FundraisingAI

While many people know about AI, not everyone chooses to use it. The key difference is curiosity and the willingness to try new tools!  During today's conversation, Nathan shares stories from his AI training sessions, showing how hands-on practice with tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and NotebookLM helps people understand what AI can and cannot do.  The conversati...

Behind every new AI breakthrough lies a bigger question: who benefits, who loses, and what comes next?  In this conversation, Nathan and Scott explore some of the biggest debates shaping the future of artificial intelligence. They begin with Apple's WWDC announcements, discussing Siri's major upgrades and how on-device AI could make it a smarter and more personalized assistant. The discussion then...

This episode features Sophia 'Puff' Story, Co-Founder of 3 Sided Cube USA, exploring how mission-driven technology and artificial intelligence are reshaping both business and nonprofit sectors. Sophia shares how 3 Sided Cube builds "tech for good" products designed to improve millions of lives, and reflects on their experience using AI to develop a new website, an effort that revealed the continue...

What happens when artificial intelligence advances faster than society's ability to adapt? And what role should nonprofits, faith leaders, and technology providers play in shaping a future that remains deeply human?  In this episode, Nathan and Scott reflect on key discussions from the Virtuous User Summit, where AI emerged as a central theme for the nonprofit sector. They examine the unique cultu...

Imagine a world where AI becomes a facilitator for solving the world’s hardest challenges, but if we choose to shape it with care.   Raising both opportunities and concerns, AI is quickly reshaping the world of nonprofit and higher education sectors. In the process of adopting AI, organizations face pivotal decisions regarding ethics, agency, and creativity. Leaders can guide AI use toward a futur...

Meet Ben Miller, Senior Vice President of Data Science and Analytics at Bonterra, and Tanuja Korlepra, Chief Technology Officer at Bonterra.  Starting the conversation, Ben shares his experience in fundraising analytics and industry research, while Tanuja mentions her background in big tech, including work with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure, and her passion for using technology to drive...

What if the tools we built today decide how society advances tomorrow?    With the emergence of world models, which are capable of understanding causality, basic physics, spatial relationships, and time, they are prepared to predict consequences at an extraordinary scale. Powerful tools like these have the ability to bring both enormous potential for breakthroughs in medicine, security, and innova...

This episode features Gabe Cooper, CEO and founder of Virtuous Software. Starting the conversation, Gabe shares his journey, explaining how his background in the nonprofit sector inspired him to build Virtuous with a mission to make giving more personal and meaningful. He explores the idea of "responsive fundraising," a model that uses data to create deeper, more human connections with donors rath...

Let's have a thoughtful look at how purpose, strategy, and technology can come together to create meaningful global change!  Dr. Douglas Jackson, CEO of Project C.U.R.E., talks about the journey of the organization, which began in a small garage in 1987 and has grown into a global charity. He shares that in the early days, they used simple spreadsheets to manage their work, but later moved to Micr...

What does it really take to blend human connection with rapidly evolving AI tools? How do you stay grounded when technology is constantly pushing you to do more, faster?   In this conversation, Nathan and Scott explore these questions while celebrating a major milestone in their podcast journey, reaching 30,000 downloads and 80 episodes.  The discussion explores the transformative impact of AI too...

In this episode, Nathan and Scott explore the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, politics, and organizational values.   The conversation begins with the Pentagon's request to use Anthropic's AI model without certain safeguards, a request the company declined. This decision sparks a discussion of the political pressure on AI companies, including potential government responses and the...

This week on FundraisingAI, Scott sits down with Paul Goldstein, Head of AI Growth at Blackbaud, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the non-profit sector. Paul reflects on his journey from leading tech roles at Amazon and Glassdoor to joining Blackbaud, a mission-driven organization focused on impact and responsibility. He shares what inspired the move and highlights the passion,...

The future belongs to those who are willing to see past what worked before and design for what comes next. With intelligence becoming abundant, organizations are forced to face a new challenge: turning powerful tools into meaningful, ethical impact. Responsible AI use has come to depend more on culture, operations, and leadership mindset than on technology. In order for this to work, curiosity mus...

