July 7, 2025 • 30 mins
Trapped in an endless cycle of drafting donor emails while meaningful connections take a backseat? The silent crisis of administrative drag is depleting fundraisers' energy and passion nationwide. What if reclaiming hours every week could be as simple as embracing the right technological tools?
This transformative exploration reveals how AI tools like ChatGPT can revolutionize your fundraising practice—not by replacing the human touch, but by magnifying it. Discover how cutting your email drafting time from 20 minutes to just 5 minutes per message can save you 2.5 hours weekly. Learn practical, step-by-step methods to generate donor summaries, briefing documents, and communications while maintaining complete data security.
The revelation isn't that AI can write emails—it's that when administrative burden shrinks, relationship capacity expands. Fundraising burnout doesn't come from connecting with donors; it stems from drowning in paperwork that pulls us away from those vital interactions. By automating the mechanical aspects of development work, you reclaim the heart of fundraising: authentic human connection.
We tackle crucial mindset shifts that transform how you view technology in relationship-building. Far from diminishing your authenticity, AI elevates it by clearing away distractions. Rather than threatening your value as a fundraiser, it amplifies the uniquely human skills—empathy, judgment, emotional intelligence—that no algorithm can replicate.
Ready to transform your fundraising practice? Start with just one communications task today. Craft your first AI-assisted donor message and experience firsthand how technology can serve your mission, not the other way around. Connect with me on LinkedIn to share your results and join the conversation about how thoughtful automation is revolutionizing donor stewardship.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Keith Greer, CFRE (00:00):
You're staring at another blank thank
you email and your inbox ispinging faster than your group
chat.
Another donor to thank, anothertouch point to craft.
But what if there was someonewaiting ready to draft the first
pass for you before your coffee?
Even cools If you ignore thetech.
Tuesday night stay lost tosentence wrestling, but embrace
it and you'll win back hoursevery single week.
(00:23):
So let's talk fundraising.
Fundraising, at its core, isabout relationships real,
genuine connections built overtime.
You know this.
It's not just a nice idea.
It's the very engine thatpowers every successful gift and
every lasting donorrelationship you've ever built.
(00:43):
But there's a problem, a silentbut persistent one, and it's
called administration drag.
It's not glamorous, but it'svery real.
You felt it when a simple thankyou note turns into a 20-minute
ordeal.
You felt it when board reportsbecome late-night homework.
You felt it when prospectresearch spirals into hours of
tab switching and rabbit holesand when your week is overloaded
(01:08):
with the tasks that feel likepaperwork instead of people work
.
The joy drains away, yourpassion gets buried beneath
deadlines and stewardship feelsmore like survival.
That reality is common.
Maybe it's your reality rightnow.
I've certainly been there, andit's not because you or I lack
efficiency or effort, it'sbecause fundraising roles have
(01:30):
evolved, but our strategies tomanage them haven't kept up.
The demands increase, but yourtime stays fixed.
Something has to give, and toooften what gives is the heart of
fundraising itself thosepersonal touches, the thoughtful
calls, the moment spent trulyunderstanding your donors.
Think about the fundamentaltruth of fundraising Donors
(01:51):
don't give to organizations.
They give through people theytrust, to missions they believe
in and relationships that matterdeeply to them.
And yet somehow so many of ourhours are spent not on deepening
relationships but on managingadministrative tasks.
Now, imagine if it didn't haveto be this way.
What if the basicadministrative tasks, the
(02:14):
routine, repetitive parts offundraising, could shrink
dramatically?
What if your attention wasfreed up even a little to pour
back into the relationships thatmatter most?
Pause for a moment and considerthis what's one piece of busy
work you wish could vanishtomorrow, freeing you to
(02:35):
reconnect with the people behindyour mission?
When I started experimentingwith AI, specifically ChatGPT,
in fundraising workflows, Iwasn't trying to replace the
heart of our work.
I really wanted to enhance it,to reclaim space in the calendar
for genuine conversations, andwhat I discovered was
(02:56):
transformative, not because AItook over relationships, but
because it supported them.
It relieved me of thetime-consuming routine tasks,
allowing me to bring my fullself back into the donor
conversations.
But let's pause and get veryreal here.
I know you might be skeptical.
Maybe you're thinking, keith,relationships aren't built by
(03:19):
technology, they're built byhumans, and you're absolutely
right.
Like no AI tool can replicateyour unique touch, your empathy,
your insights or your carefulunderstanding of donor
motivations.
No algorithm can replace yourability to read between the
lines of a donor's email orsense when a phone call will
mean more than a perfectlydrafted letter.
(03:40):
However, ai can support exactlythat kind of relationship
building by taking on some ofthe burdens that drain your
energy.
For example, think aboutwriting a donor email.
The hardest part usually isn'tthe personalization, it's
getting the first draft on paper.
It's overcoming that blankscreen staring back at you.
(04:01):
Ai is great at first drafts.
It can quickly assemble athoughtful starting point that
you then personalize, refine andmake truly meaningful.
It's not automating yourrelationship, it's automating
your administrative work so thatyour relationships can thrive.
(04:21):
And here's another real worldtruth Burnout in fundraising is
rampant.
Turnover rates are high becausefundraisers are consistently
asked to do more, with lessFundraising professionals,
especially major gift officersand small shop directors are
working hours that don't matchthe mission-driven passion that
(04:43):
brought them to the field in thefirst place.
This isn't sustainable.
You've likely felt the squeezeyourself.
It's a universal challenge inour profession.
How do you sustain energy,empathy and passion when the
administrative demands continueto mount?
This is exactly the pain pointAI can address.
Not by replacing the humanconnection, but by restoring
(05:08):
your capacity to focus on it.
Ai helps create margin,breathing room, a chance to step
back and ask deeper questions.
It lets you reconnect with whyyou got into fundraising in the
first place to help transformmissions into reality, to build
lasting relationships and togenuinely enjoy the process of
stewarding generosity.
(05:29):
So let me share one morereality.
Your donors are alreadyexperiencing AI-driven
communications every single dayin their inboxes, on their
social media and in virtuallyevery consumer interaction.
Donors aren't shocked oroffended by thoughtful
automation.
They're accustomed to it.
But here's where you have aunique advantage your intention.
