FundraisingAI
The need for change in the fundraising sector has never been greater. But innovations in technology are evolving faster than our ability to understand them. Are these advances good or bad? Do they have unintended consequences? And what is the application to the fundraising sector? That’s what we’re here to find out. Welcome to the FundraisingAI podcast, your up-to-date resource for beneficial and responsible AI for the global fundraising community.In our podcast, we explore the intersection where philanthropy meets technology, delving into beneficial and responsible AI practices and their impact on fundraising. Join us for engaging discussions with indu...
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Episode 82 - From Garage to Global Relief: How Project C.U.R.E. Scales Impact with Data, Volunteers, and AI with Dr. Douglas Jackson
<p>Let's have a thoughtful look at how purpose, strategy, and technology can come together to create meaningful global change! </p> <p>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 Microsoft tools to improve their systems and communication. </p> <p>Doug highlights how strategic partnerships and technology adoption improved efficiency, enabling Project C.U.R.E. to deliver hundreds of med...
Avoiding AI Burnout: Balancing Opportunity, Overwhelm, and "Ambient Work"
<p>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? </p> <p> 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. </p> <p>The discussion explores the transformative impact of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, highlighting how these technologies are reshaping workflows, boosting efficiency, and prompting new ways of thinking. Through personal stories, Nathan and Scott emphasize the importance of experimentation and continuous learning to fully...
Choosing the Right AI Tools and Using Them Smartly
<p>In this episode, Nathan and Scott explore the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, politics, and organizational values. </p> <p>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 broader implications of corporate independence. Nathan and Scott also examine how other companies responded to the situation, highlighting the fast-moving and sometimes contradictory dynamics within the AI industry. </p> <p>Beyond the immediate controversy, Nathan and Scott reflect on the deeper role that va...
Episode 79 - AI's Next Chapter in Non-profits with Paul Goldstein
<p>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, thoughtfulness, and deep commitment to privacy he has encountered in the non-profit world. </p> <p>The discussion dives into Blackbaud's "Intelligence for Good" strategy, an approach centered on building AI tools that are responsible, convenient, and genuinely helpful for non-profits...
Rethinking Intelligence: Why Adaptability Beats Expertise
<p>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 must be expected, experimentation must be safe, and systems must translate insight into action. With a combination of people, processes, and purpose, AI becomes a force multiplier rather than a checkbox. Those who are willing to ret...
Navigating the Fast-Moving AI Revolution
<p>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 essential that organizations, leaders, and individuals understand how speed, incentives, and values can shape a future where AI mirrors both our intelligence and our humanity. </p> <p> </p> <p>In this week’s episode, Nathan an...
AI at a Crossroads: Humanity, Ethics, and the Future Ahead
<p>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 daily life and challenge listeners to think beyond the present, including the implications of a near future marked by ideas such as "AI 2027" and the path toward artificial general intelligence. </p> <p><br></p> <p>The discussion turns to philanthropy and nonp...
Episode 75 - Building Data-Driven Nonprofits with Kelley Hecht
<p>This conversation features a thoughtful discussion between Nathan and Kelley Hecht on how nonprofits can use AI in practical, responsible ways. </p> <p>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 understand the gap between hype and reality. Together, they explore common misperceptions about AI, stressing that it is not about tools alone, but about clear goals, good data, and strong decision-making. </p> <p>The conversation emphasizes data as...
Redefining Success: AI and the New Nonprofit Productivity
<p>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 for strategic thinking, and harness AI to amplify mission impact rather than just speed when linear benchmarks, incremental growth, and traditional measures of output are no longer enough. Join Nathan and Scott in this new year’s episode and lea...
Agency in the Age of AI: Navigating Infinite Possibility and Doom
<p>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 cognitive dissonance, acknowledge AI as a thinking partner, not a task executor, and focus on human-centered action amid rapid technological development. </p> <p>HIGHLIGHTS </p> <p> </p> <p>[02.27] The importance of understanding one’s values in the age of AI. </p...
