The Fundraising AI Journey
From finding grants to retaining donors - AI techniques for every stage of the fundraising cycle.
This pathway covers the complete fundraising lifecycle, showing how AI can support each stage - from discovering opportunities to nurturing long-term donor relationships.
We start with finding and qualifying funding opportunities, then move to writing stronger applications, and finish with donor engagement and retention. Each stage builds on the last, but you can also jump to whichever section is most relevant to your current priorities.
These techniques are particularly valuable for small fundraising teams who need to cover a lot of ground with limited resources.
Before you start
- •Access to Claude Pro or ChatGPT Plus (some recipes need larger context windows)
- •Access to your CRM data (anonymised exports work fine)
- •Basic familiarity with spreadsheets
- •Completed "First Steps with AI" pathway or equivalent experience
What you will achieve
- ✓Reduce time spent on grant searching by 50% or more
- ✓Write stronger, better-aligned funding applications
- ✓Communicate more effectively with supporters at scale
- ✓Use data to make smarter fundraising decisions
Pathway stages
Find and Qualify Opportunities
3-4 hours
Discover relevant grants and partnerships, then prioritise where to focus your limited time.
Recipes in this stage
- Find Relevant Grants Automatically
Cast a wider net without spending hours on manual searching
- Prioritise Grant Applications To Pursue
Focus on grants where you have the best chance of success
- Find Corporate Partnership Opportunities(optional)
Identify companies whose CSR priorities align with your mission
What you will be able to do
- ✓Spend less time on grant searches
- ✓Make data-informed decisions about which opportunities to pursue
- ✓Discover opportunities you would have missed
Apply and Win
3-4 hours
Write stronger applications and generate better reports for existing funders.
Recipes in this stage
- Tailor Application To Grant Brief
Align your application language with funder priorities
- Review Funding Bids Before Submission
Get AI feedback on your draft before submitting
- Generate Grant Reports From Project Data
Turn project data into compelling funder reports
What you will be able to do
- ✓Write more compelling applications faster
- ✓Catch issues before submission
- ✓Produce better quality funder reports
Donor Engagement
4-5 hours
Communicate more effectively with supporters at scale.
Recipes in this stage
- Write Fundraising Email Campaigns
Draft email sequences that feel personal but work at scale
- Personalise Donor Communications
Tailor messages based on giving history and interests
- Discover Donor Segments Automatically
Understand your supporter base better through data analysis
What you will be able to do
- ✓Send more relevant communications
- ✓Understand your donor base more deeply
- ✓Increase engagement without increasing workload
Retention and Stewardship
3-4 hours
Keep supporters engaged and catch warning signs early.
Recipes in this stage
- Spot Donors Who Might Stop Giving
Identify at-risk donors before they lapse
- Automate Responses To Common Supporter Emails
Respond faster to supporter enquiries
- Identify Content Themes That Resonate With Supporters(optional)
Understand what your supporters actually care about
What you will be able to do
- ✓Reduce donor churn through early intervention
- ✓Provide faster supporter service
- ✓Create content that resonates with your audience