The future we’ve imagined is arriving at a pace we never expected. And AI is leading the charge with the ability to code, plan autonomously, and act independently. Showing the gaps in ethics, privacy, and long-term accountability, these technologies amplify both human potential and risk. The stakes range from sensitive data collection to the responsibility of choosing when to use or refuse. It is...

This conversation explores the growing influence of artificial intelligence on humanity, work, and relationships, framed through reflections on the World Economic Forum in Davos. Nathan and Scott discuss how AI has overtaken environmental issues as the dominant theme, while also questioning the irony of elite climate discussions driven by private travel. They examine how rapidly AI is reshaping da...

This conversation features a thoughtful discussion between Nathan and Kelley Hecht on how nonprofits can use AI in practical, responsible ways.  Nathan introduces Kelley and highlights her work at AWS, where she helps nonprofit organizations adopt cloud technology and AI with a strong focus on data, security, and ethics. Kelley shares her journey into AI, explaining how early confusion helped her...

The rapid development of AI technologies is changing the rules of productivity, creativity, and success in ways that are a marvel in comparison to before. Nonprofits now have the tools closer by to accelerate workflows, generate insights, and unlock new possibilities, but the challenge is defining what success looks like in this fast-growing landscape. Leaders must rethink priorities, protect time...

AI is a dichotomy of infinite possibility and infinite doom. It challenges humans to reclaim agency in an era strongly shaped by technology. From reshaping creative industries to redefining authenticity, AI is more than just a tool but a mirror of decision-making, curiosity, and restraint. Join Nathan and Scott in their conversation on how leaders, creators, and organizations can navigate cognitiv...

In this episode, Nathan and Scott talk about how quickly AI is changing the fundraising world. They look back at 2025 and think about what 2026 might bring. Nathan points out that no one expected AI to advance this quickly in just three years, and both agree that staying curious and adaptable is essential.  They share real examples, such as Nathan's young sons building apps, to show how easy it is...

Change rarely begins with certainty. It begins with a decision to act. In this episode, Nathan is joined by Michael Sheldrick to explore what it takes to turn ideas into real impact.    Michael Sheldrick is the Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer for Global Citizen, who oversees a global team of 30 professionals who work with governments, businesses, foundations, and...

The robots used to be a distant concept from science fiction, but not anymore. They are already here, walking among us. From agentic AI to artificial general intelligence, the digital frontier is evolving faster than most can process. As these tools grow smarter and more autonomous, the heart of the matter is finding out how to stay grounded, curious, and values-driven in an age defined by acceler...

AI is not just a distant concept but a force that quietly transforms how nonprofits create, communicate, and connect. The key to successful adaptation of AI technologies is embracing imperfection, letting AI spark direction, structure, and scale, even when the first draft isn’t perfect. As the sector evolves by the week, adaptability becomes the ultimate advantage for nonprofits in staying discove...

The nonprofit sector continues to reshape with AI, but its power comes with responsibility. The ethical use of AI is essential to ensure technology serves human values rather than replacing them. Organizations need to balance hope and fear, embrace accountability, and create policies rooted in empathy, equity, and integrity. Evolving beyond awareness to action requires responsible experimentation...

Living in a rapidly changing technological era, the development of AI reminds us that what feels stable today can shift overnight. Just as global pandemics and political scenarios are reshaping our world quickly, AI is accelerating change at an unprecedented pace. The key not just to survive but to stay at the top of the technological game is to learn to adapt, stay open to possibilities, and prep...

In this week’s episode, we welcome Mallory Erickson, the creator of Practivated, and Woodrow Rosenbaum, founder and CEO of With Intent. This conversation focuses on the balance between productivity and efficiency with the help of AI in a world where speed often overshadows substance. Together, they shed light on how innovation can empower nonprofits to reimagine generosity for the future.   HIGHLI...