ML models. ROI is 80 cents on the dollar.

  • For nonprofits nationally (globally?) fewer and fewer donors are providing the majority of the revenue.

ML Models should be made if they’ll

  • reduce cost
  • improve personalization –> key area to future growth

Realistically, you should have 5K+ donors in order to create a good model (rough estimate). Also, are you collecting enough and the right data to make a good model?

What are segments worth modeling?

  • those who are likely to respond (direct mail, text, calling)
  • those who are likely to upgrade
  • those who are likely to give a recurring gifts
  • those who are in affinity groups

Technology to consider:

  • Fundraise Up
    • Smart Donation Amount Adjustments
    • Overcoming cart abandonment
  • Wiland
  • Donor Bureau
  • Dataro

LLMs

There is a definite problem with scraping the internet for data.

LLMs didn’t know what good looked like.

Remember you market to your actual donor pool.

LLMs are good for:

  • Summarizing donor reports
  • Write fundraising copy
  • Scale personalization
  • Let the LLM become the fundraiser

Technology to consider:

  • Zapier
  • ChatGPT
  • Avid (presenter self-promotion)

General Advice and Pitfalls with Marketing

  • Do they like text or images more?
  • How would they like to get their communication?
  • Most major donors give a first gift of <$250.
  • Ask an AI client for help overcoming behavioral psychology issues.
  • Grok is better for marketing copy

People give to people!!!

  • Is the LLM removing “the people”?

A Technology to Know About

  • Version2.ai - AI bot that can build relationships with donors. Basically acts like

Conversation