Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a pivotal tool within non-profit organizations (NPOs), particularly as they grapple with staffing shortages. The growing trend signifies the potential for neural networks to alleviate some of the burdens faced by these entities, addressing tasks ranging from project analytics to enhancing grant application processes.
One standout example is the project "Antistatika," founded by Alexey Matorin, which works with vulnerable children, including those from orphanages and low-income families. Matorin highlights how AI serves as an assistant to his team, enabling enhanced monitoring of the emotional and physical well-being of their wards. "We track not only sporting achievements but also the overall happiness of the child during training, changes within their family dynamics, and whether they share successes with their parents," explains Matorin.
Previously, the team relied heavily on manual processes for data collection and analysis, performing interviews and utilizing questionnaires. Today, much of this work is facilitated by AI. Matorin revealed, "We prompt tools like ChatGPT to compare large interviews and extract common changes, categorizing these alterations based on shifts in thinking, behavior, and life circumstances. AI can analyze this data within moments—an endeavor human staff may stretch across weeks due to prioritizing urgent tasks. This efficiency enables us to focus on what's truly important," he adds.
At another NPO, the "Culture of Philanthropy," artificial intelligence has integrated seamlessly over the past year, according to director Yulia Khodorova. The organization employs AI primarily for analyzing substantial amounts of textual information. This includes tasks like synthesizing interviews, summarizing large studies, and generating draft ideas for applications.
"AI has become part of our team, enabling us to tackle routine tasks more effectively," Khodorova states. "While AI isn't replacing anyone, it functions like the lower-hierarchy staff member. We still depend on human intellect to confirm and enrich the output produced by AI." This collaboration allows employees to engage more meaningfully with their work rather than getting lost in repetitive analytics, contributing positively to their work environment.
This shift is not just about increasing productivity; it's impacting strategic outreach as well. A noteworthy application of AI emerged with the launch of the "Excellent Neighbors" contest, spearheaded by the NPO "Good City of St. Petersburg" alongside "Good Stories." The initiative encourages individuals and NPOs with minimal competition experience to engage more fully by eliminating barriers to entry.
For this purpose, the team developed a Telegram bot powered by AI technology. This bot assists users in crafting grant proposals without any fee or registration requirements. Not only does the bot clarify technical application details, but it also guides users through the intricacies of framing proposals—the core components of social project design.
"Our bot stands as a prime example of how technology aids individuals. It fosters clarity and accessibility, especially for novices embarking on social initiatives. It doesn’t attempt to replace our staff but acts as dependable support, ensuring they feel secure during the application process," explains project leader Anna Smirnova.
During its operational window from August 14, 2024, to February 26, 2025, the bot facilitated 1,177 dialogues and sent over 25,398 messages. It correlated with three competitive rounds seeing 680 applications submitted and 947 drafts generated, snowballing the conversion rate to 71.8%. Smirnova emphasizes the time savings. "If it would ordinarily take around ten minutes to respond to each query, using the bot has saved us approximately 196 hours,” she highlights.
The “Butterfly Children” fund is also tapping AI's potential through platforms like GIVR. This organization is focused on key aspects such as forecasting medical supply needs and predicting disease progression through comprehensive data analysis. Director Alena Kuratova noted, "Our platform not only enables us to foresee donor drop-off but actively engages them, increasing their potential contributions. It fortifies links through automated communications, enhancing donor relationships. We’ve minimized technical disruptions significantly too, which saves us substantial costs during payment processing."
Clearly, organizations are beginning to realize the transformative potential of AI. Whether through analytical assistance or enhancing communication, these solutions stand ready to redefine what can be expected from NPOs amid growing demands. The integration of AI doesn’t merely automate traditional processes; it redefines them, allowing for spaces filled with human creativity and intellect to grow as we embrace the future of philanthropy. The continued evolution of these technologies promises not just efficiency but also new avenues to engage under-resourced communities and empower individuals through support.