Artificial intelligence is reshaping the landscape of independent school fundraising. According to a recent Blackbaud Institute survey of 559 fundraisers, AI adoption is already widespread, with 82% of organizations incorporating AI tools into their operations in some capacity. The most common applications include drafting communications content (59%), creating social media posts (40%), and utilizing virtual assistants for tasks like note-taking (31%). Perhaps most significantly for development professionals, nearly a quarter of organizations are leveraging AI for donor prospecting, with larger institutions leading this trend.
More than half of surveyed professionals (56%) believe AI will drive organizational efficiency, while 45% anticipate it will fundamentally change donor engagement strategies. Nearly half (49%) predict AI will eventually permeate every aspect of their organization’s operations. However, this optimism is tempered by a critical gap: only 26% of respondents feel their organization possesses the technical expertise necessary to effectively implement AI solutions.
According to the spring 2025 SAIS pulse survey of advancement professionals, there are significant opportunities to leverage AI to address critical fundraising challenges.
Data-driven donor engagement emerges as a high priority area where artificial intelligence can transform fundraising effectiveness. AI-powered predictive analytics can analyze donor patterns to predict giving likelihood, optimal ask amounts, and timing, while machine-learning algorithms automatically segment donors based on behavior, capacity, and interests.
Alumni engagement represents the greatest opportunity for AI implementation, with survey respondents identifying it as the most underutilized strategy with significant growth potential. AI solutions include personalized outreach with individualized messages based on alumni interests, giving history, and engagement preferences.
Given AI’s impact potential in alumni engagement and communication personalization, schools are encouraged to implement these technologies gradually, allowing for proper staff training and a smooth adoption. Most importantly, institutions should track improvements in donor engagement and fundraising outcomes to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of their AI investments.
What are the essential considerations for successful AI integration? Is your development office prepared for AI adoption? How do your donors perceive AI use? We’ve collected resources to help you make informed decisions about incorporating AI tools at your school while maintaining authentic, personal connections that are fundamental to successful independent school fundraising.
Building on the foundational understanding of AI readiness, now we ask the practical question: “How do we actually implement AI effectively in our daily work?”
The advancement department depends on authentic relationships, institutional storytelling, and personalized stewardship. How might AI serve as a powerful amplifier for these core competencies, handling routine tasks, generating initial content drafts, and providing data insights that free advancement professionals to focus on high-value relationship building? When should AI enhance the human touch and when does human expertise take the lead?
Start small with manageable tools that can fit into your existing processes. Find AI solutions to address daily tasks while maintaining human-centered approaches in sensitive areas. Utilize prompting strategies that will help you achieve high-quality results from AI tools, transforming them from one-time experiments into reliable workflow tools that enhance your team’s effectiveness and impact.
The Independent School Brand Summit is a premier gathering designed for brand strategists, marketing and communication professionals, fundraisers, and enrollment management leaders in independent schools. This event brings together experts and practitioners to explore the evolving landscape of school branding, storytelling, and strategic positioning in an increasingly competitive market.
