Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just tech jargon anymore; it’s right here, in charity offices, supporter journeys, and grant applications.

At its core, AI means machines learning from data to do things that usually require human thinking, like spotting patterns, making decisions, or writing reports. And in 2025, it’s gone from “maybe one day” to “we’re already using it.”

In fact, more than three-quarters of UK charities are now using AI tech in their everyday work. That’s a huge shift from just a year ago. Whether it’s saving time on admin, raising more through personalised appeals, or making sense of complex impact data, AI is helping charities do more with less.

What’s changed?

AI tools have become easier to access, cheaper to run, and more useful for the kind of work charities do. They’re no longer reserved for big tech budgets. From small community groups to national names, organisations are using AI to:

Write funding bids faster
Spot patterns in donor behaviour
Send the right message to the right supporter at the right time
Measure their impact more effectively
Manage volunteers and events
And a lot more, with less time and staff

But it’s not just about speeding things up. AI is transforming how charities think, plan, and grow. It’s changing the rules of what’s possible, especially when budgets are tight and expectations are high.

And that’s why now’s the time to talk about it.

What’s working? What’s risky? Where do you even start?

Let me break it all down without the hype, and with helpful insight into how AI affects the charity sector in 2025 and beyond.

How AI Helps Charities Do More with Less

Most charity teams don’t have extra hours or hands. AI helps take care of repetitive tasks so your team can focus on the work that matters. And it’s not just admin. From fundraising to impact reporting, AI tools for charities are helping people get more done with less.

Here’s where it’s making the biggest difference in 2025.

1. Freeing Up Time for What Matters

AI isn’t here to replace you; it’s here to assist with your workload.

Right now, nearly half of UK charities use AI to reduce admin. That includes things like:

Writing emails and thank-you notes
Creating meeting summaries
Organising calendars and tasks
Drafting reports and content

It’s helping teams save time and think bigger. Instead of spending hours writing up board minutes, AI can summarise a Zoom transcript in seconds. Need to send personalised donor updates? Done. You can still tweak and review, but the heavy lifting is handled.

48 out of 100 charities now use AI to help with writing tasks, up from 28 last year.
46 out of 100 use it for admin and project planning.

That’s not just convenient, it’s game-changing for stretched teams.

2. Smarter Fundraising and Donor Engagement

AI fundraising tech isn’t just fast, it’s smart.

Imagine knowing exactly when a supporter is likely to give, what message will speak to them, and how much they’re ready to donate. That’s what predictive analytics and AI-driven donor segmentation are making possible.

Charities are using AI to:

Segment donors based on behaviour, interests, and giving history
Personalise donation pages and appeals
Predict which donors are at risk of dropping off
Suggest the best donation amount for each supporter

Some charities saw a 12% increase in donation value when using AI to personalise asks.

37% of charities now use AI for supporter engagement and fundraising.

And it’s not just the big players. Charities of all sizes are using these tools. One team member and a good tool can now do what used to take a full comms team weeks.

3. Show Your Impact, Improve Your Services

You’ve got data, and AI helps you make sense of it.

AI for measuring impact helps charities track what’s working and what’s not, without spending weeks buried in spreadsheets. And in service delivery, it helps teams respond faster and more effectively, especially when dealing with high volumes of cases or requests.

Charities are using AI to:

Analyse beneficiary feedback
Track outcomes in real time
Spot where services work or where gaps exist
Monitor sentiment from emails, forms, or online channels

Parkinson’s UK, for example, used AI to monitor conversations on calls and online, helping them tweak services when people needed different types of support.

It’s a great example of how AI for service delivery doesn’t replace human care; it strengthens it.

4. Charity AI Examples

Here’s how UK charities are already putting AI to work:

Prostate Cancer UK: They used AI to analyse supporter data and identify the best people to reach out to during their Christmas appeal. Result? They doubled their fundraising returns.
Small local charities: Many are using AI for grant research and proposal writing, helping them find funding opportunities and draft applications faster, even without dedicated fundraising staff.

