The 5 AI Tools Nonprofits Are Actually Using (Not Just Talking About)

Written By Shakura Conoly

AI isn’t the future anymore. It is what nonprofits are experimenting with right now. The trick is knowing where to start without getting lost in all the hype.

This guide pulls together what is actually working, where nonprofits are saving time, and what you can try this week.

Where Nonprofits Really Are

Let’s be honest. AI shows up at EVERY conference. But despite all the hype, most nonprofits are not all in, and they are not all out either. Let’s say they’re AI-curious. Just testing the waters, figuring out how to use it without draining too much time or too many resources.

And what is it used for? Drafting donor letters, grant proposals, and reports.
Translation: If you are experimenting, you are not behind. You are right on time.

5 Wins You Can See Today

1. Microsoft 365 Copilot
(AI assistant built into Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams. Free and paid versions.)

  • Community Rebuilders took meeting notes from hours to minutes by letting Copilot draft

  • Steel Hearts cut documentation time so clinicians could spend more time with people

Try this: Ask Copilot to turn a Teams transcript into a proposal in Word. Or let Excel explain your data in plain English. I personally appreciate Outlook’s quick replies (yep, those “Sounds good” or “Thanks for the update” suggestions are AI generated).

→ Look for the “Copilot” icon in your Microsoft apps

2. Canva’s Magic Tools
(Design platform with built-in AI. Nonprofit discounts available.)

  • AFSP saved 200+ staff hours with templates and Magic design

  • GivingTuesday used auto-translate to reach multilingual audiences

Try this: Magic Switch (resize your designs instantly) or Brand Voice (helps keep copy consistent)

→ Click “Magic Studio” in Canva’s left menu

3. ChatGPT
(Drafting, brainstorming, and analysis tool. Free plus $20 per month upgrade.)

  • American Cancer Society boosted donor conversions by 400%

  • TechSoup uses it for campaign names and survey analysis

Try this: Use project folders to organize prompts and responses by topic, use Connectors to link your Google Drive

→ Go to ChatGPT.com or download the app

Slack AI & Automations
(Built-in AI and workflows for teams. Free and paid plans.)

  • Housing Nonprofit (name not published) saved 15 hours each week by automating volunteer scheduling

Try this: Use AI search for quick answers or set up a donor thank-you workflow

→ Find “Automations” in Slack or type into the search bar

Mailchimp AI Features
(Email platform with smart subject lines and audience tools. Free plan and nonprofit discounts.)

  • An animal rescue group boosted click-throughs 25% with send-time optimization

Try this: Use the subject line helper or let Mailchimp group lapsed donors for you

→ Look for “Content Optimizer” when creating a campaign

What Gets in the Way

It is not disinterest. The barriers are real:

  • Not enough time or staff

  • Privacy worries (92% cautious without clear rules)

  • Lack of training and confidence

Start small, focus on safe tasks, and build from there. (TechSoup/Tapp Network 2025)

Quick Start Playbook

Set boundaries first. No donor or client data until your privacy policy is clear

  1. Pick one recurring task. Track time now, test an AI tool, and compare results

  2. Learn together. Block 30 minutes with your team to try, share wins, and laugh at the misfires

⚡ One-hour challenge: Pick a tool, test it for 30 minutes, and share your takeaway at lunch

Your Future Self Will Thank You

Your Future Self Will Thank You

AI is not a silver bullet. Ignoring it, though, puts you behind. Middle ground matters. Pick one tool, test for two weeks, and see what sticks.

Want a jumpstart? Download the Free AI Starter Toolkit for Nonprofits. It is the exact set of tools we are testing and learning from.

What is the first task you would automate at your nonprofit? Share your answer below so we can all learn faster together!

Shakura Conoly
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