S AI
Your donors can smell a robot from a mile away.
That’s the fear, right? You’re curious about AI. You’ve heard it can save hours. Maybe you’ve even played with ChatGPT a few times.
But then this thought creeps in: “What if we lose the human connection that makes our nonprofit… us?”
Here’s what I’ve learned working with nonprofit leaders across Colorado: the organizations that implement AI well don’t lose their humanity. They amplify it.
The ones who fail? They treat AI like a replacement instead of a tool.
This guide answers the top 10 questions Colorado nonprofits ask about implementing AI. And I’m not giving you theory. I’m giving you the exact prompts you can copy, paste, and use today.
Let’s get into it.
Question 1: “Where Do We Even Start With AI?”
This is the question that keeps Executive Directors frozen. There are a thousand AI tools. A million possible uses. It feels like standing at the base of a mountain with no map.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need a map. You need one small win.
Start with your biggest time vampire.
What task eats up hours every week that doesn’t require deep human judgment? For most nonprofits, it’s one of these:
- Writing first drafts of emails, newsletters, or reports
- Summarizing meeting notes
- Researching grant opportunities
- Creating social media content
- Answering repetitive questions
Pick ONE. Just one. Get good at using AI for that single task. Then expand.
The Prompt You Can Steal:
I'm the Executive Director of a [type of nonprofit] in Colorado. We serve [who you serve].
Our biggest time drain is [your time vampire]. We spend approximately [X hours] per week on this.
Help me identify 3 specific ways AI could reduce this time by at least 50%, while maintaining the personal touch our community expects from us.
For each suggestion, explain:
1. What AI would handle
2. What humans would still do
3. How we'd ensure quality and authenticity
This prompt forces the AI to think about human connection from the start. Not as an afterthought.
Question 2: “How Do We Maintain Human Connection When Using AI?”
This is the real question underneath all the others. And it deserves a real answer.
Human connection isn’t about who typed the words. It’s about who cares.
When your Development Director spends 4 hours writing a donor thank-you letter, is that connection? Or is it exhaustion that leads to a rushed, generic note?
When AI drafts that letter in 2 minutes, and your Development Director spends 20 minutes personalizing it with specific memories of that donor’s involvement… THAT’S connection.
AI doesn’t replace the human. It replaces the blank page.
The Framework: 80/20 AI Implementation
For any communication that matters, use this rule:
- AI creates 80% (the structure, the first draft, the research)
- Humans add 20% (the personal details, the emotional truth, the final voice)
That 20% is where the magic lives. And now your team actually has time to do it well.
The Prompt You Can Steal:
Write a thank-you letter to a donor named [Name] who gave [amount] to support [program/campaign].
Include:
- Specific impact of their gift (use this data: [insert impact numbers])
- Reference to their history with our organization: [what you know about them]
- Our Executive Director's authentic voice (warm, mission-driven, not corporate)
Leave [BRACKETS] around any sections where I should add personal details or memories. These are the human touch points I'll fill in myself.
Keep it under 300 words. Make it feel like a real person wrote it, not a robot.
See what’s happening here? You’re telling the AI exactly where the human needs to show up.
Question 3: “Will AI Make Us Sound Generic?”
Only if you let it.
Default AI output sounds like… AI. It’s correct, professional, and completely forgettable. It reads like a press release from 1997.
But here’s the thing: AI is a mirror. It reflects what you give it.
Generic input = generic output. Specific input = specific output.
The Secret: Feed It Your Voice
Before you ask AI to write anything important, give it examples of YOUR writing. Your newsletter. Your founder’s speeches. Your most successful fundraising emails.
The Prompt You Can Steal:
I'm going to share 3 examples of our nonprofit's best writing. These represent our authentic voice and tone.
[Paste Example 1]
[Paste Example 2]
[Paste Example 3]
Analyze these examples and identify:
1. The tone (formal, casual, urgent, hopeful, etc.)
2. Common phrases or words we use
3. How we talk about our mission
4. How we address our community
5. What makes our voice distinctive
Then, write a [type of content] about [topic] that matches this voice exactly.
If you're unsure about our voice in any section, flag it with [CHECK VOICE] so I can review.
This prompt turns AI from a generic writer into YOUR writer.
