Let’s get one thing straight: we’re big fans of AI in nonprofit communications. We’ve hosted webinars, built training resources, and actively encourage nonprofit communicators to use AI to speed up content creation, brainstorm ideas, and reduce the mental load.
But it can only take you so far.
As helpful as AI in nonprofit communications can be, it still needs a strategic human brain behind it.
Yes, it’s fast. Yes, it’s powerful. But it’s also a little too agreeable. If you ask AI to write something and then ask, “Is this any good?” it’s going to tell you it’s amazing. Optimized. Just what your audience wants. (See ChatGPT Wasn’t Supposed to Kiss Your Ass This Hard for some wild examples.)
A big problem is AI doesn’t actually know your audience. You do.
And if you’re relying on AI to tell you whether something is effective, engaging, or even accurate, it’s kind of like asking your dog if your new haircut looks good. You’ll get love, not truth.
That’s where we come in – our training and workshops, our All-Access Pass, and our supportive community for nonprofit communicators.
We’ve worked with hundreds of nonprofit communicators up close, and we know what works (and what’s just a to-do list dressed up as a plan).
You need humans who understand nuance, organizational culture, and the difference between what sounds good in theory and what actually gets results.
And that’s also where you come in.
Because as AI gets easier for everyone to use, standing out means showing up as a human.
That means:
- Personalization beyond a first name in the salutation
- Segmentation that actually makes sense for your list
- Messaging that sounds like it came from someone who gets it (not just someone who can use ChatGPT)
We’ve been saying this long before AI was even part of the conversation: nonprofit communications have to sound human. Too many nonprofits default to a formal, institutional tone that is way too stiff for today’s media world.
Human connection in nonprofit marketing has always mattered and now that AI can generate all the generic language (and em dashes) you want, sounding like a real person is even more essential.
AI can help you move faster, but it can’t replace the trust, empathy, or connection that comes from real people doing real work. That human element is what donors, volunteers, clients, and community members are looking for. And if you skip that part, your messages will sound just like everyone else’s.
So yes, use AI. Let it save you time. Let it suggest a draft or an outline or a catchy subject line.
But don’t let it have the final say. That’s your job. And we’re here to help you do it better, with actual human support, real feedback, and a community of peers who aren’t afraid to say, “Yeah, that could be stronger.” or “Your boss is an idiot.”
Your communications program needs you. And AI can’t do it all. It needs you too.
Want help adding that human touch to your email strategy? Join us for Beyond the Blast: Collect Better Data, Send Better Nonprofit Emails – a live webinar all about sending smarter, more personalized emails that actually connect with your supporters.
