As we reflect upon this past year (and our most viewed blog content), it’s clear four key themes captured the attention of nonprofit fundraisers and marketers. These themes – digital engagement and personalization, data management, and individual donor engagement– aren’t passing trends, but priorities that will continue to shape the future of the nonprofit industry.
In this blog post, we delve into these four themes and explore how they will evolve in 2024. More importantly, we will examine how emerging nonprofit technologies will empower nonprofits to deepen their effectiveness and reach through these four focus areas.
Digital Engagement and Personalization Strategies
The nonprofit industry now understands the importance of implementing digital strategies and tools to engage with their constituents. By leveraging internal and external data, nonprofits launch targeted multichannel marketing campaigns via their online channels such as their website or social media accounts. These digital interactions provide valuable feedback to nonprofits regarding their donors’ preferences.
In 2024, nonprofits will continue to explore how to leverage their data to add sophistication to their digital campaigns. For those organizations that utilize an integrated digital engagement platform and CRM such as StratusLIVE’s Nonprofit Industry Cloud Solution, they will be best suited to take advantage of the latest technological advances.
If this year, nonprofits explored utilizing AI tools such as ChatGPT, in 2024, nonprofits will consider how to integrate these tools within their existing platforms. These integrations will allow for deepened donor personalization and increased platform and data utilization.
Content creation via generative AI such as Ignite AI streamlines asset production for nonprofits. Beyond creating copy, generative media (including images and video) reflects an organization’s unique values and mission. Incorporating these custom images within an online donation page offers a level of distinction that draws in donors.
In addition to the power of generative AI, predictive analytics provides yet another layer of sophistication to digital engagement. Future donor behavior can be predicted based upon previous donor data, statistical algorithms, and machine learning. With integrated predictive AI tools built within a digital engagement platform, nonprofit marketers can have content customized for specific audiences built within an engagement page. This allows nonprofits to bring the potential of data to life - tailoring their message directly to the unique interests and preferences of their constituents.
Donor Engagement and Relationship Building
An interest in exploring innovative individual giving strategies indicates that today's fundraisers are focused on building strong, lasting donor relationships. This includes experimenting with new and creative ways to connect with and retain donors. Strong individual giving strategies are the backbone to sustained giving. By prioritizing donor relationships and preferences, nonprofits unlock the key to recurring revenue.
How can the latest nonprofit technologies transform donor engagement in 2024?
Through the use of integrated generative and predictive AI, nonprofits make the best use of their engagement technology. The results of these campaigns then fuel future fundraising intelligence. Furthermore by integrating AI and automation within nonprofit operations, fundraisers can prioritize the 'people' side of development work. For example, a strong use case for AI within major gifts fundraising is drafting emails to contacts you are scheduled to meet with or contact.
Beyond AI, integrated technology platforms simplify the process to donate or engage with nonprofits. Through the use of one login, constituents can choose how they want to get involved with a cause. This ease of use encourages action and engagement which then offers donor relations and stewardship staff the opportunity to delve deeper through relationship building.
Data Management and Utilization
As nonprofit organizations implement more sophisticated technology systems and infrastructure, the need for comprehensive and consistent data standards will become even more critical. This need coupled with the lack of dedicated internal IT resources and strategic IT leadership from the C-Suite places the burden on other staff members to manage IT-related tasks. This can lead to inefficiencies and an increased risk of technical issues.
AI advancements empower 'accidental techies' with tools to feel more capable and assured in their roles. First, AI systems can streamline the data import process. By feeding data into the system, the technology can apply consistent formatting. This increases efficiencies and reduces the potential for human error.
Another AI opportunity lies within the creation of Standard Operating Procedures. Automating this process ensures that data standards are created and consistent maintenance guarantees that the documentation is always up to date. This provides peace of mind that standards are upheld throughout the organization.
Finally, with the emergence of AI assistants and custom GPTs, users can receive expert guidance within their technology systems. From recommendations to improve forms or guidance to perform custom queries, these assistants can serve as an extension of the IT team. These advancements will empower both the accidental techie and dedicated IT staff to maximize the usage of their database and drive strategic technology use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as we embark on a new year, it is clear that AI-driven technologies will continue to shape and deepen nonprofit expertise in digital engagement, donor relationships, and data management. Nonprofit professionals who embrace these advancements and remain adaptable will be well-equipped to deliver transformative change. With the power of AI at their fingertips, nonprofits have the opportunity to make a lasting impact in their communities and achieve their missions with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Catch up on our most-read blog posts of 2023!