Question 4: “What About the Colorado AI Law? Are We Compliant?”
Real talk: most Colorado nonprofits using AI for content creation are NOT in the danger zone of the Colorado AI Act.
The law (SB24-205, effective June 30, 2026) targets “high-risk AI systems” that make “consequential decisions” about people. Things like:
- Hiring and employment decisions
- Program eligibility screening
- Housing placements
- Healthcare recommendations
Using ChatGPT to draft your newsletter? Not covered.
Using AI to screen job applicants or determine who qualifies for your services? Potentially covered.
The Prompt You Can Steal:
I'm an Executive Director at a Colorado nonprofit. We currently use AI for:
[List every AI tool and how you use it]
Based on the Colorado AI Act (SB24-205), help me categorize each use:
1. LOW RISK: Content creation, research, internal productivity (not covered by law)
2. MEDIUM RISK: May involve "consequential decisions" - needs review
3. HIGH RISK: Clearly involves consequential decisions about employment, services, housing, healthcare, etc. (covered by law)
For any Medium or High risk items, explain what compliance steps we'd need to take.
This gives you a quick triage. But for anything flagged Medium or High, get professional legal guidance.
Question 5: “How Do We Get Staff Buy-In?”
Your team is scared. Let’s just name that.
They’re scared AI will make their jobs disappear. They’re scared of looking stupid while learning new technology. They’re scared that the thing that makes them valuable (their expertise, their relationships, their institutional knowledge) is about to become worthless.
None of those fears are crazy. They deserve acknowledgment.
The Buy-In Formula:
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Start with safety: “AI is not here to replace you. It’s here to handle the parts of your job that drain you.”
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Lead with their pain: “What task do you dread every week? Let’s see if AI can take that off your plate.”
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Make it voluntary first: Let early adopters experiment. Let skeptics watch. Results convert people faster than mandates.
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Celebrate time saved, not money saved: Frame AI as giving staff their time back, not as a cost-cutting measure.
The Prompt You Can Steal:
I'm preparing to introduce AI tools to my nonprofit team. Some staff members are enthusiastic. Others are nervous about job security and change.
Help me create a 10-minute presentation that:
1. Acknowledges their concerns honestly (don't dismiss fears)
2. Explains what AI will and won't do in our organization
3. Emphasizes that AI handles tedious tasks so they can focus on meaningful work
4. Gives 3 specific examples of how AI could help THEIR daily experience
5. Invites voluntary participation, not mandated adoption
6. Ends with a clear, low-pressure next step
Our team includes: [list roles]
Our biggest organizational time drains are: [list them]
Tone should be warm, honest, and non-corporate. We're a team, not a company.
Question 6: “What AI Tools Should We Actually Use?”
I’m not going to give you a list of 47 tools. That’s paralyzing.
Here’s what 90% of nonprofits need:
One conversational AI for writing and thinking: ChatGPT (free or Plus), Claude, or Microsoft Copilot. Pick one. Get good at it.
Your existing tools with AI features turned on: Microsoft 365 Copilot, Google Workspace AI, Canva’s AI features. You’re probably already paying for AI you’re not using.
One specialized tool for your biggest need: If you send lots of emails, look at AI email tools. If you create lots of graphics, lean into Canva AI. Don’t collect tools. Solve problems.
The Prompt You Can Steal:
I'm the Executive Director of a [size] nonprofit in Colorado. We serve [mission]. Our team is [X] people.
Our current tech stack:
[List your software: email, CRM, design tools, etc.]
Our biggest operational challenges:
1. [Challenge 1]
2. [Challenge 2]
3. [Challenge 3]
Based on this, recommend:
1. Which AI features in our EXISTING tools we should activate first (don't add new tools yet)
2. ONE new AI tool that would have the highest impact for our specific challenges
3. What we should specifically NOT invest in right now (what's overhyped for our situation)
Keep recommendations practical for a resource-limited nonprofit. We don't have an IT department.
Question 7: “How Do We Use AI for Fundraising Without Losing Authenticity?”
This is where the human connection question gets sharp.
Donors don’t give to organizations. They give to people they trust. They give to stories that move them. They give because they feel seen and valued.
