October 28, 2024 • 18 mins
Unlock the future of nonprofit success with ChatGPT as your intelligent ally. Ever wondered how artificial intelligence can do more than just draft emails? Dive into a world where ChatGPT revolutionizes nonprofit operations, from automating data tasks to crafting strategic plans and designing dynamic dashboards. We'll reveal practical insights on managing data with precision and creating powerful Excel formulas, freeing up your time to focus on what truly matters—driving your mission forward. If you're ready to transform your nonprofit's efficiency, this episode is your guide to harnessing AI's full potential.
Join us as we explore ChatGPT's role in optimizing nonprofit activities, particularly in volunteer and project management. Discover how AI can tailor onboarding materials, streamline scheduling, and generate customized checklists and timelines, ensuring smooth operations and effective communication. As your personal research assistant, ChatGPT simplifies complex reports and uncovers grant opportunities, all while adhering to essential ethical standards. We emphasize the importance of privacy, transparency, and inclusivity, ensuring your nonprofit's integrity remains intact. This comprehensive look at AI’s capabilities will inspire you to embrace technology as a strategic partner in your mission-driven journey.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Keith Greer, CFRE (00:04):
Hey, there, hi, and welcome back ambitious
fundraisers.
You're listening to let's TalkFundraising, the podcast where
we dive deep into ideas andtools that can help nonprofits
do more, raise more and make aneven bigger impact.
I'm Keith Greer, and todaywe're talking about something
that could be a real gamechanger for your organization
(00:25):
how to tap into the fullpotential of ChatGPT beyond just
basic messaging.
Now, I know a lot of us thinkof ChatGPT as a handy tool for
quick responses or drafting anemail, but what if I told you it
could help us do so much more?
We're talking about automatingdata tasks, brainstorming new
(00:46):
fundraising ideas, even mappingout strategic plans.
This episode is all aboutthinking outside the box and
leveraging ChatGPT in creativeways that could transform how
your organization operates.
I know in the nonprofit world,we're often trying to stretch
every dollar, every resource andevery minute of our day, so
(01:09):
today's episode is about showingyou how ChatGPT can be one more
tool in your toolkit, helpingyou streamline processes,
generate fresh ideas and findefficiencies that free you up to
focus on what really mattersdriving your mission forward.
Whether you're just curious oralready a little familiar with
(01:29):
AI tools, I think you'll walkaway from this episode with some
fresh, actionable ways tomaximize ChatGPT's potential for
your work.
So let's talk fundraising, let'stalk fundraising, all right.
(01:52):
So let's kick things off with aquick refresher on what ChatGPT
actually is.
Chatgpt is a type of AIlanguage model, which means it's
designed to understand andgenerate text that sounds
remarkably human.
You can ask it a question, giveit a task or even just start a
conversation, and it'll respondin a way that feels natural and
engaging.
Now, most people know ChatGPTas a helpful assistant for
(02:14):
drafting emails, answering FAQsor maybe creating some social
media posts and yeah, it'sfantastic at all of that.
But what's exciting and whatwe'll dive into today, is how
ChatGPT can help with so muchmore than just those
surface-level tasks.
It's capable of doing a lot ofthe heavy lifting behind the
(02:34):
scenes, especially forfundraisers and nonprofit teams,
who need to maximize their timeand their resources.
Let me give you an example andtheir resources.
Let me give you an example.
Picture this Instead of justanswering donor emails or
crafting appeal letters, what ifChatGPT could actually help you
manage complex data tasks ordevelop strategic plans?
(02:55):
That's right.
It can assist with everythingfrom building intricate Excel
formulas to developingdashboards tailored to your
metrics and even brainstorminginnovative fundraising ideas.
There's so much untappedpotential here.
Today, I'm here to challengeyou to look at ChatGPT as more
than just a virtual assistancefor surface-level communication.
(03:17):
It can actually be a strategically, helping you make smarter
data-driven decisions,streamline daily processes and
focus more on the big picturework that fuels your
organization's mission.
