Breaking Down AI vs Human-Created Content from a Fundraising Perspective

While AI takes over some business tasks, there is one thing it can’t do.

By AJ Loper

There’s been a lot of talk about AI. Everywhere you turn, there are articles on the top AI tools for nonprofits or podcasts on how to use AI to your advantage. One must wonder: At what point does the pursuit of efficiency conflict with the human-driven missions of the nonprofit sector? Can we reap the benefits of technology without feeling, for lack of a better word, icky about it?

What is AI, Exactly?

Normally, when we think of AI, we picture something otherworldly, even alien, in its qualities. But, according to NASA, artificial intelligence (AI) simply refers to computer systems that can perform tasks typically done by human reasoning, decision-making, and creation. As I write this article, Grammarly has underlined this definition of AI and asked me if I want to add it to Knowledge Share, a feature used by the app to capture common terms, and — you guessed it — source as collective intelligence. That is AI. 

The Efficiency Equation

Though it’s been a slower adoption for nonprofits, AI usage, including in various business-related tasks, has started to become the norm. According to BDO’s 2024 Nonprofit Benchmarking Survey, 82% of nonprofits nationwide report using AI in some capacity.

“Of those [82%], the majority are applying it to internal operations: 44% are using AI for financial tasks like budgeting and payment automation, and 36% are applying it to program optimization and impact assessment. The focus, in other words, is administrative efficiency — not mission delivery,” wrote Kerem Gülen, in 82% of nonprofits use AI: Almost none are regulating it.

In many ways, it makes sense for nonprofits to adopt tools that allow for efficiency, considering their funding continues to be at risk. The questions that should be asked are how much moral currency are we willing to pay for that efficiency, and is it tangible and measurable?

Logistical and Technical Considerations

Beyond the ethical implications of AI usage, there have been plenty of examples of its ineffectiveness in recent news. Take, for instance, the Deloitte debacle, which landed the company’s Australian firm in hot water after an AI-generated report for a government agency contained errant information, including references to non-existent academic research papers and a fabricated quote from a federal court judgment.

The fact is, there continue to be opportunities for errors to slip through the cracks due to a lack of oversight. As much as we hope AI can address the problems that our human capacities cannot, it remains a system replete with its own unique flaws.

Human Work for a Human Cause

While there is plenty to consider regarding the technical and ethical risks associated with AI in fundraising, ultimately, everything comes back to people. For research or ideation, it may be an adequate complement to the work, but there is something the Great & Powerful AI cannot provide: stories. 

According to FundsforNGOs.org, where AI can potentially excel in data and metrics, it falls short in building relationships and showing the wholehearted parts of what makes us human. 

“Grant proposals require a deep understanding of the community’s needs and the organization’s mission — elements that AI may struggle to fully comprehend,” according to this article.

AI also proves to be part of an inequitable system, where its advantages disproportionately benefit the privileged, and advancement is driven by profit motives. In a sector that aims to uplift communities, AI could harm or hinder those voices.

Instead of placing all our eggs in a basket with many holes, what if we carry our eggs in our own two human hands? After all, it is that human touch that connects us, and this is ever more important and true in the space of philanthropy. Only you know your community’s stories, and they deserve to be told with dignity, compassion, and celebration. 

Using AI Responsibly

So, what is the answer to marrying the use of efficient, though problematic, resources and tools to the missions and work of our inherently human-centric organizations? For starters, creating an AI policy can help organizations stay aligned with their vision and keep everyone on the same page. 

At Write On Fundraising, we have established guiding principles and usage protocols for AI, just like we would for any other standard of procedure. We stand by our “Read Only” mantra with any AI-produced content. The Write On AI policy also includes the following guidelines:

When creating an organizational policy, make sure to map out how AI truly affects your community members. Auditing the tools you choose to utilize is a thoughtful way to approach AI adoption. Just like any other platform we use, these tools should be vetted for usability and functionality.

Another measure that can be taken to ensure the transparency and regulation of emerging tech is through advocating for oversight and governance. With all the priorities and demands that nonprofits face, this can seem like a heavy load to bear, but the costs could be even greater if advocacy is not put front and center. 

Trial attorney William K. Holland put it best in How Nonprofits Can Help Shape AI Governance:

“If nonprofits don’t step in, the risk isn’t just that AI systems will become more inequitable – it’s that these inequities will be automated, normalized, and made invisible.” 

Fundraising in a Time of ChatGPT

Ultimately, since there are no established rules or oversight regarding AI, nonprofits must examine all the ethical and moral complexities it brings, as well as the facets of humanity we hold dear, to determine the extent to which this powerful machine can be integrated into the work. Technology is ever-changing and continues to interrupt the way we approach fundraising and nonprofit service in general. What’s most important is to consider our goals and create a thoughtful, internal policy that the organization can live with.

At least for now.