Almost half of small charities now use AI for this purpose.

Organisations across the UK:

46% use AI for admin and project planning
36% use AI to help find and apply for grants
38% plan to expand AI use even further this year

AI is transforming how charities operate, automating tedious admin tasks, creating customised fundraising campaigns that resonate with donors, and turning complex data into clear insights that prove real-world impact.

How Charities Are Using AI

You don’t need a data lab or an in-house developer to use AI anymore. Many UK charities are already using off-the-shelf tools that plug straight into their day-to-day work, no coding required.

Here are the most common (and useful) ways AI in the charity sector is making a difference right now:

1. AI-Powered Fundraising Tools

Fundraising is getting smarter, not more stressful.

AI fundraising tools help you raise more by analysing patterns in how people give, when they give, and how they respond to messages. Then they use that data to improve your campaigns in real time.

You can:

Predict which campaigns are likely to perform well
Automatically test different messages and donation asks
Track giving trends and tweak your appeal on the fly
Set up triggers that send reminders when someone abandons a donation page

This is one of the fastest-growing uses of AI for donor engagement across UK charities.

2. Donor Segmentation and Personalised Communications

The days of sending the same newsletter to everyone are gone.

AI CRM systems for charities now include donor segmentation features that group your supporters based on:

Giving frequency
Donation size
Event attendance
Interests or campaign history

Once grouped, AI-powered automation can send customised messages to each segment, so your regular givers get a thank you, your lapsed donors get a nudge, and your potential fundraisers get an invite.

Some systems even write the message for you using natural language processing (NLP).

This kind of AI-driven communication leads to higher open rates, stronger relationships, and more long-term giving.

3. AI Chatbots for Supporter Engagement

Think of it as a digital team member who never sleeps.

AI chatbots for charities can answer supporter questions 24/7 on your website, donation pages, or even WhatsApp.

Common use cases:

Answering FAQs about campaigns or events
Guiding people through the donation process
Collecting feedback or contact info
Recommending services or resources

Whether it’s 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., chatbots help your charity and take pressure off your staff.

This can be very helpful for charities dealing with high volumes of queries (especially during busy campaigns). And they’re getting better at handling conversations thanks to AI natural language tools like ChatGPT.

4. AI Insights for Better Campaign Planning

Planning your next campaign? AI already knows what might work best.

Predictive analytics for charities looks at past campaigns, donor trends, and supporter behaviour to help you:

Forecast donation income
Choose the best timing for appeals
Prioritise high-value supporters
Spot donor fatigue or drop-off early

It’s like switching from guesswork to insight. And the best part, it works whether you’re running a £5k local appeal or a national campaign.

Charities using predictive tools are already seeing stronger results and less wasted effort.

5. Finding and Applying for Grants

Grant funding is competitive and time-consuming. AI helps level the playing field.

Charities (especially smaller ones) are using AI to:

Search hundreds of grant databases instantly
Match criteria with funder priorities
Draft compelling applications
Track deadlines and progress

Almost half of small charities use AI for grant research and applications.

And that’s without a dedicated bid writer. Tools like Grantable or AI plugins in Microsoft Word make this possible in a few clicks.

This use of AI for proposal writing is one of the most accessible and impactful areas for teams with limited capacity.

6. Making Volunteer Recruitment Easier with AI

Managing volunteers takes time, especially when you’re dealing with forms, availability, and communication.

AI for volunteer management helps by:

Matching people to suitable roles
Predicting volunteer no-shows based on past behaviour
Automating shift reminders and onboarding
Analysing volunteer feedback

It also helps you see which roles are most in demand, which volunteers are most engaged, and where you might need to focus recruitment.

Whether you’ve got five volunteers or 500, AI-powered scheduling and communication tools help keep things organised and volunteers feeling supported.

