FundraisingAI

From outdated best practices to the rise of agentic AI, the world of artificial intelligence is changing by the day. Reshaping how we work, lead, and give, AI is evolving faster than any other technology we’ve seen before. In this episode, Nathan and Scott comment on the urgency and importance of mindset shifts around AI, the emergence of new roles, and the delicate balance between automation and...

In this episode, Nathan welcomes Jason VanLue, VP of Product at Virtuous, to explore the intersection of design thinking, branding, and AI. Starting the conversation, Jason shares his unique journey into product development and storytelling. The duo dives into the importance of design principles, the art of vibe coding, and why the human touch matters more than ever in an AI-driven world.  Moreove...

The term ‘Responsible AI’ is more than a buzzword; it’s a call to action. When we talk about responsible AI, it’s not about some fancy tech tools; it’s about power, ethics, leadership, and long-term consequences. The question we need to ask is ‘Who defines what’s safe? Who decides what’s ethical?’. At present a handful of tech giants shape the answers to those questions. While using AI might feel...

Today's conversation from the AI for Good Summit in Geneva, Nathan and Scott explore the evolving role of AI in shaping a better world. The summit, held under the United Nations banner and inspired by Neil Sahota, marks its 10th anniversary by focusing on how AI can accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The discussion encompasses diverse topics, ranging from quant...

In the rapidly accelerating world of Artificial Intelligence, the pace of innovation can feel overwhelming. From groundbreaking advancements to the ongoing debate about governance and ethical implications, AI is not just a tool; it's a transformative force. As we race towards super intelligence and navigate increasingly sophisticated models, how do we ensure that human values remain at the core of...

AI is no longer a remote concept; it’s here, reshaping how we communicate, work, and lead. But in a value-based sector such as healthcare philanthropy, AI adoption isn’t just about innovation; it’s about alignment, trust, and purpose. Curiosity fuels exploration, and authenticity remains the most valuable currency of our time. As organizations struggle with bureaucracy, privacy, and ethical consid...

In an era where Artificial Intelligence is redefining our world at a remarkably swift pace, the traditional way of doing things no longer guarantees decent outcomes. The transformation of how we work, create, and find meaning due to AI puts the conventional job pyramid into a disruptive mode. It’s our responsibility to embrace curiosity, adapt boldly, and focus on delivering meaningful outcomes ra...

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of technology, Artificial Intelligence isn’t just another tool but is becoming a part of the framework of how we live and work. But with that realization comes the question: What does it mean to use AI responsibly? How do we balance innovation with impact? And what happens if we let fear get in our way of engaging with AI at all? In this episode, Mallory Erick...

Compassionate AI goes beyond kindness and empathy. It’s deep-rooted, human-centered intelligence that understands and supports a person as a whole. Embedded in both Western rationality and Eastern wisdom, it aims to help us grow and connect more meaningfully. Instead of replacing humans, compassionate AI develops our ability to understand ourselves and each other. In medicine, education, justice,...

AI continues to offer incredible opportunities to innovate and improve efficiency, making the way to transform how we live and work. While AI becomes more involved with our daily lives, it raises critical questions about responsibility, ethics, and governance. For a responsible AI adoption, you need not only to embrace the technology and its potential but also understand the risks and limitations...

AI continues to prove its potential to enhance human touch in an era where technology often feels like it's replacing it. Most leaders are finding out that instead of replacing, AI can enhance empathy, streamline communication, and strengthen donor relationships. Using AI thoughtfully can help people reduce time-consuming work, clarify complex messages, and personalize outreach in a way that truly...

What does it mean to be AI fluent? And why is this skill becoming crucial not just for tech teams but for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and other mission-driven professionals? In this week’s episode, Nathan and Scott ponder these very questions. They also unpack what truly drives innovation: curiosity and imagination, while commenting that the biggest barrier to progress isn’t tools but people's...

