Another year, another AFP ICON in the books!
From April 7-9, Microsoft Tech for Social Impact (TSI) team members and partners landed in Toronto for a chance to meet with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) community. As a former nonprofit practitioner, I certainly felt like I was coming home.
AFP ICON spanned a wide array of fundraising & development topics, but AI was a stand-out subject. We received a lot of AI-related questions over our three days on-site, and a few common themes emerged in our conversations:
1. Getting started with AI
“AI seems to be everywhere, but I’m not sure where to begin. How do I get started?”
If it’s any consolation, this is a common sentiment. When technology moves this fast, keeping up—let alone staying ahead—can feel like a challenge, especially for teams that are constantly strapped for time and resources.
Here are a few tips to get started:
- Take an education snack break: Everyone has a different learning style. Luckily, there are AI educational materials suited for all kinds of learners. Like to read? Maybe an AI for fundraisers guide is right for you. Is short form video more your speed? Check out Tips for Effective Prompts in Copilot (in less than one minute!) No matter what your learning style is, the Microsoft Digital Skills Center has you covered.
- Get messy: I love training, but my favorite way to learn is just getting my hands dirty! At Microsoft, Copilot for Microsoft 365 is our in-house AI assistant. In short – if I ask Copilot a question, it helps me find an answer.
- Learn about prompts: As a marketer, I often split my time between creative and analytical projects. Luckily, Copilot can help with both. But to be effective, I had to learn how to ask the right question – better known as a prompt:
- Start for free: Even if your organization hasn’t invested in Copilot for Microsoft 365 yet, you can practice your prompts on the web. Start with a small problem you want to solve (perhaps some donor investigating, like in the example above) and see how Copilot helps you along the way. If you need a guide, the Copilot Lab offers some excellent inspiration.
- Make it a team effort: The often quoted “if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together” is incredibly appropriate in this instance. Many people I spoke to at AFP ICON mentioned that they experimented with AI in their personal lives to find recipes or plan vacations but hadn’t begun practicing at work. If your organization has not rolled out a formal AI plan yet, start small – maybe your development team is working on an upcoming campaign. Get in a room together (in-person or virtually) and map out your fundraising goals and strategy. Once you have your roadmap, try Microsoft Copilot to 1) Draft a campaign narrative, 2) Pen supporting campaign emails, and 3) Create some social media posts. The Copilot response will change depending on the prompts you write, so this is a great exercise to brainstorm and generate ideas together – then, make them your own!
- Learn more about taking the first steps with AI.
2. Data safety and security
“I don’t understand how AI leverages my data. Is it secure?”
The answer to this one will depend on which AI tools you’re using. If you are leveraging a Microsoft solution, here’s what you need to know.
- Data security: As someone partial to an analogy, it helps me to think of data security as a castle with multiple layers of walls and gates. Each layer provides an additional level of protection, making it harder for unauthorized people to access the data. This is called a “defense-in-depth” approach:
- Data security best practices are a combination of the solutions you use, and how your organization chooses to use them. For more actionable ways to enhance your data security practices, explore our Data Security Best Practices - Microsoft Solutions Playbook.
- Data privacy: When your organization leverages Microsoft solutions, your data is your data. Your data isn’t being used to train other models. Customer control, transparency, security, defending data from third-party access, no content-based targeting, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations are our fundamental guiding principles. For a much deeper dive on this topic, explore our Privacy & data management learning path.
- Responsible AI principles: AI has been around and in our lives for much longer than most realize. For years, six key principles have been at the core of Microsoft’s responsible AI philosophy: accountability, inclusiveness, reliability and safety, fairness, transparency, and privacy and security. This website provides a comprehensive overview that further explains how AI systems are developed responsibly and in ways that warrant people's trust: Responsible AI Principles and Approach | Microsoft AI.
3. Talking to donors about AI
“I have a donor interested in funding some AI projects for our organization. How do I begin to have that conversation?”
This was by far one of the most interesting and unexpected repeat questions we received at the conference. I often find myself in conversations about the overhead myth and the challenges associated with raising general operating funds. However, with AI in the popular imagination, it is not only a tool that fundraisers can leverage in their day-to-day work, but it’s also an operational expense that can generate buzz. Here are a few ways to start that donor conversation:
- Donor analysis:
- After expressing gratitude for a donor’s interest in supporting your organization’s AI initiatives, try to assess their specific motivations. What do they think AI will do for the organization?
- With those points in mind, share insights about how AI can enhance your nonprofit’s impact. For instance, discuss how AI can analyze donor data to identify new sources, predict giving behavior, and suggest personalized engagement strategies: Donor Engagement and Fundraising Platform | Microsoft for Nonprofits.
- Project overview:
- Provide a concise overview of the AI projects you plan to undertake. Make sure you spotlight the potential benefits, such as improved efficiency, better decision-making, or enhanced services.
- Since operations alone often aren’t enough, explain how these projects align with your nonprofit’s mission and long-term goals. For instance, spending less time on administrative work can give your staff more time to engage directly with the community.
- Use relatable examples or success stories from other nonprofits that have successfully implemented AI solutions: Microsoft Customer Story-Florida nonprofit Agape Source scales to support more newcomers through AI-....
- Transparency and accountability:
- Assure the donor that their contribution will be used effectively and transparently. Discuss how you plan to allocate funds specifically for AI projects.
- Be prepared to address any questions about data privacy, ethical considerations, and potential risks associated with AI. (See question 2 above!)
- Offer regular updates on project progress and impact. Donors appreciate knowing how their investment is making a difference.
We’re so excited about the potential of what AI can do to accelerate the missions of nonprofits around the world. For more ideas on how to get started, visit us at aka.ms/AmplifyCreativity.
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