Donor retention: 19.4% and dropping (AI users: 35% growth)

With so much uncertainty, I wanted to find a way to add value to you, non-profit leaders. I figured I'd create these Weekly Emails I call Monday Motivational Minute because Mondays are historically the roughest days, and a minute . . . well because you're very busy people. In these, I'll add creative, quick, actionable takeaways for you to try (All in a minute read). No pressure, no need to respond, read at your leisure or unsubscribe if it doesn't add value.(Challenge Accepted ☺️)

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Happy Almost Friday Mates! 

Let's jump right in! 

SOMETIMES THE DATA on nonprofits and AI has to do all the talking, so I'm stepping aside from my regularly scheduled program to just spew facts at you. No fluff, no metaphors, just cold hard numbers with fact-checked resources: 

The Impact and Divide of AI Adoption in Nonprofits
• Nonprofits using AI report 78% improved operational efficiency and 30% increased donor engagement (Source: ZipDo, nptechforgood.com)
• A dangerous digital divide exists: large nonprofits (>$1M budgets) adopt AI at nearly twice the rate (66% vs 34%) of smaller organizations (Source: NonprofitPro, nptechforgood.com) 

Colorado Leads on AI
• Colorado leads the nation with a 7.4% AI adoption rate among firms, ranking first alongside Washington DC (Source: StateTechMagazine, Brookings.edu)
Training, Trust, and Readiness
• 92% of nonprofits feel unprepared for AI, despite widespread interest (Source: nptechforgood.com, Bloomerang)
• 85.6% are exploring AI tools (indicating recognition of necessity) (Source: NonprofitPro)
• Yet 60% express mistrust in AI systems (Source: nptechforgood.com)
• 40% report that no one in their organization is educated in AI (Source: nptechforgood.com) 

Donor Engagement Outcomes
• Early AI adopters report donor retention increases up to 35% (Source: Dataro, Bloomerang)
• New donor retention (baseline): 19.4% (declining for fifth consecutive year) (Source: Bloomerang, NonprofitPro)
• Reactivated donor retention: 40.4% vs 27.9% for new donors (Source: Dataro, Bloomerang)
.........
I'm going off script here, but I was overwhelmingly surprised at all the data screaming louder than you seeing a spider land on your lap; saying that you should be leveraging AI YESTERDAY. (I lied. I used a metaphor. I couldn't help myself 🫣)And this is just a small glimpse of the data I've compiled. Please let me know if you'd want a copy of all the facts I gathered.

Actionable Task:  This one's easy— 

If you don't know where to start with AI, don't know how to fully leverage it, or don't know how to get your team or board on board (board squared 🤣), just reply to this email and say "I'd love to chat." 

That's it. No pressure. No judgement. Just a conversation to understand how AI is truly capable of helping you and your team.

Remember: The families you serve don't need you to work harder. They need you to work longer; as in, they need you NOT to burn out. Sometimes the most mission-driven thing you can do is accept help.

Regis Arzu  (he/him/his)
[email protected]
ETS AI Consulting | CEO
347.748.5078

P.S. Know another ED holding it all together with grit and grace? Forward this their way. We’re not meant to lead alone, and together, we go farther.

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