Not Just Tech, It’s Practical Help

These tools aren’t created to replace people. They’re here to remove the time-sinks and increase the parts of your work that already matter.

And most of them are easier to use than you might expect. Many are already built into platforms that charities use every day, from donor databases to email systems.

How UK Charities Are Putting AI to Work

AI isn’t just for tech companies or massive global NGOs. Charities right here in the UK, big and small, are already seeing results from it. These aren’t plans or pilot schemes. They’re happening now, and they’re working.

Here are a few examples showing how charities use AI in ways that save time, raise more, and strengthen impact.

1. Prostate Cancer UK

The challenge: Increase fundraising returns during their year-end appeal.

The tool: AI-driven supporter analysis

What they did: They used AI to scan supporter data and spot which groups were most likely to respond to a Christmas campaign. Then, they targeted those people with customised messages and donation requests.

The result: They raised twice as much from the campaign compared to previous years.

Lesson learned: When you match the right message to the right supporter, you don’t need to work harder; you get better results.

2. Parkinson’s UK

The challenge: Stay responsive to changing needs during high-pressure times.

The tool: AI sentiment analysis

What they did: They used AI to scan online conversations, helpline transcripts, and feedback to understand what people were struggling with in real time.

The result: Their team was able to adjust support services quickly, based on what people needed, not just what they assumed.

Lesson learned: AI can help you listen at scale, not just hear more voices, but understand them better.

3. Local Community Groups

The challenge: Apply for funding with a limited time and no dedicated bid writer.

The tool: AI for grant research and proposal drafting

What they did: Smaller charities started using AI tools to scan grant databases, filter by eligibility, and generate draft applications.

The result: One community centre in Manchester reported saving 10+ hours a week on bid writing and secured two new grants in six months, something they hadn’t managed in the previous year.

Lesson learned: You don’t need a fundraising team to write strong bids; you need good tools and defined goals.

4. Food Relief Charity

The challenge: Too much admin, not enough time to focus on service delivery.

The tool: AI for admin and project planning

What they did: A small food charity in London started using AI to generate meeting notes, automate emails, and track project tasks.

The result: Team members reported saving 3–5 hours a week, giving them more time to focus on logistics and volunteer coordination.

Lesson learned: Even small wins with AI can quickly add up, especially for teams running on tight schedules.

5. Environmental Nonprofit

The challenge: Supporter drop-off and inconsistent donor engagement.

The tool: AI-powered donor segmentation and communication

What they did: They used AI to group donors by giving behaviour, then sent automated, personalised messages based on interest.

The result: Over six months, they saw a 17% increase in donor retention and a steady rise in monthly giving.

Lesson learned: Personalisation doesn’t have to be manual. AI can handle the details and keep donors connected.

6. What These Charities Have in Common

They didn’t start with big budgets or in-house tech teams.

What they did have was:

A defined need
A commitment to test AI tools
A focus on outcomes, not hype

And most of them started small, one use case, one tool and one process at a time.

Thinking about trying AI in your own charity?

Start where the pain is loudest, whether that’s grant writing, supporter engagement, or impact tracking. That’s where you’ll see results fastest.

Effective Steps for Charities to Start with AI

You don’t need a tech team, a big budget, or a perfect plan to start using AI.

What you do need is a strong reason, a bit of time to try it out, and a commitment to learn as you go. If you’re a charity wondering where to start with AI, here’s how to move forward, no stress, no fluff.

Step 1: Know What You Need

Before you touch any tools, take a step back. Ask:

Where are we stretched too thin?
What tasks take up too much of our team’s time?
What would help us fundraise better or serve people faster?

Don’t just chase trends, start with pain points.

Here are some examples:

If your staff spend hours writing reports, try AI to create draft documents.
If fundraising is flatlining, explore predictive analytics or personalised emails.
If donor comms feel generic, use AI to segment and customise messages.

Not sure what your charity’s AI readiness looks like?

