Tech and Impact: Conversation with Idealist Consulting

In our recent monthly webinar series, Tech and Impact, we sat down with Idealist Consulting's CEO and Founder, Rob Jordan, to discuss the myths surrounding AI technology for nonprofits and how, as an organization, they can cross the chasm from early adoption to leveraging this new technology to streamline their efforts. 

You can read a full recap of our conversation below with powerful takeaways that your organization can implement starting today! You can also catch the entire session on-demand here!

Enhancing Salesforce with AI to Empower Nonprofit Teams

Nonprofits often rely on Salesforce as their central hub for donor and volunteer data. However, some organizations hesitate to adopt AI due to the learning curve involved. Rob suggests that “monitoring your successes with AI” can be a powerful motivator for late adopters. By tracking the improvements AI brings, such as faster response times and more efficient workflows, organizations can visualize the tangible value AI adds to their operations.

One way AI improves efficiency is through Salesforce Agentsforce, which streamline tasks like response times and workflows. Rob describes how these agents allow nonprofits to execute tasks quickly, saving valuable time. “Where maybe it might take a little bit longer for an individual to do, AI can jump in and make that workflow much quicker,” says Rob.

To drive home the importance of AI-powered monitoring, Rob recommends setting up reporting mechanisms that illustrate these improvements. “Making sure you are aware of your improvements… once people start seeing that improved writing actually encourages heightened fundraising, they’re going to be in a situation where they’re going to start seeing the value of the technology.” AI can, therefore, serve as a foundation for continuous learning and improvement.

Streamlined Engagement and Productivity

AI has the potential to simplify repetitive tasks, allowing nonprofit staff to focus on strategic initiatives. One standout feature highlighted by Rob is Gmail's email tool, which helps to expedite communications with automated suggestions. This feature, often available in Gmail and other email clients, can “keep emails running” with pre-populated text that reduces the need for repetitive typing. This is particularly useful for nonprofits with limited staff who manage high volumes of communication across teams and supporters.

Social media managers can also benefit from AI’s capabilities to “whip up things quickly,” Kelly notes. From automating post creation to providing content suggestions based on audience engagement patterns, AI enables organizations to maintain a consistent social media presence without exhausting team resources.

Yet, while these day-to-day AI tools streamline communication, there are even more impactful ways to harness AI’s potential within platforms like Salesforce—particularly in areas such as volunteer management and donor engagement.

Overcoming Data Concerns and Ensuring Privacy

As the conversation progressed, Kelly and Rob addressed one of the biggest hurdles for AI adoption in nonprofits: data security. Rob compared current concerns around AI with the initial skepticism toward cloud computing. Early adopters of cloud technology had significant reservations about data privacy, but over time, secure protocols became widely trusted. In a similar vein, Rob believes that AI will eventually reach a point where people feel “safe leveraging it.”

Kelly assures that data security is a top priority within the Golden platform. “Golden leverages AI within the platform as well, and data security is of the utmost importance,” she emphasizes. This includes full data encryption and no sharing of information with external sources. “Volunteer and donor information is incredibly sensitive, and we want to be very respectful of that,” she continues. By adopting these secure practices, Golden offers a solution that empowers nonprofits to use AI confidently without compromising data integrity.

AI for Volunteer-to-Donor Conversion: A Key to Deepening Support

One of the most valuable ways nonprofits can leverage AI is to identify potential donor opportunities within their volunteer base. Kelly explains how Golden’s AI-driven analytics can identify volunteers who are deeply engaged and potentially interested in donating. By integrating Golden’s data with Salesforce, organizations can see “moments of opportunity” and determine which volunteers are ready to support financially.

“For example,” Kelly shares, “if you have 5,000 volunteers and 10% of them are routinely showing up to volunteer with your organization, they’re dedicating a significant amount of time equating to hundreds of dollars each year.” Golden’s system can highlight these dedicated individuals, marking them as prime candidates for additional nurturing. This data can then be shared with the development team, who can approach these volunteers with tailored, meaningful asks. “By having this great integration with your Salesforce CRM, you can start pushing this data back and forth,” says Kelly.

Rob adds that nonprofits should avoid thinking of volunteers as separate from their donor pool. In fact, he points out that “roughly 80% of the fundraising they receive comes from less than 5% of their constituency.” By identifying volunteers who regularly engage with the organization, attend events, and support initiatives, AI makes it easier to find supporters with the potential to contribute financially. This approach not only saves time but also aligns the efforts of development and volunteer management teams, breaking down traditional silos.

How AI Boosts Donor Engagement and Drives Strategic Impact

Through Golden’s AI integration, organizations can streamline donor outreach, track engagement, and make personalized asks. For instance, AI can calculate the approximate value of a volunteer’s time donation, as Kelly describes with an example volunteer, “John.” Based on John’s 5 hours a month, which equates to $165 in donated time, AI can prompt the development team to suggest an additional $50 monthly contribution. This approach transforms the traditional fundraising model by acknowledging and building upon the supporter’s existing contributions.

By providing tailored recommendations, AI enables nonprofits to deepen relationships with their most dedicated supporters. Rob underscores the time-saving benefits of this approach, stating, “When you’ve got AI doing that sorting for you, you are saving a ton of time.” Ultimately, AI is a time-saving tool that empowers nonprofits to connect with supporters on a more personalized level, encouraging sustained engagement and contributions.

Key Takeaways for Nonprofits

The conversation between Kelly Cristaldi and Rob Jordan highlights several actionable insights for nonprofits looking to integrate AI into their operations:

• Streamlined Communication: From automated email suggestions to AI-generated social media posts, small AI enhancements can significantly improve efficiency in daily nonprofit operations.
• Enhanced Data Monitoring in Salesforce: By setting up AI-powered monitoring, nonprofits can measure the improvements AI brings, from faster response times to better workflows, and reinforce the value of adopting new technologies.
• Data Security as a Priority: As with early cloud computing concerns, AI data security can be ensured through encryption and privacy-focused protocols, enabling organizations to adopt AI with confidence.
• AI-Driven Volunteer-to-Donor Conversion: Golden’s AI integration with Salesforce offers nonprofits a seamless way to identify high-potential donors within their volunteer base, allowing for more strategic outreach and deeper supporter relationships.
• Personalized Donor Engagement: AI helps nonprofits calculate the impact of a volunteer’s time, empowering development teams to approach volunteers with personalized, meaningful asks that align with their existing contributions.