(05:52):
Ai in fundraising is at itsbest when guided by the ethical,
human-centered principles thatare already core to your work.
It's about amplifying yourvalues core to your work.
It's about amplifying yourvalues, not diluting them.
So pause again and reflect.
What would it mean for yourweek if you spent even two fewer
hours on routine administrativetasks?
(06:15):
How would that shift yourrelationship building capacity?
So let's acknowledge somethingelse Technology is imperfect.
Ai models, including ChatGPT.
They're not flawless.
They require oversight,thoughtful use and ethical
boundaries, just like anypowerful tool.
(06:47):
Wisely, ai isn't here to takeyour job.
It's here to let you do yourjob better, and I've seen
firsthand how, carefullyimplemented, ai can drastically
reduce administrative workloads.
It can automate the tedious,repetitive tasks that drain your
energy, freeing you to spendmore time doing the work that
only you can do the relationshipbuilding, the trust earning
that only you can do therelationship building, the trust
earning, the heart-driven workof fundraising.
(07:07):
And, as it reduces youradministrative drag, it
magnifies your capacity tosteward donor relationships
authentically.
So take a moment and considerthe next step you could take.
If you could reclaim some timethis week, how would you
reinvest it into relationships?
Would it be an extra call, adeeper conversation, a more
(07:30):
thoughtful stewardshiptouchpoint?
Because that's the promise ofsmart AI use and fundraising Not
replacing your personal touch,but reclaiming it from the grip
of administrative overload.
Fundraising isn't about doingmore.
It's about doing better.
It's about stewarding yourdonors in ways that align with
their values and yours.
(07:51):
It's about recognizing thepower of relationships and
honoring that power byprioritizing it.
Ai won't replace you, but itwill empower you, freeing you to
be more intentional, morepresent and, ultimately, more
effective.
So here's the fundraisingprinciple we're exploring today.
Stewardship thrives whentechnology serves your mission,
(08:15):
not the other way around.
This isn't about automatingrelationships.
It's about automating thedistractions, and when you
reduce those distractions,stewardship can flourish.
And isn't that the real goal?
Because when administrativedrag shrinks, relationship
building soars, and whenrelationships soar, so does
(08:37):
fundraising.
And that's the future we'reexploring today.
And now let's move fromprinciples to practice.
We're exploring today, and nowlet's move from principles to
practice.
Let's talk about exactly howChatGPT can start serving your
mission right now.
So we've talked about whystewardship thrives when
technology serves your mission,not the other way around.
But let's get concrete, becauseI know you're probably thinking
(09:00):
, keith, this sounds great, buthow do I actually put this into
practice?
And here's exactly how ChatGPTfits in your day-to-day
fundraising work.
Let's start with something weall deal with drafting a donor
communications piece.
We do it daily, but rarely dowe think about how much time
we're truly spending on it.
Picture this scenario You'vejust had a donor commit to
(09:24):
supporting a scholarship fund.
You're thrilled, they'rethrilled, and your next step is
obvious crafting a heartfeltthank you email.
It sounds straightforward, buthow often has that simple email
turned into a time-consumingtask 20 minutes, 30 minutes,
maybe even longer as you try tostrike the right balance of
(09:45):
warmth, gratitude andpersonalization.
Now imagine starting with adraft that's already 70% there,
a draft you didn't writeyourself, but that's immediately
useful, thoughtful andresponsive to your prompt.
All you have to do is tweak,add your personal insights and
hit send.
That's exactly what ChatGPT cando for you it gives you that
(10:08):
first draft, saving you fromstaring at a blank screen.
So let's look at precisely howyou'd use ChatGPT for this.
Step one put together thecontext Quick, non-sensitive
details Maybe something likedonor, just committed to funding
a scholarship forfirst-generation college
students.
They are passionate abouteducational access and
(10:31):
previously mentioned howscholarships change their life.
Notice what's missing herethere's no sensitive details,
there's no private informationJust enough context for ChatGPT
to understand and respondmeaningfully.
And the second step use a clear, direct prompt, something like
(10:52):
draft, a brief, warm thank youemail acknowledging their
generous commitment to our firstgeneration scholarship fund,
and include an offer for them tomeet students impacted by their
gift.
And here's exactly what ChatGPTmight produce from a prompt
like that Subject line.
Your generosity will changelives.
Dear donor name, I can't thankyou enough for your generous
(11:15):
commitment to supportingscholarships for
first-generation collegestudents.
Your gift will create aprofound impact, opening doors
to education and opportunity foryoung people whose lives will
truly be transformed by yourkindness.
Given your passion foreducational access, I'd love to
invite you to meet some of theincredible students whose dreams
(11:35):
you're helping to make possible.
Please let me know if you'dlike to arrange a campus visit
or join us virtually.
I know it would mean a lot tomeet the person making their
dreams a reality.
Thank you again.
Your generosity makes all thedifference.
Warm regards and then your namefor a placeholder.
(11:56):
And think about this for amoment.
How long would you typicallyspend drafting something similar
from scratch?
10 minutes, 15 minutes, maybemore?
With ChatGPT, your first draftarrives within seconds.
Suddenly, the bulk of the workis behind you and all that's
left is a personal tweak here orthere to make it uniquely yours
(12:17):
.
Now let's translate that intomeasurable terms.
Say, you're typically spendingabout 20 minutes on every donor
email from a blank page.
Chatgpt reduces that to underfive minutes.
That's 15 minutes saved peremail.
And if you're sending out even10 personalized emails a week,
(12:38):
that's two and a half hourssaved every single week.
And that's not just atime-saving trick, it's a
fundamental shift in how youapproach donor communications.
Instead of exhausting yourselfon routine writing tasks, your
energy goes directly intogenuine personalization and
thoughtful follow-ups the exactthings that strengthen
(13:00):
relationships.
But ChatGPT's impact goesbeyond simple emails.
Let's think about anothereveryday fundraising challenges
preparing donor summaries andbriefing sheets.
You've got a meeting coming upwith a prospect and your job is
to distill scattered notes, pastgiving history and recent
interactions into a quickreference summary.
(13:21):
Doing that manually is draining, time-consuming and, frankly,
it's a recipe for burnout.
But again, chatgpt comes to therescue with just two simple
steps.