From an emerging trend to a powerful everyday tool, AI has surely come a long way. The current models can generate content and languages, create visuals, and even act as personal assistants. And guess what the best part is? You don’t have to be a tech expert or a part of a large organization to use them. In this episode of the Fundraising AI podcast, Nathan and Scott explore how modern AI is trans...

Xiaochen Z is the founder and chief AI officer at AI2030, a global network focused on driving responsible and ethical AI development for the good of humanity. He is also the CEO of FinTech4Good with over 20 years of experience in the intersection of technology and social impact and leverages technology to empower communities and support sustainable development goals. In today’s episode with Xiaoch...

Fundraising, in the nonprofit sector, is no exception to the unprecedented pace of industry transformation by Artificial Intelligence. While AI continues to develop at a rapid rate, it presents both challenges and opportunities for organizations that seek effective donor engagement, operation optimization, and amplifying missions.   In this week’s episode of the FundraisingAI podcast, Nathan and S...

Nathan and Scott celebrate the 50th episode of the Fundraising AI podcast, reflecting on their journey and the rapid evolution of AI technology. They discuss the balance between AI scale and safety, noting the industry's focus on expansion over responsible use. The conversation highlights advancements in deep research, AI's impact on nonprofits, and the growing importance of generalists in the AI...

Meet Dave Raley, consultant, co-host, writer & keynote speaker, and the founder of Imago Consulting, an advisory firm that helps organizations create growth through innovation. He is also a passionate Disney fan. As an expert in nonprofit leadership, Dave has inspired thousands of nonprofit leaders to grow both personally and organizationally. He is the author of ‘The Rise of Sustainable Giving: H...

We start today’s conversation with Nathan and Scott sharing their thoughts on the inauguration of the 47th president of the USA and the tech giants who were present. Nathan comments on the new president’s decision to overturn the former president’s ‘Responsible AI Framework.’ Nathan and Scott then discuss the implications of AI's rapid advancement and the potential for future regulation, emphasizi...

Welcome back and Happy New Year to all our tech enthusiasts. In this episode, Nathan and Scott discuss their recent experiences with AI, including Nathan's exploration of quantum computing and Scott's digital detox. Throughout the conversation, they examine the rapidly evolving AI landscape and the importance of embracing the right tools, cultivating a culture of curiosity, and saving precious tim...

In this episode, Nathan and Scott discuss the rapid advancements in AI, their implications for the fundraising sector, and what you need to look out for when using newly developed technologies in general.   Nathan starts the conversation by remembering life before ChatGPT two years ago and how it became a daily sensation for everyone where people are very excited to make their lives easier with th...

In this episode, Nathan and Scott explore the concept of anthropomorphizing AI, delving into how simple acts like saying "please" and "thank you" can transform how we interact with AI tools. The duo examines best practices and philosophies around polite interactions with AI, referencing Conor Grennan's rationale and the "Hi, Great, Thanks" (HGT) framework for polite, human-centered exchanges. They...

Meet Jean Westrick, an Executive Director at the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). She has 20+ years in philanthropy, specializing in technology strategy, program execution, and foundation operations. Before being the next Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, Jean was the Director of IT Strategy and Communications at The Chicago Community Trust, where she led...

Starting today's conversation, Nathan and Scott discuss practical takeaways from recent conferences, including Scott's experience at the AFP Kindleberger Forum, where he saw firsthand how AI can empower small nonprofits with limited resources. They also explore the unique advantages smaller organizations have in adopting AI, given their agility and innovative potential. They propose forming nonpro...

In today's conversation, Subha Vadlamannati, founder and CEO of OpenNLP Labs and a student at Stanford, shares her journey and mission to make natural language processing (NLP) accessible for low-resource and marginalized languages. She explains the organization's focus on real-world applications of NLP, especially for languages underrepresented online, despite the vast number of global languages....

The evolution of AI has made our work easy and quick. But it’s crucial that we are using it for the right reasons. There’s also a dark side to using AI that most people aren’t aware of. That being said, we must research those who develop these technologies and find out how they are created.  Nathan and Scott started today’s conversation by looking back at the fundraising AI’s second global summit...