All right, so let's talk data,specifically how ChatGPT can
take some of the tedium out ofmanaging and analyzing it.
(03:38):
If you've ever spent hours in aspreadsheet trying to figure
out a formula or pullingtogether reports, you know that
data work can be a huge timesink.
But here's the thing ChatGPTcan actually help you with a lot
of that heavy lifting,especially when it comes to
building out Excel sheets orGoogle sheets.
Let's start with spreadsheetcreation.
(03:59):
Imagine being able to tellChatGPT, in plain English,
something like create a formulato calculate the average
donation per month, but excludeany amounts below $10.
It'll generate the formula foryou.
No need to be a math whiz orremember every Excel function.
And that's just one example.
You can even ask it to createmulti-page workbooks that track
(04:23):
different metrics like donorretention rates, monthly revenue
or even event attendance.
This can give you a moreorganized, holistic view of your
fundraising efforts without allof the manual setup.
But let's take it up a notch,because spreadsheets are one
thing, but what if you want adynamic dashboard that gives you
and your team a visual snapshotof what's going on?
(04:46):
Chatgpt can help you outlinewhat that dashboard could look
like for different audiences.
Maybe your board wants to seehigh-level trends, like annual
revenue growth, while yourdevelopment team needs a deeper
dive into donor demographics orcampaign-specific results.
Demographics orcampaign-specific results you
(05:07):
can ask ChatGPT for thestructure and it'll suggest
fields, formulas and evenpotential visualizations that
make your data easy tounderstand at a glance.
Plus, it can streamline dataentry, suggesting ways to
auto-populate fields acrossdifferent reports.
For example, if you need datafrom your CRM to appear in your
monthly finance reports, chatgptcan help you set up the
(05:29):
formulas or your importfunctions needed to make that
happen automatically.
And what about accuracy?
We'd all know how crucial it isto make sure our data is
correct, especially when itcomes to reporting revenue,
donor information or financialmetrics.
Chatgpt can actually serve as abit of a proofreader for your
data.
(05:49):
Let's say you have complexcalculations across multiple
sheets.
You can have ChatGPT review thelogic behind those calculations
, making sure they're structuredproperly to avoid errors.
It can even help you set upconsistency checks to make sure
your data entries align acrossreports and databases.
This not only saves time, buthelps prevent those last-minute
(06:11):
panic moments where you'regetting ready to present data to
leadership or the board.
So, to sum it up, chatgpt canhelp automate the manual,
repetitive tasks involved indata management From creating
complex spreadsheets todesigning interactive dashboards
, to double-checking dataaccuracy.
Imagine freeing up hours eachweek just by streamlining these
(06:33):
tasks.
That's time you can now spendon outreach strategy or
connecting with your donorsthings that actually drive your
mission forward.
Now let's talk strategy.
Strategic planning is one ofthose tasks that can feel
overwhelming, especially ifyou're juggling multiple
programs, campaigns and limitedresources.
(06:54):
But here's where ChatGPT canstep in and lighten the load.
Imagine having a brainstormingpartner who never gets tired and
is ready to throw ideas aroundat any hour of the day.
First, let's look at developinga strategic plan.
Say, you want to map outorganizational goals for the
next year.
(07:14):
You can prompt ChatGPT withsomething as simple as outline a
strategic plan with goals andobjectives for a non-profit
focused on youth literacy.
It can give you a structuredoutline that includes objectives
, potential milestones and evensome measurable KPIs.
It's like having a rough draftat your fingertips, saving you
(07:36):
time and helping you dive rightinto the details that matter.
Chatgpt can even help generateSWOT analysis.
You can ask for strengths,weaknesses, opportunities and
threats specific to your sectoror even your organization's
focus area.
For instance, if you're anonprofit working on climate
(07:57):
change, chatgpt can provideinsights on emerging
opportunities, such aspartnerships with eco-conscious
companies, or threats likefluctuating environmental
policies.
This added layer of detail canhelp you see new angles and
consider factors you may nothave even thought about before.
And now on to one of my favoriteuses fundraising brainstorming.