First one take a few bulletpoints of relevant information
that you already have, withoutthe sensitive details.
Something like donor haspreviously supported cancer
(13:43):
research.
Their last gift was two yearsago, recently attended our
annual gala and expressedinterest in pediatric cancer
research after a recent familyexperience.
Step two enter this intoChatGPT with a prompt like
create a concise donor summaryfor an upcoming meeting,
highlighting their previousgiving, recent event attendance
(14:06):
and potential areas of interestfor future giving.
Within moments, you receivesomething that looks like this
donor summary bullet pointhistory of support previously
donated to cancer researchprograms, with the last
contributions made two years ago.
Second bullet point recentengagement.
Attended our annual gala lastmonth and had conversations
(14:27):
expressing a strong personalinterest in pediatric cancer
research, influenced by recentfamily experiences.
Third bullet point suggestedapproach Discuss specific
initiatives within pediatriccancer research, including
current funding needs andopportunities to make an
immediate impact, aligned withtheir expressed passion.
(14:47):
And just like that, your prepwork shrinks from an hour of
digging and drafting to mereminutes.
You're freed fromadministrative overload and able
to focus instead on strategyand meaningful connections in
your donor interactions onstrategy and meaningful
connections in your donorinteractions.
Now I want to acknowledgeanother crucial point data
security, because this isreal-world fundraising, and the
(15:10):
safety of donor informationmatters deeply.
Notice that at no point do weinput sensitive data into
ChatGPT no addresses, no names,no financial records, no private
details.
Chatgpt doesn't requiresensitive information to be
effective.
It simply needs some context.
So here's the key principles toremember Describe, don't
(15:34):
deposit.
Provide general, non-sensitiveinformation to guide ChatGPT.
You never paste private detailsdirectly.
Instead, you keep yoursensitive data secure in your
own systems, using ChatGPT as atool to streamline your
public-facing communications.
(15:55):
So take a moment to reflect onyour workflow.
How many tasks in your typicalweek could become lighter,
faster or even disappearentirely if you had ChatGPT as
your virtual assistant?
And here's the real metric thatmatters most when your
administrative workload shrinks,your relationship capacity
expands.
(16:15):
The hours saved aren't justnice to have, they're essential.
These saved hours become phonecalls, face-to-face meetings,
deeper research, betterfollow-ups the exact tasks that
make stewardship thrive.
But here's another benefit wehaven't talked about yet
Confidence.
When you know you've got areliable assistant handling
(16:39):
routine drafts and summaries,your mental space is clearer.
You approach donor meetingswith better focus and greater
clarity.
Your energy is higher, yourpresence is more impactful, and
that's something that donorsfeel and it's something they
appreciate.
So let's recap what we'vecovered here.
Chatgpt it streamlines theroutine tasks, whether it's
(17:01):
emails, summaries, prep, freeingyour significant time.
Second, you maintain securityby never pasting sensitive data
directly.
Third, the time savedtranslates directly into higher
quality donor relationships.
And fourth, your mental loaddecreases, letting you engage
(17:22):
more confidently andauthentically.
And I know what you're thinking.
Could it really be that easy?
Could it truly make this big ofa difference?
And the short answer is yes.
It's exactly what happens whentechnology serves your mission
rather than replacing it.
So, as we move forward, I wantyou to carry this question with
(17:43):
you placing it so as we moveforward, I want you to carry
this question with you Ifadministration drag shrinks, how
much bigger can your impactbecome?
And with that thought in mind,let's dive deeper into the
mindset shifts needed to fullyembrace the AI-driven
fundraising and reclaim yourmost important resource, and
that's you.
So let's talk frankly aboutmindset, because embracing AI
(18:05):
isn't just a technological shift.
It's an emotional one.
It changes how you think aboutyour role, your workload and
even your identity as afundraiser, and a shifting
mindset can feel uncomfortable.
It's normal to feel resistanceand uncertainty, and the biggest
hurdle I've encountered, bothpersonally and when talking to
(18:26):
fundraisers across the country,is the worry that using AI,
especially something likeChatGPT, means losing your
authentic human touch.
Maybe you felt that too.
Perhaps you're thinking, keith,my strength is connecting
deeply with people.
Ai sounds impersonal.
It doesn't feel like me, and Iget that because that's exactly
(18:48):
how I felt initially.
My own skepticism ran deep.
After all, relationships arebuilt on trust and authenticity,
and the thought of turning thatsacred trust over, even
partially, to technology feltreally uncomfortable.
But here's the critical mindsetshift that transformed how I
saw AI and how you can too.
(19:09):
It's not about replacing yourpersonal touch, it's about
reclaiming it.
So think about it when you'rebogged down in repetitive tasks,
routine writing and endlessadministration, your authentic
human touch is alreadycompromised.
The drain of administrativeoverload isn't just a
frustration.
(19:29):
It subtly undermines yourability to connect genuinely
with donors.
Your focus splits your energyscatters, and what should be
meaningful conversations startfeeling transactional.
So instead of thinking AI willtake away my authenticity, try
shifting to.
Ai frees me to express myauthenticity more fully.
(19:52):
And let me be clear yoursuperpower as a fundraiser is
precisely that unique empathyand insight that you bring to
every interaction.
No, ai can replicate yourinstincts, your ability to
listen deeply, your sensitivityto settle signals in a
conversation.
Ai simply doesn't have thatcapability and it likely never
(20:15):
will, or at least not in ourlifetimes.
But it can clear awaydistractions, lighten the
administrative load and give youthe space and energy that you
need to bring your whole,authentic self to work.
And here's another commonlimiting belief that often
surfaces AI will lead tomistakes or inaccuracies that
(20:35):
damage donor trust.
This fear is real and it'sunderstandable.
You value accuracy, trust, andit's understandable.
You value accuracy, trust andintegrity deeply and rightly so.
So donors rely on yourcredibility and any missteps can
feel high stakes.
(20:59):
But here's where a secondmindset shift is crucial.
You don't trust AI blindly.
You guide it purposefully.
Think of AI like an eager,hardworking intern, someone
bright and capable, but in needof clear direction and careful
oversight.
Just as you'd never expect anew intern to handle high stakes
donor communications withoutchecking their work, ai requires
the same careful oversight.
You're never outsourcing yourjudgment.
