AI and Charities: A Game-Changer for South African Nonprofits
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionising industries across the globe and the non-profit sector is no exception, especially when looking at AI and charities. For South African charities, AI presents an exciting opportunity to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and maximise impact—without requiring heavy investment in infrastructure. However, as with any transformative technology, AI comes with considerations and challenges that volunteer boards must navigate carefully.
The global adoption of AI-powered tools like ChatGPT has been rapid, with Insider Intelligence projecting that AI usage will reach 77.8 million users by 2024. If your charity isn’t leveraging AI yet, chances are you will be soon. The good news? Many AI tools are cloud-based, making them accessible on smartphones, laptops, and other devices, often at little to no cost. To harness AI effectively, organisations must establish guidelines ensuring responsible and strategic implementation.
The benefits of AI for South African nonprofits
Nonprofits typically operate on limited budgets with small teams. AI can help by automating time-consuming tasks, allowing staff and volunteers to focus on high-value activities such as community engagement and fundraising.
Automation of administrative tasks:
- Generating reports
- Sending reminders
- Entering data
- Scheduling appointments
- Answering frequently asked questions
Data analysis & insights:
AI can process and summarise large volumes of information from donor surveys, public engagement metrics, and grant applications, providing valuable insights for decision-making.
Marketing & communication:
AI-powered tools can assist with content creation for donor appeals, newsletters, social media updates, and impact reports—helping organisations maintain engagement with supporters while saving time and resources.
According to Beth Kanter, Allison Fine, and Philip Deng in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, AI can free up thousands of hours by handling routine work, allowing nonprofit teams to focus on building relationships, solving problems, and strengthening communities.
AI and charities
South African charities are already finding innovative ways to integrate AI into their operations. Key applications include:
1. Fundraising: AI can personalise donation appeals based on donor history, assist grant writers with applications, and analyse data to identify new funding opportunities.
2. Communications & Public Relations: Tools like ChatGPT and Bard can draft press releases, marketing materials, and social media posts. AI-driven chatbots can also improve donor and volunteer engagement by handling routine inquiries.
3. Customer Support & Service Delivery: Chatbots can provide instant responses to beneficiaries, volunteers, and donors, while predictive analytics can help charities anticipate future needs.
4. Data Analysis & Decision-Making: AI can quickly process complex datasets, providing valuable insights into community needs, volunteer engagement, and programme effectiveness.
While these benefits are promising, AI remains an evolving technology. It’s crucial for nonprofit leaders and board members to critically assess its role, considering both opportunities and potential risks.
Embracing AI for good
For South African charities, AI represents a powerful tool to advance their missions. By understanding its potential and addressing ethical considerations, nonprofit boards can harness AI to drive greater impact in communities.
Download our eBook and book a demo to explore how AI can transform your organisation while ensuring responsible and strategic adoption.