(08:19):
We all know that fundraisingevents and campaigns can start
to feel well recycled, but achat GPT is like a creative
spark on demand.
You could ask it for 10 uniquefundraising event ideas for an
animal shelter or new donorengagement strategies for a
healthcare nonprofit, and it'llgive you a list of concepts.
(08:40):
You might get ideas like apuppy prom event where donors
can bring their pets, or sponsora sanctuary day where donors
fund a day's worth of care.
It's a great way to jumpstartcreative thinking, giving you
fresh ideas to refine and makethem your own.
And speaking of refining,chatgpt can also help with your
(09:01):
mission and vision statement.
Maybe you're an organizationthat's grown and evolved and
your current mission doesn'tquite reflect who you are today.
By feeding ChatGPT somekeywords and ideas about your
work and values, it can help youshape a mission statement that
feels current and inspiring.
You can even ask it to suggestways to align your values with
(09:23):
actionable goals, turning thoseideals into clear, practical
plans.
So, from big picture planningto detailed campaign ideas and
even mission refinement, chatgptcan be a valuable ally.
It can help you move past theblank page, getting you to the
heart of what you want toachieve and sparking new
(09:45):
directions for growth.
All right, so we've coveredstrategy and creativity, but
let's be honest non-profit lifecomes with plenty of
administrative tasks too, andwhile those tasks might not feel
as exciting, they're essentialto keeping the wheels turning
smoothly.
So how can ChatGPT help here?
(10:05):
Let's talk about streamliningsome of those nitty-gritty
day-to-day processes that eat upso much time.
Let's start with policy andprocedure drafting.
Every nonprofit needs clear,consistent policies, whether
it's around finance, hr orvolunteer contact.
But writing policies fromscratch, it can be
(10:27):
time-consuming.
Chatgpt can help by creatingtemplates for these policies.
Let's say you need a templatefor remote work policy or a
social media usage policy.
You can ask ChatGPT to draft astructure, even including
sections you might not havethought of, like approval
processes or guidelines fordifferent departments.
This can be especially helpfulfor standardizing procedures
(10:51):
across teams, making sureeveryone has a clear
understanding of how things work.
Now on to volunteer management.
Volunteers are the backbone ofso many nonprofits, and making
sure they're well-supported iskey.
Chatgpt can help createonboarding materials and
training guides that arecustomized for your organization
.
For instance, you can provideChatGPT with some key points
(11:15):
about your organization'smission and values, and it can
generate a welcome guide for newvolunteers.
It can even suggest modules forspecific training areas, like
safety protocols for eventvolunteers or guidelines for
working with sensitivepopulations.
And let's talk about scheduling.
Coordinating with volunteers onshift times, locations and
(11:37):
expectations can quickly getcomplicated.
Chatgpt can help you buildautomated scheduling templates
or email responses.
Catch EPT can help you buildautomated scheduling templates
or email responses, saving youthe time it takes to manually
send reminders or answer thesame question again and again.
Think of it like having avirtual assistant that keeps
your volunteers informed andengaged without needing your
(11:59):
constant input.
And then there's projectmanagement a beast of its own,
if you've ever tried to jugglemultiple initiatives at once,
you know how helpful a goodchecklist can be.
Chatgpt can generatestep-by-step checklists and
timelines tailored to yourproject, whether it's an annual
gala, a holiday giving campaignor a community outreach
(12:21):
initiative.
Just describe the project andit'll suggest tasks and
deadlines to keep everything ontrack.
And if your team is larger,chatgpt can even help you
organize task assignments andfollow-ups.
You can ask it to outlinecommunication templates for
status updates or reminders, soyou don't have to create them
from scratch every time.
(12:43):
With these tools at yourdisposal, chatgpt can make a
real difference in simplifyingadministrative tasks.
I mean, think about it Moretime saved on the routine work
means more time spent on theimpactful work, whether that's
building donor relationships,working on programs or planning
your next big campaign.
So let's dive into one ofChatGPT's strengths that can
(13:05):
make a big difference fornonprofits research and
knowledge gathering.