(21:20):
You're guiding the output toreflect your values and your
standards.
Practically speaking, thismeans establishing a simple
routine.
Use ChatGPT for quick,efficient first drafts or
summaries, then step in withyour expertise, your insights
and your careful eye for nuance.
The final product isn't an AIcreation.
(21:42):
It's your creation, simplyaccelerated by thoughtful use of
technology.
And let's also address anotherimportant mindset block.
Learning to use AI is justanother overwhelming task added
to my place.
I don't have the time.
Believe me, I understand thatsentiment deeply.
(22:02):
You're already pressed for time.
The thought of adding even aminor learning curve can feel
daunting, but here's the shift.
Ai isn't another burden.
It's a tool designedspecifically to remove burdens.
This isn't about spending hourslearning a complicated system.
Ai, especially tools likeChatGPT, is remarkably intuitive
(22:25):
, with a handful ofstraightforward prompts and a
minimal initial investment oftime literally minutes, not
hours.
You'll quickly reclaim thoseminutes and more, week after
week.
So let me ask you this If youknew a small upfront investment
of time say an hour this weekwould immediately begin paying
(22:45):
dividends of hours saved everyweek afterward, wouldn't it be
worth the leap?
And that's exactly the reality.
Fundraisers I've worked withexperience.
After just a few prompttemplates and a bit of initial
familiarity, they're off andrunning.
It's not another complexplatform.
It's a simple, intuitiveassistant that immediately
(23:07):
starts easing the administrativeload.
So let's touch on one moremindset hurdle, perhaps the one
that's most profound of all.
Ai feels like a threat to myjob security or my value as a
fundraiser.
And if you've ever felt thisfear, you're not alone.
Ai anxiety is prevalent invirtually every profession right
(23:29):
now.
But the truth is the oppositeof what you might fear, and
here's the critical reframing AIdoesn't threaten your job, it
elevates it.
Think for a moment about whatmakes fundraising uniquely human
Empathy, nuanced judgment,emotional intelligence,
creativity and engaging donors,and these are precisely the
(23:53):
areas that ai can't replicate.
Ai excels at repetition,summarizing information and
providing great starting points.
It's not good at human insight,at emotional resonance and at
personal connections.
Those are uniquely human skillsand they're your skills.
When AI manages the repetitive,predictable tasks, your
(24:15):
uniquely human skills come frontand center.
Instead of feeling replaceable,your value becomes clear and
even more essential In an AIsupported workflow.
Fundraisers aren'tinterchangeable.
We're irreplaceable.
So consider this shiftcarefully.
Your value isn't diminished byusing AI.
(24:37):
Your value actually increases.
Your capacity for creativityand empathy grows.
Your expertise shines brighter,your relationships deepen.
And let's pause here and ask animportant question what would
change for you professionally ifyou fully embrace this mindset,
If you viewed AI as a tool thatelevates your skills and
(24:59):
deepens your impact?
And finally, let's address onelast subtle mindset barrier that
often sneaks in.
I've tried shiny new toolsbefore.
They never deliver as promised,and that skepticism is healthy.
You've likely experienced techtools that promise the moon and
the stars and deliveredfrustration instead.
(25:19):
It's understandable to hesitate, but the difference here is
significant.
Ai tools like ChatGPT aren't aone-off shiny tool.
It's a practical, reliablepartner already proven across
industries.
Millions of people use thisvery tool every day, not as a
flashy gadget, but as a reliableassistant.
(25:40):
Its utility is proven and yourchallenge isn't whether it works
.
It's simply discovering howbest it can work for you, for
your donors and for your mission.
And the beauty of startingsmall, with just a few prompts,
just a few tasks, is preciselythat.
You're not making a grand,risky leap.
(26:01):
You're taking measured stepsthat immediately return value.
This isn't blind trust.
It's careful exploration.
So as we move forward today,here's the mindset shifts.
In summary, we're moving fromAI feels impersonal to AI allows
me to be more personal.
(26:22):
We're switching from AI risksmistakes to AI is a tool I guide
carefully.
We're switching from AI addsanother burden to AI lifts
burdens quickly and we'releaving behind.
Ai threatens my job to AIenhances my value.
(26:44):
We're switching from AI is justanother shiny tool to AI is a
proven and practical partner toAI as a proven and practical
partner.
Reflect on these shifts,consider which resonates most
deeply for you, because the goalhere isn't about technology.
It's about the confidence, theclarity and the focus that
(27:05):
technology can return to you.
It's about reclaiming theessence of fundraising Authentic
, relationship-drivenhuman-to-human connection.
And here's the truth that we'releaning into today.
Stewardship isn't about moreactivity, it's about deeper
impact.
Ai is simply a path to deeperimpact.
(27:28):
So, with the shift in mindset,imagine stepping back into your
role tomorrow.
What tasks might you approachdifferently?
What new freedom would you feel, knowing that your authenticity
is no longer compromised byadministrative overload?
Hold on to that thought, carryit forward, because that's
exactly the future we'rebuilding, one thoughtful,
(27:51):
meaningful step at a time.
So let's quickly recap thejourney we've taken today,
because we've covered a lot.
We started by acknowledging thatrelationships sit at the heart
of fundraising, but thatadministrative drag often gets
in the way, diluting your energy, your focus and your passion.
We then explore how practical,careful use of chat GPT can
(28:12):
reduce your administrativeburden, freeing your time for
deeper, more meaningfulconnections with donors.
We also tackled somesignificant mindset shifts.
Ai doesn't dilute yourauthenticity.
It simply amplifies it.
It doesn't threaten your job,it elevates it.
Ai, when used wisely, is yourpartner in reclaiming what
matters most in fundraisinggenuine human relationships and
(28:35):
authentic stewardship.
But now let's turn thisconversation into action, your
action.
So here's what I want you to do.
Pick one simple donorcommunications task today.
Maybe it's a thank you emailyou've been meaning to send, or
a quick donor summary you'vebeen dreading putting together.
Use the straightforwardtwo-step chat GPT prompt we
(28:56):
discussed earlier.
Give it some basic context andremember no sensitive details,
and ask it for a first draft.
Try it once today and thenreach out and let me know how
many minutes did you reclaim,what new possibilities opened up
when your administrative loadgot lighter.
