Why embracing artificial intelligence early is the key to long-term impact

The pressure on the charity sector in 2024 and beyond is immense. With demand for services rising, nonprofits need to be able to deliver on goals efficiently, while balancing limited budgets and high donor expectations.

 

The evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years means now that charities can start thinking about how the technology will help them in their journey towards efficiency. With a wide variety of new AI tools available, they are able to reconsider the various tasks that AI can perform and help charity professionals redirect their energy to more impactful areas in the organisation.

 

However, there remains some hesitancy within the charity sector on where to begin with AI. The 2024 Nonprofit Pulse Report from Salesforce found that 22% of charities said they were optimistic but cautious about AI, while 23% wanted to learn more.  

 

The time to start is now. By integrating AI early, embedding it as part of their digital strategy as soon as possible, charities will be better able to achieve their goals, having planned accordingly for how technology can support them. These early-adopters will be better placed to build upon early successes, developing a scalable platform for future AI tools to better support beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers.

 

In this article, we explore how AI-empowered technology can accelerate timelines and lay the foundations for ongoing innovation in the charity sector.

 

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How can AI help charities become faster?

 

AI-powered technology can significantly reduce the time and effort it takes to implement new digital platforms compared to traditional, non-AI methods. Here’s how AI can speed up each phase of implementing new technology and how much time charities could save as a result.

 

 

Faster configuration and customisation

 

In a traditional set-up, implementing technology such as Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud or a similar CRM system involves complex manual configuration, data migration, and custom workflows. This can take weeks or even months to complete as organisations work to tailor the platform to their specific needs.

 

AI, on the other hand, automates much of the configuration and customisation. Pre-built templates and intelligent automation can set up workflows, data models, and reports based on best practices in the charity sector. This reduces the need for manual setup and specialised development work.

 

Savings estimate: Based on our historic benchmarks, AI-driven platforms can reduce configuration time by 30-50%. What would typically take 12-16 weeks for a charity could be reduced to six to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of the implementation.

 

 

Automated testing and quality assurance (QA)

 

Manual testing of new technology systems often requires significant time, particularly for ensuring data integrity and process functionality. This phase can take several months, with NGOs often relying on external vendors or consultants to assist.

 

Once again, AI automates many testing processes, including data validation and workflow performance testing. AI tools can continuously monitor the system, running simulations and tests that identify potential issues before they impact operations.

 

Savings estimate: AI can reduce testing times by 50-60%. A typical four-to-six week QA phase for a nonprofit could be reduced to two to three weeks, with fewer errors slipping through the cracks, meaning less re-working later.

 

 

Faster training and user adoption

 

For charities, staff and volunteer training are crucial to the success of any new technology. Traditional platforms require extensive training sessions, often spread over weeks, as users familiarise themselves with new processes and systems.

 

AI technology can assist with real-time, in-platform guidance for staff and volunteers. Personalised training modules and AI-powered help tools can guide users step-by-step, allowing them to quickly understand and adopt new systems.

 

Savings estimate: Training and adoption time can be reduced by 30-50%. A four-week training process could be shortened to two weeks or less, allowing staff and volunteers to start using the system more quickly and confidently.

 

 

Automating impact and donor reporting

 

One of the most time-consuming tasks for charities is preparing reports for donors, boards, and stakeholders, as well as tracking impact metrics. Traditional systems require manual input, data collection, and analysis, which can take weeks or even months to compile and present.

 

AI can automate much of the data collection and reporting process. By analysing real-time data, AI can generate reports on the fly, highlighting key metrics such as program outcomes, donor engagement, and financial performance. This reduces manual workload and allows organisations to provide real-time transparency to stakeholders.

 

Savings estimate: AI could reduce reporting time by over 50%, potentially cutting a three-month reporting cycle down to a month or less, depending on the size of the data and reporting requirements. This would also open the opportunity for real or near-time reporting, ad-hoc reporting, and drill-downs into report data and analysis.

 

 

Streamlined donor management and service delivery

 

Charities must often integrate their platforms with other tools – whether for managing donations, tracking program outcomes, or coordinating volunteers. Traditional systems require custom integration work, data mapping, and extensive testing, which can take several months.

 

AI simplifies the process by automating much of the integration work. Whether connecting a CRM with an email marketing tool or integrating with financial systems, AI can handle the bulk of the data mapping and testing automatically.

 

Savings estimate: Integration timelines can be shortened by 40-60%. What traditionally takes two to four months can be reduced to halved, allowing organisations to get up and running faster.

 

 

How can AI make charities more flexible?

 

By integrating AI from the outset of a digital project, charities not only implement technology faster but also build a flexible platform that can grow and adapt as the organisation evolves. This ensures that as new needs and opportunities arise, the organisation can scale its operations seamlessly.

 

 

Built-in flexibility for future needs

 

AI-powered platforms are inherently flexible. As the needs of the organisation change – whether it’s adjusting a fundraising campaign, modifying volunteer workflows, or expanding to new regions – AI can dynamically update workflows, data models, and reporting structures.

 

This ensures that charities aren’t locked into a fixed system but instead have a foundation that evolves over time.

 

 

AI agents and bots for enhanced support

 

One of the biggest benefits of building an ai-driven platform is the ability to easily integrate AI agents and bots to support both internal teams and beneficiaries. These tools can:

• Automate responses to donor inquiries, improving engagement.
• Assist staff and volunteers in navigating the platform, providing real-time support.
• Help beneficiaries by automating application processing or service delivery.

These capabilities allow charities to provide better services with fewer resources, while also improving both donor and beneficiary satisfaction.

 

 

Data-driven insights for better decision making

 

AI continuously learns from data, allowing charities to make faster, more informed decisions. Whether tracking program effectiveness or donor behaviour, AI provides real-time insights that allow organisations to respond quickly and optimise their strategies.

 

For example, AI can predict which fundraising campaigns are likely to succeed, highlight which regions need more support, and provide actionable insights for improving program outcomes. This makes AI not just a tool for implementation but an ongoing asset for impact.

 

 

How can AI deliver impact faster?

 

In a sector where every pound and every day matters, AI-powered platforms offer charities a powerful advantage. By using tools that have predictive and generative capability built into the workflow from the start, organisations can:

• Deliver technology solutions 30-50% faster than traditional methods
• Automate complex processes, freeing up staff and volunteer time for mission-critical work
• Build a scalable, flexible platform that can adapt to future needs, whether it’s expanding services or integrating AI agents for better support

The benefits of AI go beyond just efficiency – it provides organisations with the tools to better serve their communities, maximise their resources, and demonstrate greater transparency and impact to donors and stakeholders.

 

For charities seeking to make a bigger impact with fewer resources, AI-driven technology is no longer a luxury – it’s a necessity. By building with AI from day one, you not only accelerate your mission today but also future-proof your organisation for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

 

Start your AI journey today and see how technology can drive your mission forward faster than ever. The sooner you embrace AI, the quicker you’ll realise your goals and create lasting impact.