And I don't know about you, butwhen it comes to staying on top
of lengthy reports or complexdocuments, it's easy to feel
overwhelmed.
Here's where ChatGPT can stepin to lighten the load and save
you hours of time.
Let's start with summarizingcomplex information.
(13:26):
Imagine you got a 30-pageannual report or a dense
research paper filled withtechnical terms and industry
jargon.
You can copy the text orsections into ChatGPT and ask it
to condense the main pointsinto a one-page summary.
Better yet, if you need toshare this with your board or
stakeholders, you can askChatGPT to translate the
(13:48):
language into something moreaccessible.
So, instead of wading throughpages of data, you get concise
takeaways that everyone canunderstand.
Now let's talk about grants.
Identifying grant opportunitiescan be a huge task, especially
with so many potential fundersout there and the constant
changes in eligibility andpriorities.
(14:08):
You could ask CHAT GPT to helpcompile a list of potential
funders that fit specificcriteria say, foundations that
focus on youth services or thoseinterested in environmental
projects on youth services orthose interested in
environmental projects.
It can even help you create atable of application deadlines,
requirements and contact details.
No more balancing betweenmultiple websites or databases.
(14:30):
Chatgpt can bring all thatinformation into one place,
organized and ready for action.
This also extends to breakingdown the application
requirements themselves.
Say, you're looking at a grantapplication with a long list of
instructions.
You can paste them into ChatGPTand ask it to pull out the
essential steps.
Helping you keep your focus onwhat's most important and
(14:54):
staying current is just ascrucial in today's fast-changing
nonprofit landscape.
Chatgpt can be a valuable toolfor gathering insights or
industry trends.
You can prompt it to search foremerging best practices or
summarize articles on topicslike donor engagement or digital
fundraising.
Maybe you're interested inlearning about changes in donor
(15:16):
behavior, like how youngerdonors are interacting with
nonprofits or how trends incorporate social responsibility
are evolving.
Chatgpt can bring theseinsights together, helping you
stay informed without needing tosift through tons of different
resources.
So, whether it's summarizingdense reports, finding the best
(15:37):
grant opportunities or keepingup with what's new in the field,
chatgpt can be an invaluablepartner in your research process
.
Imagine having all thatknowledge readily available,
organized and easy to digest.
It's like having your ownpersonal research assistant.
Now, as exciting as all ofthese capabilities are, let's
(15:57):
take a moment to talk aboutethics and best practices when
using AI tools like ChatGPT.
As fundraisers and nonprofitprofessionals, we work with
sensitive information, whetherthat's donor data, financial
reports or project details, soit's crucial to remember that,
while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, we should never input personal
(16:19):
or sensitive information intoit.
Think of it like any otherthird-party service.
Protecting your data and yourdonors' data should always come
first, be sure to stayup-to-date on regulations like
GDPR or any privacy laws thatapply to your organization's
work.
Then there's the role of humanoversight.
Chatgpt can do a lot, but it isnot perfect.
(16:44):
Reviewing everything itgenerates is essential,
especially when usingAI-generated content and
public-facing materials.
Automation can save time, butthe human touch is what keeps
our work authentic andmission-driven, whether it's
fact-checking, refining tone orensuring that message resonates
(17:05):
with your audience.
Adding that personal layerkeeps your communications true
to your organization's voice.
And finally, responsible AI usegoes beyond just using the tool.
It's about how we integrate itinto our workflows.
Transparency is key.
If AI played a role in creatingcontent or generating reports,
(17:28):
it's a good practice to be openabout that and, as nonprofit
professionals, promotingequitable and inclusive
practices should always be frontof mind.
This means being mindful oflanguage assumptions and
accessibility in anyAI-generated material.
So, in a nutshell, use AI toenhance your work, but keep it
aligned with your organization'sethical standards.
(17:50):
With a bit of caution andoversight, chatgpt can be a
powerful tool withoutcompromising on privacy,
transparency or inclusivity.
So there you have it.