This isn't an opt-in, it's justa friendly invitation.
(29:17):
So message me on LinkedIn,share your quick win and let's
celebrate together how evensmall steps can lead to big
shifts in your fundraising.
Because next week we're divingdeeper.
We'll tackle exactly how toensure donor data stays secure
and private, even as youleverage AI.
If you've worried about datasafety or even felt hesitant to
(29:39):
fully embrace AI, next week'sepisode is built precisely for
you, because here's the truthFundraising isn't about doing
more.
It's about doing better.
It's about stewardingrelationships deeply and
authentically, and technology,when thoughtfully embraced, can
be your greatest ally inachieving exactly that.
So until next time, keepbuilding your relationships,
(30:02):
reclaiming your time and, mostimportantly, keep making an
impact.
I'll see you soon.
You're staring at another blank thank
you email and your inbox ispinging faster than your group
chat.
Another donor to thank, anothertouch point to craft.
But what if there was someonewaiting ready to draft the first
pass for you before your coffee?
Even cools If you ignore thetech.
Tuesday night stay lost tosentence wrestling, but embrace
it and you'll win back hoursevery single week.
(00:23):
So let's talk fundraising.
Fundraising, at its core, isabout relationships real,
genuine connections built overtime.
You know this.
It's not just a nice idea.
It's the very engine thatpowers every successful gift and
every lasting donorrelationship you've ever built.
(00:43):
But there's a problem, a silentbut persistent one, and it's
called administration drag.
It's not glamorous, but it'svery real.
You felt it when a simple thankyou note turns into a 20-minute
ordeal.
You felt it when board reportsbecome late-night homework.
You felt it when prospectresearch spirals into hours of
tab switching and rabbit holesand when your week is overloaded
(01:08):
with the tasks that feel likepaperwork instead of people work
.
The joy drains away, yourpassion gets buried beneath
deadlines and stewardship feelsmore like survival.
That reality is common.
Maybe it's your reality rightnow.
I've certainly been there, andit's not because you or I lack
efficiency or effort, it'sbecause fundraising roles have
(01:30):
evolved, but our strategies tomanage them haven't kept up.
The demands increase, but yourtime stays fixed.
Something has to give, and toooften what gives is the heart of
fundraising itself thosepersonal touches, the thoughtful
calls, the moment spent trulyunderstanding your donors.
Think about the fundamentaltruth of fundraising Donors
(01:51):
don't give to organizations.
They give through people theytrust, to missions they believe
in and relationships that matterdeeply to them.
And yet somehow so many of ourhours are spent not on deepening
relationships but on managingadministrative tasks.
Now, imagine if it didn't haveto be this way.
What if the basicadministrative tasks, the
(02:14):
routine, repetitive parts offundraising, could shrink
dramatically?
What if your attention wasfreed up even a little to pour
back into the relationships thatmatter most?
Pause for a moment and considerthis what's one piece of busy
work you wish could vanishtomorrow, freeing you to
(02:35):
reconnect with the people behindyour mission?
When I started experimentingwith AI, specifically ChatGPT,
in fundraising workflows, Iwasn't trying to replace the
heart of our work.
I really wanted to enhance it,to reclaim space in the calendar
for genuine conversations, andwhat I discovered was
(02:56):
transformative, not because AItook over relationships, but
because it supported them.
It relieved me of thetime-consuming routine tasks,
allowing me to bring my fullself back into the donor
conversations.
But let's pause and get veryreal here.
I know you might be skeptical.
Maybe you're thinking, keith,relationships aren't built by
(03:19):
technology, they're built byhumans, and you're absolutely
right.
Like no AI tool can replicateyour unique touch, your empathy,
your insights or your carefulunderstanding of donor
motivations.
No algorithm can replace yourability to read between the
lines of a donor's email orsense when a phone call will
mean more than a perfectlydrafted letter.
(03:40):
However, ai can support exactlythat kind of relationship
building by taking on some ofthe burdens that drain your
energy.
For example, think aboutwriting a donor email.
The hardest part usually isn'tthe personalization, it's
getting the first draft on paper.
It's overcoming that blankscreen staring back at you.
(04:01):
Ai is great at first drafts.
It can quickly assemble athoughtful starting point that
you then personalize, refine andmake truly meaningful.
It's not automating yourrelationship, it's automating
your administrative work so thatyour relationships can thrive.
(04:21):
And here's another real worldtruth Burnout in fundraising is
rampant.
Turnover rates are high becausefundraisers are consistently
asked to do more, with lessFundraising professionals,
especially major gift officersand small shop directors are
working hours that don't matchthe mission-driven passion that
(04:43):
brought them to the field in thefirst place.
This isn't sustainable.
You've likely felt the squeezeyourself.
It's a universal challenge inour profession.
How do you sustain energy,empathy and passion when the
administrative demands continueto mount?
This is exactly the pain pointAI can address.
Not by replacing the humanconnection, but by restoring
(05:08):
your capacity to focus on it.
Ai helps create margin,breathing room, a chance to step
back and ask deeper questions.
It lets you reconnect with whyyou got into fundraising in the
first place to help transformmissions into reality, to build
lasting relationships and togenuinely enjoy the process of
stewarding generosity.
(05:29):
So let me share one morereality.
Your donors are alreadyexperiencing AI-driven
communications every single dayin their inboxes, on their
social media and in virtuallyevery consumer interaction.
Donors aren't shocked oroffended by thoughtful
automation.
They're accustomed to it.
But here's where you have aunique advantage your intention.
(05:52):
Ai in fundraising is at itsbest when guided by the ethical,
human-centered principles thatare already core to your work.
It's about amplifying yourvalues core to your work.
It's about amplifying yourvalues, not diluting them.
So pause again and reflect.
What would it mean for yourweek if you spent even two fewer
hours on routine administrativetasks?
(06:15):
How would that shift yourrelationship building capacity?
So let's acknowledge somethingelse Technology is imperfect.
Ai models, including ChatGPT.
They're not flawless.
They require oversight,thoughtful use and ethical
boundaries, just like anypowerful tool.
(06:47):
Wisely, ai isn't here to takeyour job.
It's here to let you do yourjob better, and I've seen
firsthand how, carefullyimplemented, ai can drastically
reduce administrative workloads.
