In today’s fast-paced digital world, nonprofit fundraisers are being asked to do more with fewer resources. That’s why making smarter fundraising asks isn’t just a nice-to-have strategy; it’s essential. Luckily, by combining the untapped potential of matching gift programs with the precision of artificial intelligence (or AI), nonprofits can raise more funds without overextending their team.
Whether you’re a seasoned development professional or just starting to explore digital tools, this post will walk you through how matching gifts and AI can elevate your fundraising strategy—helping you reach the right donor with the right message at the right time.
Specifically, we’ll cover the following best practices:
- Use AI-powered gift requests with Click & Pledge intelliBooster™
- Mention matching gifts in donation appeals.
- Take a personalized approach to engagement.
- Test, analyze, and make improvements.
By integrating these strategies into your campaigns, your nonprofit can work smarter—not harder—to drive donations and deepen donor relationships. From highlighting matching gift opportunities to using AI for targeted outreach, each insight is designed to help you make more meaningful asks with greater efficiency.
Ready? Let’s dive into how these tactics can transform your approach and boost your fundraising results.
1) Use AI-powered gift requests with Click & Pledge’s intelliBooster™
If you’re looking to take your fundraising strategy to the next level, it’s time to consider the power of AI-driven tools. Artificial intelligence can transform the way you approach donor engagement by helping you identify the best prospects, suggest ideal gift amounts, and time your asks for maximum impact.
One standout tool in this space is Click & Pledge’s intelliBooster™, which uses AI and predictive analytics to analyze donor behavior and recommend personalized gift requests. Instead of guessing how much to ask for—or when—intelliBooster helps you tailor each request based on data like a donor’s past giving, engagement history, and capacity.
Here’s what using AI-powered gift tools can help your nonprofit do:
- Boost average gift amounts with suggested donation tiers tailored to each donor
- Identify high-potential supporters you may have overlooked
- Automate outreach to save time and increase consistency
- A/B test messages and timing to learn what really works
These tools don’t just make your team’s job easier—they make your asks smarter. By letting AI handle the heavy lifting of donor analysis and message targeting, your organization can focus on building genuine relationships and delivering impact.
2) Mention matching gifts in donation appeals
One of the easiest—and most effective—ways to make a smarter fundraising ask is to mention matching gifts directly in your donation appeals. Why? Because research shows that when donors know their gift can be doubled (or even tripled), they’re significantly more likely to give—and to give more.
In fact, research consistently shows that simply incorporating matching gift messaging can increase both donation conversion rates and average gift size. It makes perfect sense: people want to make a bigger impact, and knowing their donation can go further with no added cost is a powerful motivator.
To make the most of this strategy:
- Highlight matching opportunities in your email and website copy, especially on your donation form and thank-you page.
- Use compelling language like: “P.S. Double your donation at no extra cost” or “Your gift may be eligible for a corporate match—check now!”
- Include a matching gift search tool so donors can easily look up their employer’s program without leaving your site.
Matching gifts aren’t just a bonus—they’re a strategic way to turn every donor interaction into a bigger opportunity for impact. By incorporating them into your asks, you’re not only raising more money but also making each donor feel like their gift truly matters.
3) Take a personalized approach to engagement.
If you’re wondering how to make smarter donation asks, one of the most effective strategies is simple: get personal.
Gone are the days when a generic, one-size-fits-all appeal could reliably inspire donors to give. Today’s supporters expect communication that reflects their interests, history, and values—and personalization can be the key to unlocking stronger relationships and higher donation amounts.
Smarter fundraising means:
- Addressing donors by name (e.g., Hi Steve, it’s Joe from the Cat Rescue Club!)
- Referencing their past support (e.g., You’ve displayed a history of generous support. Will you consider giving once again to support our cause?)
- Tailoring asks to their giving capacity (e.g., suggesting a $100 gift to someone who gave $75 last time)
- Segmenting outreach based on donor behavior, location, engagement level, or giving history
Ultimately, personalized engagement shows donors that they’re seen and valued—not just as dollar signs but as partners in your mission. And when donors feel that connection, they’re much more likely to say yes when you make the ask.
4) Test, analyze, and make improvements
One of the smartest things your nonprofit can do to improve fundraising results is to embrace a mindset of continuous optimization. After all, making smarter asks isn’t a one-and-done task—it’s an ongoing process of testing, analyzing, and refining your approach.
The good news? You don’t need a data science team to get started. You can simply start by testing different elements of your appeals, such as:
- Email subject line performance
- Suggested donation amounts
- Call-to-action language (“Donate now” vs. “Help us make a difference”)
- Timing of sends (day of the week, time of day)
- Messaging that includes matching gift info vs. those that don’t
Once you’ve run your tests, take time to analyze the results. Look for trends in open rates, click-through rates, average gift sizes, conversions, and other key metrics. Then, use those insights to make informed improvements. If your emails with matching gift mentions perform better, make that a regular part of your outreach. If donors respond more to personalized subject lines, double down on segmentation.
This cycle of testing and learning ensures your fundraising strategy doesn’t just rely on gut instinct or outdated tactics. Instead, it evolves with your audience and becomes smarter and more effective over time.
—
The smartest fundraisers today aren’t necessarily asking more—they’re asking better. By harnessing the potential of matching gifts and leveraging the data-driven power of AI, your nonprofit can increase donations, deepen donor engagement, reduce fundraising lulls, and stretch your team’s capacity in meaningful ways.
It doesn’t take a huge budget or an advanced tech team to get started. A few strategic tools and tweaks can open the door to greater impact and efficiency.
Ready to fundraise smarter, not harder? Let’s get started.
Let’s do some good, together.
