Momentum’s AI writer drafts donor communication for you, but the quality of the draft depends on the quality of your prompt. Vague prompts produce generic emails. Clear, specific prompts produce donor-centered emails that sound like you. This article covers simple instructions to structure a strong prompt and refine a draft that falls flat.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Prompt?
- Start Here: Complete Your User Bio, Org Bio, and Email Examples
- PACT: A Formula for Better Prompts
- Prompt Examples
- Refining the First Draft
- Review Every Draft Before Sending
What Is a Prompt?
A prompt is the plain-language instructions you give the AI writer to draft communications. an Action or Template. Think of it like briefing a colleague: what the message is for, who it's going to, and how it should sound. Momentum automatically combines your prompt with real, up-to-date donor data already in the record (including giving history, donor details, previous interactions) so you don't need to type in facts the system already has. Your prompt directs what to say and how to say it; Momentum fills in who it's about.
The AI writer uses your prompts to draft communication in Actions or in Templates:
- Actions: When you create a New Action (email, call, letter, or handwritten card), you can give the AI a one-off prompt or select a saved AI Template. Learn more about Actions here.
- Templates: AI Templates (found under Workspace) are reusable, saved prompts that also draft with the AI writer. Once created, an AI Template can be applied across Lists, Actions, and Cadences. Learn more about Templates here.
Start Here: Complete Your User Bio, Org Bio, and Email Examples
Before writing prompts, teach Momentum how you communicate. This helps cut down on time revising drafts and produces communication that uses your voice and writing style. Navigate to your Profile under Workspace and complete these sections:
- User Bio: your role, communication style, and the personal touches you use with donors. Here, add any blanket instructions for all communication and set preferences such as your typical greeting (Hi, Hello), your tone (conversational, formal, enthusiastic), preferred terminology (Gifts are always referred to as support), language to avoid, and your sign-off.
- Org Bio: your organization’s mission, programs, and preferred language for describing impact.
- Email Examples: a few strong emails that sound like you, covering outreach types such as thank-yous, follow-ups, and event invitations.
Update these at any time your role changes or organizational priorities shift to keep your communication aligned with your work. The more clearly you describe your style and provide examples, the more closely future drafts will sound like you. To learn more, see this support article on User & Org Bio.
PACT: A Formula for Better Prompts
When creating new Actions or AI Templates, you’ll need to give clear instructions to the AI writer to draft the communication. The more specific your prompt, the closer the first draft lands to something you'd actually send. The PACT framework below gives you a simple structure for writing a strong one.
- Purpose: what should Momentum write or do? Why are you contacting this constituent? Include relevant calls to action.
- Audience: who is receiving the message? What is the impact of this donor’s support?
- Context: what details should the email use? Include any relevant details on the donor’s relationship to your organization, recent Gifts, or any touchpoints.
- Tone: how should it sound, and what should it avoid? How long should the message be?
The prompt doesn’t need to answer every single one of these questions or be long in directions. Use this framework to draft emails, letters, phone call talking points, or cards. For example:
Draft a [type of email] to [recipient] about [purpose]. Mention [specific context or details]. Use a [tone] tone. [Include or avoid a call to action.] Keep it [length or format].
Prompt Examples
The examples below are starting points. Replace the details with information specific to your organization and donor.
General Catch-Up Email
Draft a warm, conversational catch-up email to [Donor Name]. I haven’t connected with them in about [time period]. Mention that I enjoyed [recent interaction or shared connection] and briefly reference [program or organizational update]. The goal is to reopen the relationship, not make an ask. End by inviting them to share what they’ve been focused on recently. Keep it personal, concise, and natural.
Include: why this donor matters to you, the last meaningful point of connection, a specific update, whether you want a reply or meeting, and a clear instruction not to ask for a Gift.
Thank-You for a Recent Gift
Write a personal thank-you card to [Donor Name] for their recent Gift of [amount] to [fund, campaign, or program] on [date]. Explain how this support helps [specific impact]. Note if this is [their first Gift / an increased Gift / a Recurring Gift]. Do not ask for another Gift. Keep the message warm and sincere.
Include: the Gift amount and date, the fund supported, a specific and accurate impact statement, and the donor’s giving history or relationship milestone.
End-of-Year Gratitude Email
Draft an end-of-year gratitude email to [Donor Name], focused on appreciation for their support during [year]. Mention [a specific program achievement or milestone]. If relevant, recognize their [years giving / recurring support / event participation]. Do not include a fundraising ask in this version. Use a reflective, warm, donor-centered tone and keep it under [word count] words.
Include: the year or time period, one or two verified accomplishments, the donor’s connection to your organization, and whether the email should include an ask.
Event Follow-Up Email
Draft a personal follow-up email to [Donor Name], who attended [event name] on [date]. Thank them for joining and reference [a specific moment, speaker, or conversation]. Connect the event to [program or mission impact]. Use a friendly, appreciative tone that sounds one-to-one, not like a mass recap.
Include: the event name and date, what the donor did or experienced, a specific detail from the event, and the next step you want them to take.
Sponsorship Opportunity Email
Draft a professional but relationship-focused email to [Name]. We are exploring sponsorship support for [event, program, or initiative] on [date or timeframe]. Mention why this may align with [the company’s stated interest or prior involvement]. Include the sponsorship level or range of [amount] and the primary benefits: [benefit 1], [benefit 2], and [benefit 3]. The goal is to start a conversation, not pressure a decision. Ask whether they would be open to a brief call during [timeframe].
Include: the recipient’s role, why the opportunity is relevant to them, the sponsorship amount and benefits, and the desired next step.
Refining the First Draft
After Momentum’s AI writer has drafted communication from your prompt, you may need to refine it. You can refine manually in the draft for Templates and Actions. Templates, specifically, allow you to preview the output of your prompt. Use this to review the first attempt from the AI writer. If changes are required, add additional instructions to your initial prompt, such as:
- “Make this sound like a personal note, not a marketing email.”
- “Use the donor’s giving history, but don’t list statistics unless they support the relationship.”
- “Remove broad phrases like ‘your support makes a difference’ and replace them with a concrete impact statement.”
- “Shorten this to three brief paragraphs and end with one clear next step.”
The AI writer applies these adjustments for your future communications.
Review Every Draft Before Sending
The AI writer creates a starting point, not a final message. Always review before sending. Confirm that:
- The donor’s name, pronouns, organization, and relationship details are correct.
- Gift amounts, dates, programs, and outcomes are accurate.
- The message sounds like you and reflects the real relationship.
- The call to action, subject line, and sign-off are correct.
Review is especially important when a draft references sensitive information, complex giving history, or details that aren’t clearly documented in the donor record. The best prompts give Momentum enough to understand the relationship, the purpose, and the outcome you want. Review the result, add a personal detail, and refine as needed.
The more you give your AI writer, the better the results. Try, refine, and let it do the bulk of your drafting.