It can automate the tedious,repetitive tasks that drain your
energy, freeing you to spendmore time doing the work that
only you can do the relationshipbuilding, the trust earning
that only you can do therelationship building, the trust
earning, the heart-driven workof fundraising.
(07:07):
And, as it reduces youradministrative drag, it
magnifies your capacity tosteward donor relationships
authentically.
So take a moment and considerthe next step you could take.
If you could reclaim some timethis week, how would you
reinvest it into relationships?
Would it be an extra call, adeeper conversation, a more
(07:30):
thoughtful stewardshiptouchpoint?
Because that's the promise ofsmart AI use and fundraising Not
replacing your personal touch,but reclaiming it from the grip
of administrative overload.
Fundraising isn't about doingmore.
It's about doing better.
It's about stewarding yourdonors in ways that align with
their values and yours.
(07:51):
It's about recognizing thepower of relationships and
honoring that power byprioritizing it.
Ai won't replace you, but itwill empower you, freeing you to
be more intentional, morepresent and, ultimately, more
effective.
So here's the fundraisingprinciple we're exploring today.
Stewardship thrives whentechnology serves your mission,
(08:15):
not the other way around.
This isn't about automatingrelationships.
It's about automating thedistractions, and when you
reduce those distractions,stewardship can flourish.
And isn't that the real goal?
Because when administrativedrag shrinks, relationship
building soars, and whenrelationships soar, so does
(08:37):
fundraising.
And that's the future we'reexploring today.
And now let's move fromprinciples to practice.
We're exploring today, and nowlet's move from principles to
practice.
Let's talk about exactly howChatGPT can start serving your
mission right now.
So we've talked about whystewardship thrives when
technology serves your mission,not the other way around.
But let's get concrete, becauseI know you're probably thinking
(09:00):
, keith, this sounds great, buthow do I actually put this into
practice?
And here's exactly how ChatGPTfits in your day-to-day
fundraising work.
Let's start with something weall deal with drafting a donor
communications piece.
We do it daily, but rarely dowe think about how much time
we're truly spending on it.
Picture this scenario You'vejust had a donor commit to
(09:24):
supporting a scholarship fund.
You're thrilled, they'rethrilled, and your next step is
obvious crafting a heartfeltthank you email.
It sounds straightforward, buthow often has that simple email
turned into a time-consumingtask 20 minutes, 30 minutes,
maybe even longer as you try tostrike the right balance of
(09:45):
warmth, gratitude andpersonalization.
Now imagine starting with adraft that's already 70% there,
a draft you didn't writeyourself, but that's immediately
useful, thoughtful andresponsive to your prompt.
All you have to do is tweak,add your personal insights and
hit send.
That's exactly what ChatGPT cando for you it gives you that
(10:08):
first draft, saving you fromstaring at a blank screen.
So let's look at precisely howyou'd use ChatGPT for this.
Step one put together thecontext Quick, non-sensitive
details Maybe something likedonor, just committed to funding
a scholarship forfirst-generation college
students.
They are passionate abouteducational access and
(10:31):
previously mentioned howscholarships change their life.
Notice what's missing herethere's no sensitive details,
there's no private informationJust enough context for ChatGPT
to understand and respondmeaningfully.
And the second step use a clear, direct prompt, something like
(10:52):
draft, a brief, warm thank youemail acknowledging their
generous commitment to our firstgeneration scholarship fund,
and include an offer for them tomeet students impacted by their
gift.
And here's exactly what ChatGPTmight produce from a prompt
like that Subject line.
Your generosity will changelives.
Dear donor name, I can't thankyou enough for your generous
(11:15):
commitment to supportingscholarships for
first-generation collegestudents.
Your gift will create aprofound impact, opening doors
to education and opportunity foryoung people whose lives will
truly be transformed by yourkindness.
Given your passion foreducational access, I'd love to
invite you to meet some of theincredible students whose dreams
(11:35):
you're helping to make possible.
Please let me know if you'dlike to arrange a campus visit
or join us virtually.
I know it would mean a lot tomeet the person making their
dreams a reality.
Thank you again.
Your generosity makes all thedifference.
Warm regards and then your namefor a placeholder.
(11:56):
And think about this for amoment.
How long would you typicallyspend drafting something similar
from scratch?
10 minutes, 15 minutes, maybemore?
With ChatGPT, your first draftarrives within seconds.
Suddenly, the bulk of the workis behind you and all that's
left is a personal tweak here orthere to make it uniquely yours
(12:17):
.
Now let's translate that intomeasurable terms.
Say, you're typically spendingabout 20 minutes on every donor
email from a blank page.
Chatgpt reduces that to underfive minutes.
That's 15 minutes saved peremail.
And if you're sending out even10 personalized emails a week,
(12:38):
that's two and a half hourssaved every single week.
And that's not just atime-saving trick, it's a
fundamental shift in how youapproach donor communications.
Instead of exhausting yourselfon routine writing tasks, your
energy goes directly intogenuine personalization and
thoughtful follow-ups the exactthings that strengthen
(13:00):
relationships.
But ChatGPT's impact goesbeyond simple emails.
Let's think about anothereveryday fundraising challenges
preparing donor summaries andbriefing sheets.
You've got a meeting coming upwith a prospect and your job is
to distill scattered notes, pastgiving history and recent
interactions into a quickreference summary.
(13:21):
Doing that manually is draining, time-consuming and, frankly,
it's a recipe for burnout.
But again, chatgpt comes to therescue with just two simple
steps.
First one take a few bulletpoints of relevant information
that you already have, withoutthe sensitive details.
Something like donor haspreviously supported cancer
(13:43):
research.
Their last gift was two yearsago, recently attended our
annual gala and expressedinterest in pediatric cancer
research after a recent familyexperience.
Step two enter this intoChatGPT with a prompt like
create a concise donor summaryfor an upcoming meeting,
highlighting their previousgiving, recent event attendance
(14:06):
and potential areas of interestfor future giving.
Within moments, you receivesomething that looks like this
donor summary bullet pointhistory of support previously
donated to cancer researchprograms, with the last
contributions made two years ago.
Second bullet point recentengagement.
Attended our annual gala lastmonth and had conversations
(14:27):
expressing a strong personalinterest in pediatric cancer
research, influenced by recentfamily experiences.