AI cannot create that feeling from scratch. But it can help you deliver it at scale.
The Key Distinction:
- AI can research donor histories so you know what matters to them
- AI can draft personalized communications based on that research
- AI can help you find the right words for complex situations
- AI can ensure no donor falls through the cracks
Humans still:
- Make the phone calls
- Write the handwritten notes
- Remember the personal details
- Show up at the events
- Feel genuine gratitude
The Prompt You Can Steal (Donor Research):
I'm preparing for a meeting with a major donor prospect. Here's what I know about them:
Name: [Name]
Business/Background: [What you know]
Previous giving to us: [History]
Other philanthropic interests: [If known]
Connection to our mission: [Why they might care]
Help me prepare for this meeting by:
1. Suggesting 3 conversation topics that connect their interests to our work
2. Identifying potential concerns or objections they might have
3. Recommending 2 specific programs or initiatives that align with their apparent values
4. Drafting 3 thoughtful questions I could ask to deepen the relationship
This is a relationship, not a transaction. Help me show up as a genuine human who cares about their interests, not just their wallet.
The Prompt You Can Steal (Appeal Letter):
Write a year-end fundraising appeal for [Organization Name].
Our mission: [Mission statement]
This year's key impact: [2-3 major accomplishments with numbers]
Emotional story to feature: [Brief description of a beneficiary story - change names for privacy]
The letter should:
- Open with the human story, not statistics
- Connect the reader to the impact of their potential gift
- Be specific about what different gift levels accomplish
- Sound like [Executive Director's Name], who is [describe their voice: warm, direct, passionate, etc.]
- End with urgency but not desperation
Length: 500 words max
Reading level: 8th grade
Tone: Hopeful and confident, not guilt-inducing
Mark any sections where I should add personal details with [ADD PERSONAL TOUCH HERE].
Question 8: “Can AI Help With Grant Writing?”
Yes. But probably not how you think.
AI is not going to write your grant for you. Funders can spot AI-generated grants. They read thousands of applications. They know the patterns. And nothing says “we don’t really care about this opportunity” like a generic, AI-generated proposal.
But AI can absolutely help you:
- Research potential funders and their priorities
- Organize your thinking before you write
- Draft sections you’ll heavily revise
- Edit for clarity and compliance with requirements
- Repurpose content from one grant to another
The Prompt You Can Steal (Grant Research):
I'm looking for grant opportunities for a Colorado nonprofit focused on [your mission].
Our annual budget is approximately $[amount].
We serve [geographic area] and [population].
Our key programs include: [list programs]
Help me identify:
1. Types of foundations most likely to fund work like ours
2. Specific search terms I should use in grant databases
3. Colorado-specific funders I should research
4. Red flags that indicate a funder is NOT a good fit for us
5. Questions I should answer before applying to any grant
Don't make up specific foundation names unless you're certain they exist and are currently funding.
The Prompt You Can Steal (Grant Section Drafting):
Help me draft the [specific section] of a grant proposal.
Grant requirements for this section: [paste the funder's instructions]
Our organization: [brief description]
The program we're proposing: [description]
Key data points to include: [your impact data]
What makes our approach unique: [your differentiator]
Write a first draft that:
- Directly answers what the funder is asking
- Uses specific numbers and outcomes, not vague claims
- Stays within [word/character limit]
- Sounds confident but not arrogant
After the draft, tell me:
1. What's missing that I need to add
2. What claims need more evidence
3. Where I should add specific stories or examples
Question 9: “How Do We Talk to Our Board About AI?”
Board members fall into three camps:
The Enthusiasts: “Why aren’t we using AI for EVERYTHING?”
The Skeptics: “This seems risky. What about [insert scary headline]?”
The Confused: “I don’t really understand what this is.”
You need to speak to all three in the same conversation.
The Framework:
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Start with mission, not technology. “We’re exploring how to serve more people without burning out our team.”
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Acknowledge real risks. “There are legitimate concerns about privacy, accuracy, and the new Colorado AI law. Here’s how we’re addressing each one.”
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Show small wins. “We piloted AI for [specific task] and saved [X hours] last month while maintaining quality.”
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Ask for input, not just approval. “What questions do you have? What concerns should we prioritize?”
