AI is everywhere right now – from writing content to answering questions and even creating art.  

And yes, it’s starting to make its mark in the charity sector too.  

But when it comes to AI in fundraising, there’s one thing we can’t emphasise enough: it all starts with your data. 

Let’s be honest – AI can’t work its magic on a spreadsheet here, a disconnected system there, and a few handwritten notes somewhere else. To do the clever stuff, like forecasting donations, suggesting the best time to ask or personalising supporter journeys, AI needs solid, connected and trustworthy data to work with. 

So, what can AI fundraising tools do for fundraisers right now? 

Actually, quite a bit. AI is already playing a valuable role in streamlining campaign delivery and helping time-strapped teams do more with less. Generative AI, in particular, is proving to be a real game-changer. For example: 

• Drafting funding or grant applications: AI can save you time and give you a head start. AI can use your existing case for support to frame answers to specific questions on a grant application form.
• Summarising reports: Instead of wading through pages of stats, AI can crunch reports down to the key takeaways. 
• Transcribing and summarising meeting notes: So you can be present in the conversation, without key points being missed. 

The real opportunity? Integrated insights across your whole organisation 

• Forecast income more accurately, because your fundraising and finance data are speaking the same language.
• Tailor donation asks based on real-time supporter behaviour, not last year’s data.
• Afford a digital army of subject matter experts giving advice and best practice to your team, in real-time.
• Get notified of over-reliance on a single income stream, with recommended options to diversify.

That kind of joined-up intelligence becomes possible when your systems are integrated and your data is clean, complete and connected. 

Why a charity CRM matters in all this 

This is where your CRM comes into its own – not just a database, it's a hub for all your data, across all departments. The right charity CRM system pulls everything – and everyone - together. 

What does that look like? A good CRM setup consolidates data from different tools and platforms, giving you a complete view of everything you need, in one place. It also ensures your data is secure, reliable and ready for AI analysis. 

“When I was working in a charity, I would’ve loved that AI could transform our data into real, actionable insights without all the heavy lifting. It’s not about jumping on the latest AI bandwagon though. It’s about getting your foundations right. This means, when you do start using AI in more ambitious ways, you can trust the insights it gives you.” 

Key to ethical and high-quality data is having a single source of truth and trust. A centralised, connected CRM system that AI can learn accurately from and build on. From donation history to volunteer engagement metrics, it gives AI the ingredients it needs to be effective and meaningful. 

Ethical data isn’t just about quality though - how that data is stored, processed and protected matters just as much. Using private solutions, rather than open tools, ensures your data is securely held within your own systems and not used to train external AI models.  

Take Access Evo - there are multiple layers of security in place to protect sensitive information. Data access is permissions-based, so users can only view what they’re authorised to see – supporting both compliance and internal data governance. And every individual's use of the AI tools is confidential, ensuring privacy is maintained across the board. 

It’s these guardrails – from privacy to permissions – that make AI not just powerful, but trustworthy too. 

A realistic path forward 

We’re optimistic about AI for charities and its potential – but we’re also realistic. You don’t need to overhaul everything overnight. Start with the basics: 

• Review where your data lives and how it's connected. 
• Prioritise data quality and security.
• Look for opportunities to unify your systems. 

As Shaf Mansour, Head of Product (Charity) at The Access Group points out: 

“The power of AI grows exponentially as it gains access to more connected and reliable data. As systems become more integrated and data quality improves, fundraisers will be able to use AI in ways that really make a difference. Improving your data is a great starting point for charities.” 

It’s a powerful vision – the potential for AI in fundraising is undoubtedly huge. But so much of it depends on getting the groundwork right. We’re excited about what’s possible – and we’ll be making sure the foundations are strong.