I encourage you to get creativeand experiment with ChatGPT in
new areas, whether you'rebrainstorming fresh fundraising
ideas, automating data tasks ordeveloping strategic plans.
(18:14):
Chatgpt has the potential toopen up a whole new world of
efficiency and inspiration foryour organization.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday.
I hope you found some practical, exciting ways to put ChatGPT
to work in your mission.
And hey, if you enjoyed thisepisode, be sure to join us next
time.
(18:34):
We'll be diving deep intoleadership, especially as it
relates to Gen Z.
Until then, keep pushingboundaries and making a
difference.
Thanks for listening to.
Let's Talk Fundraising.
Hey, there, hi, and welcome back ambitious
fundraisers.
You're listening to let's TalkFundraising, the podcast where
we dive deep into ideas andtools that can help nonprofits
do more, raise more and make aneven bigger impact.
I'm Keith Greer, and todaywe're talking about something
that could be a real gamechanger for your organization
(00:25):
how to tap into the fullpotential of ChatGPT beyond just
basic messaging.
Now, I know a lot of us thinkof ChatGPT as a handy tool for
quick responses or drafting anemail, but what if I told you it
could help us do so much more?
We're talking about automatingdata tasks, brainstorming new
(00:46):
fundraising ideas, even mappingout strategic plans.
This episode is all aboutthinking outside the box and
leveraging ChatGPT in creativeways that could transform how
your organization operates.
I know in the nonprofit world,we're often trying to stretch
every dollar, every resource andevery minute of our day, so
(01:09):
today's episode is about showingyou how ChatGPT can be one more
tool in your toolkit, helpingyou streamline processes,
generate fresh ideas and findefficiencies that free you up to
focus on what really mattersdriving your mission forward.
Whether you're just curious oralready a little familiar with
(01:29):
AI tools, I think you'll walkaway from this episode with some
fresh, actionable ways tomaximize ChatGPT's potential for
your work.
So let's talk fundraising, let'stalk fundraising, all right.
(01:52):
So let's kick things off with aquick refresher on what ChatGPT
actually is.
Chatgpt is a type of AIlanguage model, which means it's
designed to understand andgenerate text that sounds
remarkably human.
You can ask it a question, giveit a task or even just start a
conversation, and it'll respondin a way that feels natural and
engaging.
Now, most people know ChatGPTas a helpful assistant for
(02:14):
drafting emails, answering FAQsor maybe creating some social
media posts and yeah, it'sfantastic at all of that.
But what's exciting and whatwe'll dive into today, is how
ChatGPT can help with so muchmore than just those
surface-level tasks.
It's capable of doing a lot ofthe heavy lifting behind the
(02:34):
scenes, especially forfundraisers and nonprofit teams,
who need to maximize their timeand their resources.
Let me give you an example andtheir resources.
Let me give you an example.
Picture this Instead of justanswering donor emails or
crafting appeal letters, what ifChatGPT could actually help you
manage complex data tasks ordevelop strategic plans?
(02:55):
That's right.
It can assist with everythingfrom building intricate Excel
formulas to developingdashboards tailored to your
metrics and even brainstorminginnovative fundraising ideas.
There's so much untappedpotential here.
Today, I'm here to challengeyou to look at ChatGPT as more
than just a virtual assistancefor surface-level communication.
(03:17):
It can actually be a strategically, helping you make smarter
data-driven decisions,streamline daily processes and
focus more on the big picturework that fuels your
organization's mission.
All right, so let's talk data,specifically how ChatGPT can
take some of the tedium out ofmanaging and analyzing it.
(03:38):
If you've ever spent hours in aspreadsheet trying to figure
out a formula or pullingtogether reports, you know that
data work can be a huge timesink.
But here's the thing ChatGPTcan actually help you with a lot
of that heavy lifting,especially when it comes to
building out Excel sheets orGoogle sheets.
Let's start with spreadsheetcreation.
(03:59):
Imagine being able to tellChatGPT, in plain English,
something like create a formulato calculate the average
donation per month, but excludeany amounts below $10.
It'll generate the formula foryou.
No need to be a math whiz orremember every Excel function.