The Charity Digital Skills Report offers a solid starting point to benchmark yourself.

Step 2: Start with Free and Low-Cost Tools

You don’t have to spend thousands to get value from AI.

Here are some cost-effective tools UK charities are already using:

Writing & Content Tools

ChatGPT (Free & Plus) – great for drafting emails, thank-you notes, blogs, funding proposals
Notion AI – turns messy notes into meeting summaries, project plans, and reports
Grammarly AI – sharpens your writing with AI suggestions

Fundraising & Comms

Dataro – predictive analytics for fundraising, donor insights (offers charity plans)
Mailerlite’s AI tools – help personalise email campaigns and subject lines
Canva AI – smart design suggestions for social, fundraising materials, or reports

Productivity & Planning

ClickUp – helps organise campaign workflows and projects
Google Docs + AI features – summarising, writing help, etc.
Microsoft Copilot – now built into many Office 365 packages used by charities

Not all of these need tech staff; many work out of the box or with basic training.

Step 3: Learn as a Team, Not Alone

AI works best when your team understands what it is and what it’s not.

You don’t need everyone to become data experts. But you do want people to be curious, cautious and confident.

Training Ideas:

Host a “What is AI?” lunch-and-learn using simple explainer videos
Sign up for a charity-specific AI webinar
Get staff to test one free tool each and share what they found
Book a low-cost workshop with a digital partner

Where to Start:

Charity Digital’s AI Learning Hub
TechSoup’s AI courses for nonprofits
SCVO’s 25 AI Questions for Charities

Tip: Make AI part of regular staff conversations, not a one-off.

Step 4: Build Helpful Tech Partnerships

You don’t need to go it alone.

Start finding people and platforms who can support your journey:

Local tech volunteers or students
Ethical AI consultants who know the charity space
Software providers with nonprofit discounts or pilots
Peer charities already using AI, ask what’s worked (or flopped)

Examples:

Jigsaw, CAST, Catalyst – organisations helping charities adopt digital tools
Giant Digital – works with UK charities to integrate AI into digital comms
Japeto – offers AI chatbots designed for the voluntary sector
Charity Excellence – provides free AI policy templates and frameworks

Look for people who understand the charitable sector, not just tech.

Not Sure Where to Begin?

If you feel stuck or overwhelmed, that’s normal.

The key is to pick one small problem and one tool, then just try it.

Start with something simple, like writing a thank-you email
Test an AI chatbot for FAQs
Use AI to summarise meeting notes and free up your team

Then build from there. Your charity’s needs will guide your next step.

Keeping AI Fair, Safe, and Transparent

AI can make your charity faster, smarter, and more efficient, but it also comes with risks if not handled properly. Especially in our sector, where trust is everything.

If you use tools that make decisions or process sensitive data, you have a responsibility to make sure those tools work fairly, safely, and in line with your values.

Here’s what that means in practice.

1. Protecting Your Supporters’ Data with AI

AI tools often rely on data, supporting information, service records, survey feedback, donation history, etc. If that data isn’t handled properly, you could put people at risk or break the law.

Here’s what to think about:

Who owns the data you’re putting into AI tools?
Where is that data stored? (Is it leaving the UK or EU?)
Is the tool GDPR-compliant?
Have you told your supporters how their data might be used?

Use trusted platforms and check their privacy policies.

Avoid putting any sensitive personal data into free or public AI tools without checking how that data is stored or used.

If in doubt, speak to your Data Protection Officer or check with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

2. How Bias Shows Up in AI

AI tools learn from existing data, and that data can carry old biases with it.

For example:

A grant application tool might favour writing styles that reflect privileged education
A chatbot might misunderstand or exclude marginalised communities
A donor analysis tool could assume certain demographics are “less valuable”

This isn’t a theory, it’s happening.

So what can you do?

