Episdoe 108: How to Use AI to Build a Text Campaign That Donors Actually Respond To

Text fundraising is one of the highest ROI channels out there — but only if you do it right. With 98% open rates, SMS is a nonprofit marketer’s dream. But let’s be real — if your texts feel like spam, they’ll still get ignored. In today’s episode of The Million Dollar Nonprofit, Tom Kelly shows you how to craft a text campaign that actually converts, using AI to write warm, personal messages that feel like they came from a friend, not a robot.

You’ll learn how to build your list the right way, use ChatGPT to craft short, donor-focused sequences, and trigger automated replies that feel human. Plus, discover the exact tools Tom uses — from DonorBooks to Twilio — to save time while scaling connection. Whether you're starting from scratch or looking to level up your current SMS strategy, this episode is your step-by-step playbook for turning texts into donations.

Ready to stop blasting and start connecting? Let’s get into it.