As a self-proclaimed “philanthropy futurist” with over 15 years of experience building technology for the nonprofit sector, I’ve seen the daily hurdles fundraising teams face. Connecting with donors, reaching ambitious goals, and fulfilling vital missions is never easy. This is exactly what fuels my passion for merging cutting-edge technology with the heart of philanthropy—to empower organizations to achieve greater impact.

Fundraising has always been about people, compassion, and the stories that move us to act. For too long, though, we’ve navigated this journey with limited visibility—relying on intuition and broad outreach. These elements are invaluable, but imagine what’s possible when we pair them with precise data and the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI).

We’re entering an era where connections are guided by intelligence—where prospect researchers and fundraisers are equipped with deep insights that illuminate the path to meaningful engagement.

A Miraculous Shift in Understanding
This new era isn’t just a technological shift—it’s a miraculous leap in how we understand and engage with donor potential.

For nearly three decades, “wealth screening” has been the go-to tool for identifying best-fit donors. Black-box giving scores and real estate ownership data helped answer the age-old question: “Who has the capacity to give?” It worked, to a degree. But today, the landscape has changed.

We now have access to the richest tapestry of publicly available data in history: lifestyle, skills, interests, career trajectories, social presence and engagement, plus a broad array of real-time wealth and philanthropic signals. By weaving these threads together, we can craft a more complete, human portrait of each potential donor. Imagine condensing 10 days of painstaking research into 10 minutes. That’s a miracle!

But this isn’t about reducing people to data points. It’s about understanding their narratives, their motivations—their “why.” Our questions can now evolve beyond “Who has the capacity to give?” to something far more strategic: “Who’s the right donor, for the right amount, supporting the right program, at precisely the right time?” We’ve always wanted these answers. Now, with AI, we’re getting them—immediately. Another miracle!

The Power of AI in Philanthropy
AI allows us to discern patterns and affinities that might elude even the most seasoned fundraiser. The latest algorithms and large language models (LLMs) available to nonprofits today can detect and surface, in milliseconds, the critical insights needed for effective cultivation—insights that would otherwise take a team of prospect researchers days or weeks to uncover.

Imagine identifying “affluent-social-media-influencers-who-golf-and-have-given-$1-million-plus-to-similar-organizations” in seconds from your database. That’s the power of AI. It helps us find those whose values align with our missions—even if they’ve never engaged with us before. Imagine recognizing a potential donor’s passion for education not just through their giving history, but through their skills, interests, professional endeavors, and social interactions.

This depth of understanding enables us to approach each individual with authenticity and relevance. If adopted properly, it can turn our prospect researchers into the rock stars they truly are. Instead of spending hours on multiple wealth screening tools, social media platforms, and Google, prospect researchers can now leverage AI to swiftly create ask-ready donor dossiers that scream with accuracy and relevance.

At Hatch, we’re obsessed with making this level of insight accessible. Since launching in 2022, we’ve pushed the boundaries of what’s possible—leveraging data enrichment and AI to deliver the industry’s most advanced scoring and insights. Our platform compiles over 100 public data points per donor—covering wealth, lifestyle, interests, career, and social influence—to create what I like to call a “complete human profile.” This isn’t just innovation for innovation’s sake; it’s driven by a mission to make the world more charitable, one meaningful connection at a time.

Transparency Builds Trust
In this data-driven approach, transparency is paramount. Donors deserve to know why they’re being approached and how their contributions make an impact. That’s why our AI tools at Hatch provide clear, understandable explanations for every insight. No black boxes—just honest, accessible information that empowers both fundraisers and donors.

Enhancing, Not Replacing, Human Connection
AI isn’t here to replace the human touch; it’s here to enhance it. By handling the heavy lifting of data gathering and analysis, AI frees fundraisers to do what they do best: build relationships, tell compelling stories, and inspire action.

I know some of you reading this may be skeptical. Can AI really identify, surface, and explain—in plain terms—why a person might be a good fit for your cause? Or how much to ask them for? Or what program or mission pillar will excite them most?

The answer is yes—if you have the right data. If your organization hasn’t been gathering basic donor contact information, the algorithms will struggle. But if you’ve done the fundamentals of collecting and managing your data, you’re in!

The Big Picture: Charitable Giving in 2024
To put this all in context, let’s look at the latest numbers from Giving USA: In 2024, total charitable giving in the United States reached approximately $557 billion — a new record, and a testament to the enduring generosity of Americans even in uncertain times. But with over 1.5 million nonprofits vying for those dollars, the competition for donor attention and support is fiercer than ever.

That’s why leveraging AI-driven prospect research isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s quickly becoming a necessity. The organizations that thrive in this new era will be those that combine the heart of philanthropy with the intelligence of technology.

Embracing the Future
As we stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation, it’s clear that the future of fundraising lies in embracing both. By thoughtfully and ethically integrating AI with the heart of philanthropy, we can deepen our connections with donors, amplify our impact, and usher in a new age of generosity.
At Hatch, we’re committed to leading this transformation—providing tools that empower nonprofits to connect more deeply, act more strategically, and inspire more profoundly.

Let’s embrace the miracle of data-driven connection—together.