And that's just one example.
You can even ask it to createmulti-page workbooks that track
(04:23):
different metrics like donorretention rates, monthly revenue
or even event attendance.
This can give you a moreorganized, holistic view of your
fundraising efforts without allof the manual setup.
But let's take it up a notch,because spreadsheets are one
thing, but what if you want adynamic dashboard that gives you
and your team a visual snapshotof what's going on?
(04:46):
Chatgpt can help you outlinewhat that dashboard could look
like for different audiences.
Maybe your board wants to seehigh-level trends, like annual
revenue growth, while yourdevelopment team needs a deeper
dive into donor demographics orcampaign-specific results.
Demographics orcampaign-specific results you
(05:07):
can ask ChatGPT for thestructure and it'll suggest
fields, formulas and evenpotential visualizations that
make your data easy tounderstand at a glance.
Plus, it can streamline dataentry, suggesting ways to
auto-populate fields acrossdifferent reports.
For example, if you need datafrom your CRM to appear in your
monthly finance reports, chatgptcan help you set up the
(05:29):
formulas or your importfunctions needed to make that
happen automatically.
And what about accuracy?
We'd all know how crucial it isto make sure our data is
correct, especially when itcomes to reporting revenue,
donor information or financialmetrics.
Chatgpt can actually serve as abit of a proofreader for your
data.
(05:49):
Let's say you have complexcalculations across multiple
sheets.
You can have ChatGPT review thelogic behind those calculations
, making sure they're structuredproperly to avoid errors.
It can even help you set upconsistency checks to make sure
your data entries align acrossreports and databases.
This not only saves time, buthelps prevent those last-minute
(06:11):
panic moments where you'regetting ready to present data to
leadership or the board.
So, to sum it up, chatgpt canhelp automate the manual,
repetitive tasks involved indata management From creating
complex spreadsheets todesigning interactive dashboards
, to double-checking dataaccuracy.
Imagine freeing up hours eachweek just by streamlining these
(06:33):
tasks.
That's time you can now spendon outreach strategy or
connecting with your donorsthings that actually drive your
mission forward.
Now let's talk strategy.
Strategic planning is one ofthose tasks that can feel
overwhelming, especially ifyou're juggling multiple
programs, campaigns and limitedresources.
(06:54):
But here's where ChatGPT canstep in and lighten the load.
Imagine having a brainstormingpartner who never gets tired and
is ready to throw ideas aroundat any hour of the day.
First, let's look at developinga strategic plan.
Say, you want to map outorganizational goals for the
next year.
(07:14):
You can prompt ChatGPT withsomething as simple as outline a
strategic plan with goals andobjectives for a non-profit
focused on youth literacy.
It can give you a structuredoutline that includes objectives
, potential milestones and evensome measurable KPIs.
It's like having a rough draftat your fingertips, saving you
(07:36):
time and helping you dive rightinto the details that matter.
Chatgpt can even help generateSWOT analysis.
You can ask for strengths,weaknesses, opportunities and
threats specific to your sectoror even your organization's
focus area.
For instance, if you're anonprofit working on climate
(07:57):
change, chatgpt can provideinsights on emerging
opportunities, such aspartnerships with eco-conscious
companies, or threats likefluctuating environmental
policies.
This added layer of detail canhelp you see new angles and
consider factors you may nothave even thought about before.
And now on to one of my favoriteuses fundraising brainstorming.
(08:19):
We all know that fundraisingevents and campaigns can start
to feel well recycled, but achat GPT is like a creative
spark on demand.
You could ask it for 10 uniquefundraising event ideas for an
animal shelter or new donorengagement strategies for a
healthcare nonprofit, and it'llgive you a list of concepts.
(08:40):
You might get ideas like apuppy prom event where donors
can bring their pets, or sponsora sanctuary day where donors
fund a day's worth of care.
It's a great way to jumpstartcreative thinking, giving you
fresh ideas to refine and makethem your own.
And speaking of refining,chatgpt can also help with your
(09:01):
mission and vision statement.