Third bullet point suggestedapproach Discuss specific
initiatives within pediatriccancer research, including
current funding needs andopportunities to make an
immediate impact, aligned withtheir expressed passion.
(14:47):
And just like that, your prepwork shrinks from an hour of
digging and drafting to mereminutes.
You're freed fromadministrative overload and able
to focus instead on strategyand meaningful connections in
your donor interactions onstrategy and meaningful
connections in your donorinteractions.
Now I want to acknowledgeanother crucial point data
security, because this isreal-world fundraising, and the
(15:10):
safety of donor informationmatters deeply.
Notice that at no point do weinput sensitive data into
ChatGPT no addresses, no names,no financial records, no private
details.
Chatgpt doesn't requiresensitive information to be
effective.
It simply needs some context.
So here's the key principles toremember Describe, don't
(15:34):
deposit.
Provide general, non-sensitiveinformation to guide ChatGPT.
You never paste private detailsdirectly.
Instead, you keep yoursensitive data secure in your
own systems, using ChatGPT as atool to streamline your
public-facing communications.
(15:55):
So take a moment to reflect onyour workflow.
How many tasks in your typicalweek could become lighter,
faster or even disappearentirely if you had ChatGPT as
your virtual assistant?
And here's the real metric thatmatters most when your
administrative workload shrinks,your relationship capacity
expands.
(16:15):
The hours saved aren't justnice to have, they're essential.
These saved hours become phonecalls, face-to-face meetings,
deeper research, betterfollow-ups the exact tasks that
make stewardship thrive.
But here's another benefit wehaven't talked about yet
Confidence.
When you know you've got areliable assistant handling
(16:39):
routine drafts and summaries,your mental space is clearer.
You approach donor meetingswith better focus and greater
clarity.
Your energy is higher, yourpresence is more impactful, and
that's something that donorsfeel and it's something they
appreciate.
So let's recap what we'vecovered here.
Chatgpt it streamlines theroutine tasks, whether it's
(17:01):
emails, summaries, prep, freeingyour significant time.
Second, you maintain securityby never pasting sensitive data
directly.
Third, the time savedtranslates directly into higher
quality donor relationships.
And fourth, your mental loaddecreases, letting you engage
(17:22):
more confidently andauthentically.
And I know what you're thinking.
Could it really be that easy?
Could it truly make this big ofa difference?
And the short answer is yes.
It's exactly what happens whentechnology serves your mission
rather than replacing it.
So, as we move forward, I wantyou to carry this question with
(17:43):
you placing it so as we moveforward, I want you to carry
this question with you Ifadministration drag shrinks, how
much bigger can your impactbecome?
And with that thought in mind,let's dive deeper into the
mindset shifts needed to fullyembrace the AI-driven
fundraising and reclaim yourmost important resource, and
that's you.
So let's talk frankly aboutmindset, because embracing AI
(18:05):
isn't just a technological shift.
It's an emotional one.
It changes how you think aboutyour role, your workload and
even your identity as afundraiser, and a shifting
mindset can feel uncomfortable.
It's normal to feel resistanceand uncertainty, and the biggest
hurdle I've encountered, bothpersonally and when talking to
(18:26):
fundraisers across the country,is the worry that using AI,
especially something likeChatGPT, means losing your
authentic human touch.
Maybe you felt that too.
Perhaps you're thinking, keith,my strength is connecting
deeply with people.
Ai sounds impersonal.
It doesn't feel like me, and Iget that because that's exactly
(18:48):
how I felt initially.
My own skepticism ran deep.
After all, relationships arebuilt on trust and authenticity,
and the thought of turning thatsacred trust over, even
partially, to technology feltreally uncomfortable.
But here's the critical mindsetshift that transformed how I
saw AI and how you can too.
(19:09):
It's not about replacing yourpersonal touch, it's about
reclaiming it.
So think about it when you'rebogged down in repetitive tasks,
routine writing and endlessadministration, your authentic
human touch is alreadycompromised.
The drain of administrativeoverload isn't just a
frustration.
(19:29):
It subtly undermines yourability to connect genuinely
with donors.
Your focus splits your energyscatters, and what should be
meaningful conversations startfeeling transactional.
So instead of thinking AI willtake away my authenticity, try
shifting to.
Ai frees me to express myauthenticity more fully.
(19:52):
And let me be clear yoursuperpower as a fundraiser is
precisely that unique empathyand insight that you bring to
every interaction.
No, ai can replicate yourinstincts, your ability to
listen deeply, your sensitivityto settle signals in a
conversation.
Ai simply doesn't have thatcapability and it likely never
(20:15):
will, or at least not in ourlifetimes.
But it can clear awaydistractions, lighten the
administrative load and give youthe space and energy that you
need to bring your whole,authentic self to work.
And here's another commonlimiting belief that often
surfaces AI will lead tomistakes or inaccuracies that
(20:35):
damage donor trust.
This fear is real and it'sunderstandable.
You value accuracy, trust, andit's understandable.
You value accuracy, trust andintegrity deeply and rightly so.
So donors rely on yourcredibility and any missteps can
feel high stakes.
(20:59):
But here's where a secondmindset shift is crucial.
You don't trust AI blindly.
You guide it purposefully.
Think of AI like an eager,hardworking intern, someone
bright and capable, but in needof clear direction and careful
oversight.
Just as you'd never expect anew intern to handle high stakes
donor communications withoutchecking their work, ai requires
the same careful oversight.
You're never outsourcing yourjudgment.
(21:20):
You're guiding the output toreflect your values and your
standards.
Practically speaking, thismeans establishing a simple
routine.
Use ChatGPT for quick,efficient first drafts or
summaries, then step in withyour expertise, your insights
and your careful eye for nuance.
The final product isn't an AIcreation.
(21:42):
It's your creation, simplyaccelerated by thoughtful use of
technology.
And let's also address anotherimportant mindset block.
Learning to use AI is justanother overwhelming task added
to my place.
I don't have the time.
Believe me, I understand thatsentiment deeply.
(22:02):
You're already pressed for time.
The thought of adding even aminor learning curve can feel
daunting, but here's the shift.
Ai isn't another burden.
It's a tool designedspecifically to remove burdens.
This isn't about spending hourslearning a complicated system.
