Will AI Replace Your Development Team? Insights from IFC ’24
At this year’s The Resource Alliance’s International Fundraising Congress (IFC ’24), I attended a session titled “Will AI Replace Your Development Team in Fundraising?” led by Anne Murphy and Nathan Chappell, MBA, MNA, CFRE. As someone deeply involved in both AI strategy and nonprofit development, this session raised critical questions about the future of fundraising teams, the role of AI, and the balance between technological efficiency and human empathy.
Exploring the AI Frontier in Fundraising
The nonprofit world is grappling with a question many other industries are also asking: Will AI eventually replace us? This was the central theme of Murphy and Chappell’s presentation. Both speakers brought unique perspectives—Murphy, a self-proclaimed techno-optimist, sees AI as an enabler of growth and efficiency, while Chappell starts with caution, focusing on the potential harms AI could bring before weighing the benefits. Yet, despite their differing approaches, both agreed: AI is here to stay, and its role in fundraising is only going to grow.
One concept that stood out to me was the idea of autonomous fundraising. This is where AI could take on tasks traditionally handled by humans, such as drafting appeals, identifying donors, and even personalizing donor communications. The economic incentives for using AI in these areas are clear—AI doesn’t require sleep, training, or performance reviews. It’s scalable, affordable, and efficient. But as the session delved deeper into this topic, the real question emerged: Is sounding authentic the same as being authentic?
AI’s Role in Enhancing, Not Replacing, Fundraising
A key takeaway from the session was that AI, while powerful, should not be viewed as a replacement for the human element in fundraising. Chappell emphasized that fundraising is inherently human—it’s about solving human problems, building relationships, and fostering trust. No matter how sophisticated AI becomes, it cannot fully replicate the deep connections between fundraisers and donors.
Murphy and Chappell introduced an important distinction: AI can augment human efforts, making certain tasks more efficient, but it must be used responsibly. As nonprofits, we don’t just operate in the realm of products or services—we operate in the currency of trust. This means that every decision we make around AI must take into account the values of transparency, empathy, and long-term human impact.
The Challenges and Ethical Concerns of AI
The session also addressed the ethical challenges that come with AI adoption. One issue that particularly resonated with me was the potential to exploit donor trust if AI is overused or misused. As Chappell explained, there’s a fine line between using AI to sound human and building authentic, human connections. It’s crucial that nonprofits carefully navigate this line to avoid alienating donors who may feel uncomfortable with automated interactions.
In a world where AI-generated content and conversations can be easily scaled, we must ask ourselves: What is inherently human about fundraising? And how can we ensure that AI supports—rather than replaces—these essential human connections?
Moving Forward: A Measured Approach to AI
One of the most important takeaways is the need for a measured approach to AI in fundraising. Rather than rushing to automate everything, nonprofits should pause and assess how AI fits into their long-term mission and values. Murphy and Chappell encouraged nonprofits to involve diverse stakeholders in these discussions—not just the leadership team, but fundraisers on the frontlines, data scientists, and even interns—to ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
The rise of Responsible AI (RAI) frameworks in the nonprofit sector is a promising development. These frameworks are designed to ensure that AI is used in ways that align with organizational values, safeguard donor trust, and consider both short-term benefits and long-term impacts. At the heart of this discussion is the idea that nonprofits, more than any other sector, must prioritize ethical considerations when implementing AI.
Conclusion: Balancing Efficiency and Humanity
The big question from this session—Will AI replace your development team?—doesn’t have a simple yes or no answer. AI can undoubtedly streamline operations, make fundraising more efficient, and unlock new possibilities. However, as Murphy and Chappell pointed out, the human element remains irreplaceable in fundraising. Trust, empathy, and relationship-building are core to what we do, and while AI can enhance our work, it cannot—and should not—replace the heart of what makes fundraising so impactful.
As AI continues to evolve, our job as fundraisers and nonprofit leaders is to use it thoughtfully, ensuring that our practices remain grounded in the very human mission of solving problems, building communities, and making the world a better place.