Maybe you're an organizationthat's grown and evolved and
your current mission doesn'tquite reflect who you are today.
By feeding ChatGPT somekeywords and ideas about your
work and values, it can help youshape a mission statement that
feels current and inspiring.
You can even ask it to suggestways to align your values with
(09:23):
actionable goals, turning thoseideals into clear, practical
plans.
So, from big picture planningto detailed campaign ideas and
even mission refinement, chatgptcan be a valuable ally.
It can help you move past theblank page, getting you to the
heart of what you want toachieve and sparking new
(09:45):
directions for growth.
All right, so we've coveredstrategy and creativity, but
let's be honest non-profit lifecomes with plenty of
administrative tasks too, andwhile those tasks might not feel
as exciting, they're essentialto keeping the wheels turning
smoothly.
So how can ChatGPT help here?
(10:05):
Let's talk about streamliningsome of those nitty-gritty
day-to-day processes that eat upso much time.
Let's start with policy andprocedure drafting.
Every nonprofit needs clear,consistent policies, whether
it's around finance, hr orvolunteer contact.
But writing policies fromscratch, it can be
(10:27):
time-consuming.
Chatgpt can help by creatingtemplates for these policies.
Let's say you need a templatefor remote work policy or a
social media usage policy.
You can ask ChatGPT to draft astructure, even including
sections you might not havethought of, like approval
processes or guidelines fordifferent departments.
This can be especially helpfulfor standardizing procedures
(10:51):
across teams, making sureeveryone has a clear
understanding of how things work.
Now on to volunteer management.
Volunteers are the backbone ofso many nonprofits, and making
sure they're well-supported iskey.
Chatgpt can help createonboarding materials and
training guides that arecustomized for your organization
.
For instance, you can provideChatGPT with some key points
(11:15):
about your organization'smission and values, and it can
generate a welcome guide for newvolunteers.
It can even suggest modules forspecific training areas, like
safety protocols for eventvolunteers or guidelines for
working with sensitivepopulations.
And let's talk about scheduling.
Coordinating with volunteers onshift times, locations and
(11:37):
expectations can quickly getcomplicated.
Chatgpt can help you buildautomated scheduling templates
or email responses.
Catch EPT can help you buildautomated scheduling templates
or email responses, saving youthe time it takes to manually
send reminders or answer thesame question again and again.
Think of it like having avirtual assistant that keeps
your volunteers informed andengaged without needing your
(11:59):
constant input.
And then there's projectmanagement a beast of its own,
if you've ever tried to jugglemultiple initiatives at once,
you know how helpful a goodchecklist can be.
Chatgpt can generatestep-by-step checklists and
timelines tailored to yourproject, whether it's an annual
gala, a holiday giving campaignor a community outreach
(12:21):
initiative.
Just describe the project andit'll suggest tasks and
deadlines to keep everything ontrack.
And if your team is larger,chatgpt can even help you
organize task assignments andfollow-ups.
You can ask it to outlinecommunication templates for
status updates or reminders, soyou don't have to create them
from scratch every time.
(12:43):
With these tools at yourdisposal, chatgpt can make a
real difference in simplifyingadministrative tasks.
I mean, think about it Moretime saved on the routine work
means more time spent on theimpactful work, whether that's
building donor relationships,working on programs or planning
your next big campaign.
So let's dive into one ofChatGPT's strengths that can
(13:05):
make a big difference fornonprofits research and
knowledge gathering.
And I don't know about you, butwhen it comes to staying on top
of lengthy reports or complexdocuments, it's easy to feel
overwhelmed.
Here's where ChatGPT can stepin to lighten the load and save
you hours of time.
Let's start with summarizingcomplex information.
(13:26):
Imagine you got a 30-pageannual report or a dense
research paper filled withtechnical terms and industry
jargon.
You can copy the text orsections into ChatGPT and ask it
to condense the main pointsinto a one-page summary.
Better yet, if you need toshare this with your board or
stakeholders, you can askChatGPT to translate the
(13:48):
language into something moreaccessible.
