Ministry Brands Turns to AI to Boost Giving and Development

Ministry Brands, a software company serving more than 90,000 churches and nonprofits, is doubling down on artificial intelligence to enhance operations and increase donations. Under the leadership of new Chief Technology Officer Jamshed Patel, the company is incorporating both generative and traditional AI to speed up product development, automate internal processes, and optimize donor engagement strategies. Patel, who has held leadership roles at major firms like Workday and ADP, sees AI as a vital tool to help nonprofits expand their reach and strengthen connections with supporters.

The company already facilitates $6.5 billion in annual charitable giving and has built an expansive portfolio by acquiring firms like WeGather, ParishSOFT, WeShare, and easyTithe. These acquisitions offer tools ranging from donor outreach and background checks to church management and accounting. Patel emphasizes the importance of using AI to streamline these complex software systems, reducing the need for costly upgrades.

Ministry Brands is using AI internally for tasks like code generation, vulnerability detection, and technical documentation. It also deployed a chatbot to help customer support staff find answers quickly. AI is further used to analyze feedback from its large customer base to inform product improvements. Looking ahead, the company is developing its first subscription-based generative AI tool aimed at automating accounting tasks, generating marketing materials, and improving donor targeting.

Digital giving is a top priority. The company has added payment methods like Apple Pay and Venmo to cater to mobile-savvy donors. Currently, 42% of giving through Ministry Brands is digital. Yet, donations from young adults (ages 18–29) remain low, with only 16% of church leaders reporting an increase in giving from that group in 2024. Patel stresses the importance of mobile engagement to attract younger givers.

While embracing innovation, Patel draws a boundary: AI will not replace the spiritual voice of pastors. Future tools may assist with sermon preparation by referencing scripture, but the message, he insists, “has to come from the heart.”

For more details, refer to the original article on MSN.