Session Abstract

Using AI Agents to Transform Nonprofit Donor Recruitment Introduction: AI is Here—What Does It Mean for Nonprofits? AI-powered agents have revolutionized the for-profit world, driving efficiency in sales, field service, and customer engagement, all with measurable ROI. But what about nonprofits? We don’t sell widgets—we create impact. We change lives. So, what’s the ROI of AI for a nonprofit? The answer isn’t immediate financial gain. It’s about long-term sustainability—getting the right information to the right people at the right time and making it effortless for them to engage when they feel inspired. The New Reality of Information Discovery Gone are the days when Google was the sole gateway to information. People now turn to AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and others to answer questions that once required search engines. For nonprofits, this shift presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Every piece of public data about your organization is now fair game for AI models, but how they present your information is beyond your control. If someone asks ChatGPT, “Should I donate to this nonprofit?”, what answer will they get? Taking Control of the Narrative with AI Agents While we can’t control how external AI models represent our organizations, we can guide how people engage with us. Imagine a Donor Engagement Agentic Experience—an AI-powered agent that: ✅ Knows everything about your nonprofit ✅ Communicates in your branding, voice, and tone ✅ Understands your impact model and financials ✅ Seamlessly connects potential donors to real people Rather than relying on a generic AI response, this agent becomes a direct extension of your workforce, nurturing relationships at scale.

Note to event organizers

I have written this narratie to be demoed on both Microsoft Copilot Agents and Salesfroce Agent force. Depending on relevance I can present either abstract.

Peter Schweiss

Pete Schweiss is the Director of Technology Services at Hope Ignites, where he drives the organization’s technology strategy across the United States, Mexico and Guatemala. With a career dedicated to supporting the nonprofit community in St. Louis, Pete is committed to delivering the best solutions through a forward-thinking, efficiency-focused approach that ensures seamless operations. His expertise in building and sustaining strategic partnerships enables him to secure high-quality, cost-effective products and services for the organization. Pete plays a vital role in fostering the strategic growth of Hope Ignites. Now more than ever technology plays a critical role in the future of Hope Ignites, as they work to triple their impact by 2035. Pete’s vision as a technology leader is to deliver a user experience that is efficient for team members across the network, allowing them to remain mission focused and continue to foster growth within the organization.

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