Ai, especially tools likeChatGPT, is remarkably intuitive
(22:25):
, with a handful ofstraightforward prompts and a
minimal initial investment oftime literally minutes, not
hours.
You'll quickly reclaim thoseminutes and more, week after
week.
So let me ask you this If youknew a small upfront investment
of time say an hour this weekwould immediately begin paying
(22:45):
dividends of hours saved everyweek afterward, wouldn't it be
worth the leap?
And that's exactly the reality.
Fundraisers I've worked withexperience.
After just a few prompttemplates and a bit of initial
familiarity, they're off andrunning.
It's not another complexplatform.
It's a simple, intuitiveassistant that immediately
(23:07):
starts easing the administrativeload.
So let's touch on one moremindset hurdle, perhaps the one
that's most profound of all.
Ai feels like a threat to myjob security or my value as a
fundraiser.
And if you've ever felt thisfear, you're not alone.
Ai anxiety is prevalent invirtually every profession right
(23:29):
now.
But the truth is the oppositeof what you might fear, and
here's the critical reframing AIdoesn't threaten your job, it
elevates it.
Think for a moment about whatmakes fundraising uniquely human
Empathy, nuanced judgment,emotional intelligence,
creativity and engaging donors,and these are precisely the
(23:53):
areas that ai can't replicate.
Ai excels at repetition,summarizing information and
providing great starting points.
It's not good at human insight,at emotional resonance and at
personal connections.
Those are uniquely human skillsand they're your skills.
When AI manages the repetitive,predictable tasks, your
(24:15):
uniquely human skills come frontand center.
Instead of feeling replaceable,your value becomes clear and
even more essential In an AIsupported workflow.
Fundraisers aren'tinterchangeable.
We're irreplaceable.
So consider this shiftcarefully.
Your value isn't diminished byusing AI.
(24:37):
Your value actually increases.
Your capacity for creativityand empathy grows.
Your expertise shines brighter,your relationships deepen.
And let's pause here and ask animportant question what would
change for you professionally ifyou fully embrace this mindset,
If you viewed AI as a tool thatelevates your skills and
(24:59):
deepens your impact?
And finally, let's address onelast subtle mindset barrier that
often sneaks in.
I've tried shiny new toolsbefore.
They never deliver as promised,and that skepticism is healthy.
You've likely experienced techtools that promise the moon and
the stars and deliveredfrustration instead.
(25:19):
It's understandable to hesitate, but the difference here is
significant.
Ai tools like ChatGPT aren't aone-off shiny tool.
It's a practical, reliablepartner already proven across
industries.
Millions of people use thisvery tool every day, not as a
flashy gadget, but as a reliableassistant.
(25:40):
Its utility is proven and yourchallenge isn't whether it works
.
It's simply discovering howbest it can work for you, for
your donors and for your mission.
And the beauty of startingsmall, with just a few prompts,
just a few tasks, is preciselythat.
You're not making a grand,risky leap.
(26:01):
You're taking measured stepsthat immediately return value.
This isn't blind trust.
It's careful exploration.
So as we move forward today,here's the mindset shifts.
In summary, we're moving fromAI feels impersonal to AI allows
me to be more personal.
(26:22):
We're switching from AI risksmistakes to AI is a tool I guide
carefully.
We're switching from AI addsanother burden to AI lifts
burdens quickly and we'releaving behind.
Ai threatens my job to AIenhances my value.
(26:44):
We're switching from AI is justanother shiny tool to AI is a
proven and practical partner toAI as a proven and practical
partner.
Reflect on these shifts,consider which resonates most
deeply for you, because the goalhere isn't about technology.
It's about the confidence, theclarity and the focus that
(27:05):
technology can return to you.
It's about reclaiming theessence of fundraising Authentic
, relationship-drivenhuman-to-human connection.
And here's the truth that we'releaning into today.
Stewardship isn't about moreactivity, it's about deeper
impact.
Ai is simply a path to deeperimpact.
(27:28):
So, with the shift in mindset,imagine stepping back into your
role tomorrow.
What tasks might you approachdifferently?
What new freedom would you feel, knowing that your authenticity
is no longer compromised byadministrative overload?
Hold on to that thought, carryit forward, because that's
exactly the future we'rebuilding, one thoughtful,
(27:51):
meaningful step at a time.
So let's quickly recap thejourney we've taken today,
because we've covered a lot.
We started by acknowledging thatrelationships sit at the heart
of fundraising, but thatadministrative drag often gets
in the way, diluting your energy, your focus and your passion.
We then explore how practical,careful use of chat GPT can
(28:12):
reduce your administrativeburden, freeing your time for
deeper, more meaningfulconnections with donors.
We also tackled somesignificant mindset shifts.
Ai doesn't dilute yourauthenticity.
It simply amplifies it.
It doesn't threaten your job,it elevates it.
Ai, when used wisely, is yourpartner in reclaiming what
matters most in fundraisinggenuine human relationships and
(28:35):
authentic stewardship.
But now let's turn thisconversation into action, your
action.
So here's what I want you to do.
Pick one simple donorcommunications task today.
Maybe it's a thank you emailyou've been meaning to send, or
a quick donor summary you'vebeen dreading putting together.
Use the straightforwardtwo-step chat GPT prompt we
(28:56):
discussed earlier.
Give it some basic context andremember no sensitive details,
and ask it for a first draft.
Try it once today and thenreach out and let me know how
many minutes did you reclaim,what new possibilities opened up
when your administrative loadgot lighter.
This isn't an opt-in, it's justa friendly invitation.
(29:17):
So message me on LinkedIn,share your quick win and let's
celebrate together how evensmall steps can lead to big
shifts in your fundraising.
Because next week we're divingdeeper.
We'll tackle exactly how toensure donor data stays secure
and private, even as youleverage AI.
If you've worried about datasafety or even felt hesitant to
(29:39):
fully embrace AI, next week'sepisode is built precisely for
you, because here's the truthFundraising isn't about doing
more.
It's about doing better.
It's about stewardingrelationships deeply and
authentically, and technology,when thoughtfully embraced, can
be your greatest ally inachieving exactly that.
So until next time, keepbuilding your relationships,
(30:02):
reclaiming your time and, mostimportantly, keep making an
impact.
I'll see you soon.
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