AI is not going anywhere. It’s touching just about every industry, including nonprofits. When used strategically, it can boost efficiency and make organizations more effective. Eric Molho is the Founder and Principal of Bon Partners, a consulting agency focused on nonprofits. He outlined specific steps nonprofits should take to integrate AI into their operations in his discussion with Teak Media Founder and President Jackie Russell on our recent Talking Nonprofits with Teak Media podcast.
Q: What is the central challenge nonprofits face that AI can help address?
A: I think AI has tremendous promise for many of our nonprofits. Nonprofits have ambitious goals and important missions but operate with limited resources including time, money and people. AI offers a solution to build capacity by increasing efficiency without needing to hire more staff or spend more money.
Q: What made Bon Partners decide to get involved with AI in the nonprofit sector?
A: I was exposed to AI about a year ago and quickly realized its potential to help my business and my nonprofit clients become more efficient. I then started presenting and sharing this knowledge with nonprofits across the country.
Q: What are some of the problems nonprofits face when integrating AI?
A: AI is new technology. We’re all learning it. Problems include being stretched thin with limited resources, a hesitation or feeling of “cheating” when using AI, and a lack of skills or organizational learning about the new technology.
Q: What should nonprofits do to overcome these challenges?
A: First, look at your to-do list to identify tasks that are time-consuming or unenjoyable. Consider how AI tools might help make them more efficient. Next, start talking about AI with your staff. Ask who is already using AI, how they are using it effectively, and where they are finding success. This will help build a culture of sharing and learning. Finally, jump in and try it. Don’t expect it to solve everything at once. Pick a smaller project and see how AI can help improve efficiency. The more you use these tools, the more uses you will discover.
Q: Do nonprofits need to establish a formal AI policy?
A: Yes. All nonprofit organizations need to get moving quickly to develop a written AI policy to ensure everyone knows what is fair, what is appropriate, and what they shouldn’t be doing when using AI tools.
Q: What are some specific results you are seeing from clients leveraging AI?
A: Some of our clients have successfully used AI to accelerate their data analysis. It’s also improved their grant writing. AI can quickly check if every question in an application is answered, if the client is making a compelling case, and if the answers meet the word limits. AI can also help with fundraising – analyzing donor data, helping set up tests for email vs. print campaigns, determining optimal sending times, and developing stewardship plans that work for organizations with limited resources.
Q: What is the overall benefit of AI for nonprofits?
A: AI can save nonprofits significant time, allowing them to focus more on their mission and the work that truly drives them.You can find a link to the full video version of this interview here.