The Prompt You Can Steal:
I need to present an AI update to my nonprofit Board of Directors. The board includes:
- Tech-savvy members who might push us to do more
- Risk-conscious members worried about liability and reputation
- Members who don't really understand AI
Create a 5-minute presentation outline that:
1. Connects AI adoption to our mission (not just efficiency)
2. Summarizes what we've already tried and learned
3. Addresses the top 3 concerns boards typically have (be specific)
4. References Colorado AI Act compliance in plain language
5. Proposes clear next steps with defined success metrics
6. Invites questions without being defensive
Include suggested talking points for potential tough questions.
Our organization: [describe]
AI uses so far: [what you've done]
Planned next steps: [what you want to do]
Question 10: “What Should We Absolutely NOT Use AI For?”
This might be the most important question of all.
AI is a power tool. Power tools are amazing. Power tools also cut off fingers when used carelessly.
Never Use AI For:
Final decisions about people. AI can inform decisions. It should never make them. Hiring, firing, program eligibility, client services… these require human judgment. Always.
Anything you wouldn’t want on the front page. If your prompt or the AI’s response would embarrass you in the Colorado Sun, don’t do it.
Replacing genuine relationships. AI can help you prepare for a donor meeting. It cannot replace showing up, making eye contact, and being present.
Confidential information without safeguards. Before putting client names, health information, or sensitive data into any AI tool, understand where that data goes and who can access it.
Legal, medical, or financial advice. AI can summarize information. It cannot provide professional advice. Always verify with qualified professionals.
Content you won’t review. If you’re not going to read it, edit it, and own it… don’t publish it. AI makes mistakes. Some of them are subtle. Some are embarrassing. Some are legally problematic. A human must always be the final check.
The Prompt You Can Steal (Creating Your Own Guidelines):
Help me create an "AI Acceptable Use Policy" for my nonprofit.
Our organization: [describe]
Staff size: [number]
Types of data we handle: [client info, donor info, health data, etc.]
Our values around technology: [describe]
Create a simple, one-page policy that covers:
1. What AI CAN be used for (with examples)
2. What AI should NEVER be used for (with examples)
3. Required human review steps before publishing anything AI-generated
4. Data privacy rules (what can/can't be entered into AI tools)
5. Who to ask if someone is unsure
Write it in plain language. No legalese. This needs to be something every staff member actually reads and follows.
Include a simple decision tree: "Should I use AI for this?" with 3-4 yes/no questions.
The Real Question Underneath All of These
Every question in this guide circles back to one fear:
“If we use AI, will we still be US?”
The answer depends entirely on how you use it.
AI adopted thoughtlessly will make you sound like everyone else. It will distance you from your community. It will trade authenticity for efficiency.
AI adopted intentionally will give you back the time you need to be more human, not less. It will let your team focus on relationships instead of repetitive tasks. It will help you show up for your community in ways you couldn’t before.
The technology is neutral. The intention is everything.
Your Next Step
Don’t try to implement everything at once. That’s how nonprofits burn out on AI before they get any benefit.
Pick ONE prompt from this guide. The one that addresses your biggest pain point right now.
Use it this week.
See what happens.
Then come back and try another.
That’s how sustainable AI adoption works. Not with a massive initiative. With one small experiment at a time.
You’ve got this.
And your humanity? It’s not going anywhere.
This guide was created for Colorado nonprofit leaders who want to implement AI without losing what makes their organizations special. For hands-on support with AI implementation, contact ETS AI Consulting.
Quick Reference: All 10 Prompts
- Finding Your Starting Point – Identify where AI saves time while maintaining human touch
- Maintaining Human Connection – 80/20 framework with [BRACKETS] for personal touches
- Capturing Your Voice – Feed AI your best writing to clone your authentic tone
- Colorado AI Law Triage – Categorize your AI uses by risk level
- Staff Buy-In Presentation – Address fears while inviting voluntary participation
- Tool Selection – Assess your existing tech before adding new tools
- Donor Research – Prepare for meetings with relationship-first focus
- Grant Research and Drafting – Support (not replace) your grant writing process
- Board Presentation – Speak to enthusiasts, skeptics, and confused members simultaneously
- Acceptable Use Policy – Create guardrails that protect your values