So, instead of wading throughpages of data, you get concise
takeaways that everyone canunderstand.
Now let's talk about grants.
Identifying grant opportunitiescan be a huge task, especially
with so many potential fundersout there and the constant
changes in eligibility andpriorities.
(14:08):
You could ask CHAT GPT to helpcompile a list of potential
funders that fit specificcriteria say, foundations that
focus on youth services or thoseinterested in environmental
projects on youth services orthose interested in
environmental projects.
It can even help you create atable of application deadlines,
requirements and contact details.
No more balancing betweenmultiple websites or databases.
(14:30):
Chatgpt can bring all thatinformation into one place,
organized and ready for action.
This also extends to breakingdown the application
requirements themselves.
Say, you're looking at a grantapplication with a long list of
instructions.
You can paste them into ChatGPTand ask it to pull out the
essential steps.
Helping you keep your focus onwhat's most important and
(14:54):
staying current is just ascrucial in today's fast-changing
nonprofit landscape.
Chatgpt can be a valuable toolfor gathering insights or
industry trends.
You can prompt it to search foremerging best practices or
summarize articles on topicslike donor engagement or digital
fundraising.
Maybe you're interested inlearning about changes in donor
(15:16):
behavior, like how youngerdonors are interacting with
nonprofits or how trends incorporate social responsibility
are evolving.
Chatgpt can bring theseinsights together, helping you
stay informed without needing tosift through tons of different
resources.
So, whether it's summarizingdense reports, finding the best
(15:37):
grant opportunities or keepingup with what's new in the field,
chatgpt can be an invaluablepartner in your research process
.
Imagine having all thatknowledge readily available,
organized and easy to digest.
It's like having your ownpersonal research assistant.
Now, as exciting as all ofthese capabilities are, let's
(15:57):
take a moment to talk aboutethics and best practices when
using AI tools like ChatGPT.
As fundraisers and nonprofitprofessionals, we work with
sensitive information, whetherthat's donor data, financial
reports or project details, soit's crucial to remember that,
while ChatGPT is a powerful tool, we should never input personal
(16:19):
or sensitive information intoit.
Think of it like any otherthird-party service.
Protecting your data and yourdonors' data should always come
first, be sure to stayup-to-date on regulations like
GDPR or any privacy laws thatapply to your organization's
work.
Then there's the role of humanoversight.
Chatgpt can do a lot, but it isnot perfect.
(16:44):
Reviewing everything itgenerates is essential,
especially when usingAI-generated content and
public-facing materials.
Automation can save time, butthe human touch is what keeps
our work authentic andmission-driven, whether it's
fact-checking, refining tone orensuring that message resonates
(17:05):
with your audience.
Adding that personal layerkeeps your communications true
to your organization's voice.
And finally, responsible AI usegoes beyond just using the tool.
It's about how we integrate itinto our workflows.
Transparency is key.
If AI played a role in creatingcontent or generating reports,
(17:28):
it's a good practice to be openabout that and, as nonprofit
professionals, promotingequitable and inclusive
practices should always be frontof mind.
This means being mindful oflanguage assumptions and
accessibility in anyAI-generated material.
So, in a nutshell, use AI toenhance your work, but keep it
aligned with your organization'sethical standards.
(17:50):
With a bit of caution andoversight, chatgpt can be a
powerful tool withoutcompromising on privacy,
transparency or inclusivity.
So there you have it.
I encourage you to get creativeand experiment with ChatGPT in
new areas, whether you'rebrainstorming fresh fundraising
ideas, automating data tasks ordeveloping strategic plans.
(18:14):
Chatgpt has the potential toopen up a whole new world of
efficiency and inspiration foryour organization.
Thank you so much for tuning intoday.
I hope you found some practical, exciting ways to put ChatGPT
to work in your mission.
And hey, if you enjoyed thisepisode, be sure to join us next
time.
(18:34):
We'll be diving deep intoleadership, especially as it
relates to Gen Z.
Until then, keep pushingboundaries and making a
difference.
Thanks for listening to.
Let's Talk Fundraising.
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