There is no doubt AI can and will have a transformational impact on our work. In conversations with nonprofit leaders, a consistent challenge is not a lack of interest in AI—it is knowing how to evaluate where and how it should be used.
There is no shortage of possibilities. But without a clear way to assess them, it can be difficult to move forward with confidence.
What we have found is that progress often begins with a small set of well-framed questions.
A Different Way to Approach the Work
As organizations begin to explore AI more actively, they are encountering a growing number of situations that require judgment.
A new tool is introduced. A team member experiments with a different approach. A question arises about what is appropriate in a donor-facing context.
Individually, these moments may seem small. But without a consistent way to approach them, responses can vary across teams and situations. Over time, that inconsistency creates uncertainty—both in how AI is used and in how decisions are made.
What is needed is not an answer to every scenario, but a shared way of thinking that can be applied across them.
This approach assumes a basic level of internal clarity around AI use. For organizations still developing policies or guidelines, our earlier blog offers a starting point for that work.
Let Good Questions Guide the Work
In our work with fundraising teams, a short set of questions has proven to be both practical and effective:
- Does this help us better understand and serve our donors?
- Does this strengthen or weaken the authenticity of our communication?
- Does this align with our values and responsibilities?
- Does this allow our team to focus more on meaningful engagement?
These questions are intentionally simple. They are not meant to limit exploration but rather to bring clarity to it. And they can be applied across a wide range of situations, from internal preparation to donor-facing communication.
Why This Matters for Fundraising Teams
Fundraising decisions are rarely made in isolation. They are shaped by context, relationships and judgment.
That is what makes this kind of lens useful.
Rather than relying on individual interpretation in each moment, teams can begin to develop a shared understanding of what “appropriate use” looks like.
Over time, this leads to:
- Greater consistency in how AI is applied
- More confidence among staff in how to use it
- Stronger alignment across teams
- A donor experience that remains thoughtful and authentic
In this way, the questions themselves become part of the organization’s operating approach.
Putting This Into Practice
For many organizations, this does not require a formal rollout.
It can begin in smaller, more immediate ways:
- Introduce these questions in a team meeting as a discussion point
- Use them to evaluate a current or proposed use of AI
- Encourage staff to reference them when experimenting with new tools
- Incorporate them into existing guidelines or training over time
The goal is not perfection. It is consistency.
And consistency is what allows organizations to move forward with greater clarity.
A Practical Path Forward
In fundraising, the most important decisions have never been purely technical. They are grounded in understanding—of the donor, of the mission and of the connection between the two.
That same discipline applies here.
As organizations begin to incorporate AI into their work, the goal is not to have an answer for every scenario. It is to approach each situation with the same care and judgment that guide meaningful donor relationships. This is where a clear set of questions becomes valuable.
They help ensure that new tools are used in ways that:
- deepen understanding rather than shortcut it
- support authentic communication rather than dilute it
- create space for more meaningful engagement rather than less
In this way, AI does not change the nature of fundraising. It simply places greater importance on the thinking that has always mattered most.
At The Curtis Group, we see this as a continuation of the work nonprofit leaders do every day:
Connecting mission to donor passion.
Listening carefully.
And making decisions that strengthen trust over time.
Let’s Continue the Conversation
If your organization is exploring the strategic adoption and evolution of AI, our team is ready to work alongside you to navigate this moment thoughtfully.
Explore our Strategic AI Adoption Resources, and reach out to us to start a thoughtful conversation about how your organization can harness the real promise of AI—where leadership, trust and curiosity meet.
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