Check whether the tool you’re using has bias controls or reviews
Regularly test how it handles different user inputs
Keep humans in the loop, don’t automate sensitive decisions like funding, eligibility, or support access
Be transparent with your team and users about what AI is doing (and where its limits are)

Bias in = Bias out. Make space for challenge, and keep reviewing what your AI is doing.

3. Why Every Charity Needs an AI Policy

It’s not about bureaucracy. It’s about being clear on how you use AI, what’s allowed, and what needs review.

Even a one-page document can help protect your charity, your team, and your users.

A basic AI policy should cover:

What tools your team is allowed to use
What types of data can (or can’t) be entered
When staff need to check outputs before publishing
Who’s responsible for monitoring AI use and staying updated
What happens if something goes wrong

You can use this to guide trustee discussions and governance checks.

Tip: Add an “AI use log” to keep track of how you use these tools across your teams.

4. Be Honest When AI Is Used

People deserve to know when they’re reading, hearing, or receiving something created by AI. Especially in charity communications.

This isn’t about scaring people off; it’s about trust.

Let donors know if an email was drafted using AI.
Be honest if your chatbot is powered by AI, and make it easy to reach a human.
If you use AI to draft reports, make sure a person signs them off and edits them carefully.

This builds confidence and shows that your charity is responsible and values its relationship with supporters and service users.

5. Watch Out for These AI Pitfalls

AI is exciting, but not every tool is safe or ethical.

Watch out for:

Free tools that don’t explain how they handle your data
Tools that give wildly confident answers with no sources
AI content that sounds generic, robotic, or impersonal
“Plug-and-play” solutions with no transparency or human oversight

If it feels too easy or too good to be true, it probably is.

The charity sector is built on trust, compassion, and community. AI should support those values, not replace them.

6. Make It a Culture, Not a Checklist

Responsible AI isn’t just about policies and permissions. It’s about the way your team works and the choices you make.

Start small:

Bring up AI ethics at staff meetings
Ask how a tool might affect your most vulnerable service users
Encourage feedback when something doesn’t feel right

This is how you stay safe, stay human, and stay ahead.

Want help reviewing your AI tools or creating AI policies?

Book your call with us to get started.

Getting Past the Usual AI Roadblocks

Most charities don’t have big tech budgets or digital teams. So, when people hear “AI,” they imagine expensive systems, jargon-filled dashboards, and hours of staff training they don’t have time for.

But that’s not the full picture.

Plenty of small to mid-sized UK charities are already using AI. The difference? They’ve started small, kept it practical, and made it work for their real-world situation.

Here’s how to deal with the most common blockers:

1. Budget and Resource Limitations

Most small charities don’t have the funds for new software, consultants, or a tech manager. But here’s the good news:

You don’t need to buy a big system or hire someone full-time.

Free or low-cost tools like ChatGPT, Canva AI, or Grammarly can help with tasks and work overload:

writing emails
planning fundraising campaigns
improving reports
segmenting donor comms

Platforms like TechSoup offer AI software at major discounts for UK nonprofits.

Lots of AI features are now baked into tools you already use, Google Docs, Office 365, and even Mailerlite.

Start with what you’ve got. One tool, one team, one job to improve.

2. Skills Gaps and Staff Training

You don’t need digital experts. You need curiosity and a bit of confidence.

Start by getting your team comfortable trying things out. AI isn’t magic; it’s just another tool to support their work.

Here’s what helps:

Quick how-to videos: No more than 5 minutes
Peer demos: One team member tries a tool, then shows the rest
AI “office hours”: Book a monthly lunchtime session for AI questions or tips

Looking for training made for charities?

Charity Digital offers free webinars
Catalyst has beginner guides
SCVO AI Guides are great for third sector teams in Scotland and beyond

Don’t wait for everyone to be “trained.” Let them learn by doing, with guardrails in place.

3. Getting Your Team On Board with AI

New tech can raise eyebrows. “Are we replacing jobs?” “Will it be too complicated?” “Why fix what’s already working?”

