AI Tools and Learning Resources for Small Nonprofits on a Budget

If you’re running a small nonprofit with a limited budget and a small staff, you might think that using artificial intelligence (AI) tools is something only large organizations can benefit from. But here's the good news: there are free and affordable AI tools out there that can make your job easier and help your nonprofit operate more efficiently. Whether you're looking to improve your social media presence, streamline communication, or enhance your donor engagement, AI can help—without breaking the bank.

Here’s a guide to some of the best free and affordable AI tools for small nonprofits, along with some resources to learn how to use them effectively.

AI Tools for Nonprofits

Tool	What it Does	Department	Example of Nonprofit Application
Canva (Free & Paid)	Design tool that uses AI to help you create social media posts, reports, and more.	Marketing, Communications	Design eye-catching social media posts, event flyers, or annual reports with minimal design skills.
Grammarly (Free & Paid)	AI-powered writing assistant that helps improve grammar, tone, and clarity.	Marketing, Fundraising, Communications	Write compelling donor emails, social media posts, or blog content that is clear and error-free.
Hootsuite (Free & Paid)	AI-assisted social media scheduling and analytics tool.	Marketing, Communications	Schedule posts in advance, track engagement, and optimize your social media strategy with easy-to-understand insights.
Mailchimp (Free & Paid)	Email marketing platform with AI tools to help you create effective campaigns.	Fundraising, Marketing	Automate email campaigns to donors or volunteers and get insights into what subject lines and content work best.
Zapier (Free & Paid)	Automates repetitive tasks by connecting different tools you use.	Operations, Fundraising	Set up workflows that automatically send donor acknowledgment emails or update spreadsheets with new volunteer sign-ups.
ChatGPT (Free & Paid)	AI chatbot that can help generate content, answer questions, and assist with tasks.	Marketing, Communications	Use ChatGPT to draft blog posts, social media content, or even donor communications quickly.
Trello (Free & Paid)	Project management tool with AI-powered features to help you stay organized.	Operations, Fundraising	Organize campaigns, fundraising events, or team tasks in a visual, easy-to-manage way.
Pexels (Free)	AI-powered stock photo and video library.	Marketing, Communications	Easily find high-quality, free images for social media posts, blogs, or event materials.
Lumen5 (Free & Paid)	Transforms text into engaging video content.	Marketing, Communications	Create social media videos, fundraising appeal videos, or educational content from articles or blog posts.
Airtable (Free & Paid)	AI-driven database management tool for organizing information.	Operations, Fundraising	Keep track of donors, volunteers, and events with an easy-to-use, customizable database.
Murf AI (Paid)	AI-driven voiceover tool that can turn text into realistic voice narration.	Marketing, Communications	Create professional voiceovers for video content or podcasts with ease, without needing voice actors.
Tidio (Free & Paid)	AI-powered live chat tool for website visitor interaction.	Marketing, Fundraising	Answer potential donors' or volunteers' questions in real time on your website using automated chatbots.
QuillBot (Free & Paid)	AI tool that helps with paraphrasing, rewording, and summarizing text.	Communications, Marketing	Quickly reword donation request letters, marketing content, or newsletter summaries to make them clearer and more engaging.
GrantGPT (Paid)	AI tool specifically designed to help with writing and editing grant proposals.	Fundraising, Grant Writing	Automatically generate grant proposal drafts, edit existing applications, and ensure your language is clear and compelling.
ProposalGen (Paid)	AI-driven grant writing tool that helps generate proposals based on nonprofit goals.	Fundraising, Grant Writing	Create customized, high-quality grant proposals faster by inputting your nonprofit's mission and project details.

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Learning Resources About AI for Nonprofits

Resource	What it Offers	Description
AI for Good (Microsoft)	A platform with free resources and tutorials on using AI for social impact.	Learn how nonprofits can use AI to solve social challenges with easy-to-follow resources and case studies.
TechSoup - AI for Nonprofits	A nonprofit resource offering AI tools and learning guides.	Provides affordable technology for nonprofits and guides on how to use AI tools effectively.
AI for Nonprofit Leaders	Free online training on how to implement AI tools in your nonprofit work.	Offers a beginner-friendly online course to help nonprofits understand and use AI tools for their missions.
Google for Nonprofits - AI Tools	Free tools and training from Google, including AI resources for nonprofits.	Learn about free Google tools that use AI to boost your nonprofit's presence, including Google Ads.
AI for Social Impact by Stanford	A comprehensive resource offering research and case studies on AI in social good.	Provides case studies and lessons on how nonprofits can harness AI to achieve their social goals.
AI & Nonprofits (Class Central)	A list of free courses that help nonprofits use AI and machine learning effectively.	Curates free courses on AI and machine learning for nonprofits, offered by top universities and institutions.
The Nonprofit AI Playbook	A step-by-step guide on how nonprofits can integrate AI into their operations.	Provides practical advice on how small nonprofits can start using AI tools, from basic to advanced strategies.
Artificial Intelligence in Nonprofits (LinkedIn Learning)	A course on understanding AI's role in nonprofits and how to use it effectively.	Offers a comprehensive course on how nonprofits can utilize AI for various functions, including marketing and fundraising.
AI for Good Foundation	Offers training, resources, and AI tools for nonprofit organizations.	A foundation dedicated to making AI accessible to nonprofits, with resources and collaboration opportunities.
AI Tools for Social Good (Coursera)	Online courses focusing on the use of AI for social good, including in nonprofits.	Offers online learning on using AI in nonprofit work to make a positive social impact.
AI in Nonprofits Webinar Series (Nonprofit Tech for Good)	Free webinars offering insights on AI tools for nonprofits.	Provides free webinars that teach nonprofit leaders about the latest AI tools and strategies in the sector.

These tools and resources will not only help with everyday nonprofit tasks like marketing and communication but also provide specialized support for the often-complex process of grant writing. With AI, you can speed up writing, ensure your proposals are compelling, and even improve your chances of securing funding—all while saving time and money.