Here’s how to handle it:

Start with conversations, not announcements.

Show examples from other charities.
Share quick wins (“AI helped me write that report in half the time”).
Be clear, AI is here to support staff, not replace them.

Avoid forcing it across the whole team.

Start with one champion
Get one small success
Let the momentum build

The goal isn’t to get everyone on board immediately. It’s to show the actual value that gets people curious instead of defensive.

4. Where to Get Support for AI

AI funding isn’t always obvious, but support is out there.

Here’s where to look:

Grants + Pilots

Some funders now include digital or AI tools in their grant criteria (you just need to explain the “why”)

Support from Tech Partners

Organisations like CAST, Giant Digital, or Japeto offer hands-on help or co-design options
You can often get free discovery sessions or pilots before paying for anything

Pro tip: Frame your AI project around impact, e.g. “we want to reach more supporters without burning out our team,” not “we want to try a new tool.”

That’s what funders want to hear.

What’s Coming Next for AI in the Charitable Sector

AI isn’t slowing down. If anything, we’re just getting started.

Charities that take the time to understand what’s coming and how to respond wisely will be in a much better position to serve their communities, raise funds and stay trusted.

So, what’s ahead?

1. New AI Tech to Keep on Your Radar

You don’t need to become a futurist. But it does help to know what’s around the corner.

Here are the AI developments most likely to impact charities by the end of the decade:

Generative AI (beyond text)

It’s not just writing reports anymore. Tools like Sora, D-ID, and Synthesia are making it possible to:

Turn blog posts into short explainer videos
Create voiceovers without recording equipment
Auto-generate visual stories from data

Advanced Chatbots with Memory

We’re moving past basic FAQ bots. Next-gen AI chat tools will:

Hold proper conversations
Remember past interactions
Support users through multi-step processes (e.g. donation journeys, service access)

AI for Real-Time Listening

Charities like Parkinson’s UK are already doing this. Expect to see more tools that:

Analyse calls, social media, and surveys
Spot early signs of community needs or reputational issues
Suggest action, not just insights

Automated Impact Dashboards

Instead of building long reports, charities will plug AI into casework data, supporter journeys, or programme delivery to:

Show outcomes clearly
Highlight what’s working (or not)
Auto-generate funder reports

AI co-pilots for fundraising and service delivery

These aren’t just tools, they’re assistants. Think of them as team members who help with:

Campaign planning
Prospect research
Grant writing
Budget planning

And this is just what’s already in early use. More is coming, fast.

2. What AI Might Mean for Charities by 2030

Here’s what many experts are expecting, if current trends continue:

AI becomes invisible, most people will use it daily without realising it
Hyper-personalised giving journeys, donors get updates, asks, and thank-yous matched perfectly to them
Funders expect better data, AI will make it easier to track and show impact, but expectations will rise too
Greater digital inequality, charities without the time or support to adopt AI may fall behind
Bespoke AI systems, larger charities may build their own tools customised for their work
AI roles in charity teams, digital leads may soon have “AI ethics” or “data strategy” in their job titles

It’s not about becoming tech-driven. It’s about being mission-driven, with better tools.

3. Keeping Up with AI Without Overwhelm

You don’t need to chase every trend. However, you do want to stay informed and connected to people, figuring it out together.

Here’s how:

Follow the right people and platforms

Charity Digital – AI news, training, and examples
Zoe Amar Digital – Trends and leadership advice
Catalyst – Digital support and peer learning
SCVO AI Guide – Practical for Scottish charities (but helpful for all)

Join learning communities

Look for peer-led digital or AI meetups (many are free)
Connect with other charities using AI through Tech for Good groups
Use LinkedIn to find ethical AI consultants and funders who are actively exploring this space

Set up small internal learning loops

Monthly “AI Show and Tell” at team meetings
Share one useful tool, insight, or case study each month
Keep a shared doc of what’s working or what to avoid

AI won’t fix broken systems, bad data, or unclear goals.

But for charities willing to experiment, learn, and lead, it can free up time, unlock new insights, and help you reach more people with less stress.

How to Get Started with AI in Your Charity

AI can feel overwhelming when you’re new to it. But it doesn’t need to be. You don’t need a strategy doc, a digital lead, or a big budget to get started.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step way to introduce AI into your charity and start seeing results without overcomplicating it.

1. Take Small Steps

Step 1 – Identify the problem, not the tool

Don’t ask “Which AI should we try?”

Ask “What’s something that’s slowing us down or taking too much time?”

Example problems:

“We spend hours writing grant proposals.”
“Our reports take too long.”
“We struggle to respond to supporter emails on time.”
“Our team is overloaded with admin.”

Start there.

Step 2 – Pick one job or task to test AI with

Choose a task that’s:

Time-consuming
Low-risk
Repeated regularly

Easy wins:

Drafting emails with ChatGPT
Summarising meeting notes
Creating donor thank-you messages
Writing the funding proposal first drafts
Segmenting supporters based on giving history

Step 3 – Choose one tool that fits your task

Don’t spend days comparing options. Just pick a tool that’s:

Easy to access
Has a free version
Doesn’t require a tech expert

Examples:

ChatGPT (writing + admin)
Canva Magic Write (design + content)
Jasper (marketing)
Mailerlite’s AI tools (donor segmentation + emails)
Grammarly (polishing proposals + writing)

Step 4 – Involve your team early

Explain the “why.” Show them what the tool does.

Let one or two team members try it out, then have them share their feedback with the group.

Keep it practical and make sure no one feels like they’re being replaced.

Step 5 – Track what’s working

Create a basic log:

What you used
What it saved (e.g. “30 mins writing time”)
How accurate/useful it was
Anything that felt off or confusing

It doesn’t need to be fancy, but it will help you prove the value and improve over time.

2. Choose the Right AI Tools

Choose tools that solve your problem, not just what’s trending.
Check privacy settings, especially for free tools.
Avoid anything that doesn’t explain where your data goes.
If it’s creating content, always review before sending or publishing.
Ask around, other charities are already testing tools and are happy to share what’s working.

Tip: Check if your existing platforms (CRM, email system, report builder) already have AI features built-in.

3. Measure AI Results

You don’t need KPIs and dashboards to show that AI is helping.

Just answer these 3 simple questions:

Did it save us time or effort?
Did it help us improve something (comms, planning, fundraising)?
Would we use it again, or recommend it?

If the answer is yes to at least two of those, it’s probably worth keeping or testing further.

For more details:

Log time saved per task
Track supporter or donor engagement before and after using AI
Review accuracy or benefit scores from your team

You can also build this into your regular reviews or team catch-ups.

4. Keep These AI Tips in Mind

Always review AI outputs before publishing
Create a basic AI usage policy
Keep a shared log of tools being used across the charity
Be honest with your audience, tell them if the content was drafted by AI
Keep the focus on your mission, AI should help you do more of what matters, not become a project in itself

My Final Thoughts

AI isn’t a trend, it’s technology. And right now, it’s one of the most powerful technologies UK charities have to save time, stretch resources, and serve more people, without adding more stress.

But with that opportunity comes responsibility.

If we’re going to use AI to support communities, raise funds, and deliver services, we must use it well. That means:

Being honest about what it can and can’t do
Protecting the people we serve
Keeping the human connection at the heart of everything we do

You don’t have to become a tech expert. You don’t need a digital team. You need to stay curious, stay clear on your mission, and take small, confident steps forward.

Plenty of charities are already doing it. You can too.

Ready to get started with AI the right way?

We help charities understand what’s possible, pick the right tools, and build responsible, practical AI strategies.

Book your free consultation with Evolve Catalyst and let’s explore what AI could do for your charity.