Nonprofit News Feed Podcast

NonprofitNewsFeed.com

Short summaries of nonprofit sector news covering fundraising, trends, and information from 100’s of sources.

  1. FEB 2

    Will The Future of Nonprofit Discoverability Be Donations on LLMs? Why We Think It’s Coming…And More! (news)

    AI’s Impact on Nonprofit Visibility and the Changing Landscape of Foundation Support This week’s episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed, the hosts delve into the evolving dynamics of AI’s influence on nonprofit visibility and the current state of foundation support. Main Topics: AI’s Knowledge Windows and Nonprofit Visibility: George and Nick discuss a new beta feature from OpenAI’s ChatGPT called “knowledge windows.” This feature presents information about organizations directly within the AI interface, potentially reducing website traffic as users get essential details without needing to visit the source. This development could significantly alter how nonprofits engage with potential donors and supporters, as AI becomes the gatekeeper of information. Foundation Support and Nonprofit Perception Gap: A report from the Center for Effective Philanthropy highlights a significant perception gap between foundations and nonprofits. While 93% of foundation leaders believe they understand grantee challenges, only 54% of nonprofits agree. The report also notes that foundation responses have weakened post-COVID, despite increased demand for nonprofit services. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post Will The Future of Nonprofit Discoverability Be Donations on LLMs? Why We Think It’s Coming…And More! (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    22 min
  2. JAN 23

    AI Ads Are Here: A New Frontier for Nonprofits (news)

    AI Ads: A New Frontier for Nonprofits This week on the Nonprofit Newsfeed the hosts dive into a game-changing announcement from OpenAI that could revolutionize nonprofit marketing strategies. OpenAI has revealed plans to pilot advertising on ChatGPT, marking a significant shift in how nonprofits might engage with audiences. Key Highlights: OpenAI’s Announcement: OpenAI is testing ads in select markets for ChatGPT’s free and low-cost tiers, aiming to provide more users with access to its AI tools without usage limits. Implications for Nonprofits: With approximately 800 million weekly active users, ChatGPT offers nonprofits a vast audience for targeted advertising. This presents an unprecedented opportunity to engage users during meaningful conversations across diverse contexts, from education to health advice. Concerns and Opportunities: While the prospect of ads in AI raises concerns about data privacy and the influence on AI-generated content, it also opens doors for nonprofits to reach audiences in innovative ways. The challenge will be crafting ad content that complements AI interactions without disrupting user trust. Transparency and Analytics: The move towards advertising may also introduce valuable analytics tools, enabling nonprofits to gain insights into user behavior and optimize their engagement strategies. Nonprofit Wellness Index Update: The podcast also highlights Whole Whale’s Nonprofit Wellness Index, which tracks sector health through job postings, layoffs, and ad spending. December’s index hit a record high, indicating a positive rebound from previous lows, suggesting a revitalized nonprofit sector. Feel-Good Story: In a lighter segment, the hosts share a unique fundraising initiative from an Alaskan bird conservation group. For Valentine’s Day, donors can name a rat after an ex, which will then be fed to a bird of prey, offering both cathartic satisfaction and support for wildlife conservation. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post AI Ads Are Here: A New Frontier for Nonprofits (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    19 min
  3. JAN 21

    Grok’s Deepfake Crisis Is Forcing a Global Reckoning on AI, Platform Safety, and Accountability (news)

    This week on the Nonprofit News Feed, the hosts dive into pressing digital safety issues and uplifting philanthropic news. The episode covers the alarming rise of deep fakes and their implications for nonprofits, and celebrates a significant donation to support LGBTQ+ youth. Main Topics: Global Crisis of Deep Fakes: The episode highlights the disturbing trend of deep fakes, particularly on the AI platform Grok, which is generating non-consensual and sexualized images. The hosts stress the urgent need for nonprofits working with vulnerable groups to advocate for stricter regulations and educate communities on digital safety. Implications for Nonprofits: The conversation emphasizes the critical role of nonprofits in combating AI-enabled cyberbullying and gender-based violence. Organizations are called to update internet safety protocols and engage in advocacy to protect affected communities. Mackenzie Scott’s Transformative Gift: In a beacon of hope, Mackenzie Scott’s $45 million unrestricted donation to the Trevor Project is celebrated. This lifeline comes after federal funding cuts and highlights the importance of substantial, unrestricted support for nonprofits in crisis. Dissolution of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting: The episode also covers the dissolution of this vital organization due to funding cuts, impacting local journalism and broadcasting. The hosts discuss the potential repercussions on local news and the need for new revenue streams. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post Grok’s Deepfake Crisis Is Forcing a Global Reckoning on AI, Platform Safety, and Accountability (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    17 min
  4. JAN 12

    Social Services Fraud In Minnesota: How A Few Bad Actors Foment Collective Punishment (news)

    Episode Overview: Fraud in Minnesota’s Social Services: Federal prosecutors have uncovered widespread fraud in Minnesota’s social safety programs, with fewer than 100 individuals exploiting pandemic-era funds, resulting in over $1 billion in misappropriations. The lack of effective oversight allowed fraudulent activities to flourish, leading to significant repercussions for the Somali community in Minnesota. The “blast radius” effect highlights how a few bad actors can have widespread negative impacts on an entire community, affecting funding and perception. Flipcause Bankruptcy Fallout: Flipcause, a fundraising platform, has filed for bankruptcy, owing over $29 million to more than 3,200 nonprofits. The insolvency raises questions about the platform’s financial management practices, emphasizing the need for nonprofits to maintain control over their payment processing systems. Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s Strategic Shift: The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative has withdrawn support from Forward Us, an immigration nonprofit, citing a strategic focus on science and education. This decision reflects a broader trend of philanthropic organizations re-evaluating their commitments to social justice initiatives. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post Social Services Fraud In Minnesota: How A Few Bad Actors Foment Collective Punishment (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    22 min
  5. 12/17/2025

    2025 in Review: Navigating AI Shifts and Nonprofit Challenges (news)

    In the latest episode of the Whole Whale Podcast, hosts George and Nick reflect on the transformative themes that shaped the nonprofit sector in 2025. With a focus on AI’s impact, they explore how answer engine optimization (AEO) has redefined nonprofit discovery and engagement. AI’s rapid adoption has led to decreased organic traffic for nonprofits, necessitating strategic pivots in content and donor engagement. George highlights a significant increase in AI-generated content, with Whole Whale producing nearly a million words daily. This shift underscores the need for nonprofits to establish internal AI policies and balance AI use with human oversight to maintain ethical standards and foster innovation. Nick introduces the “crawl, walk, run” framework, guiding nonprofits in adopting AI responsibly. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining human expertise and authority in an AI-saturated world, urging organizations to focus on quality over quantity in content creation. The episode also revisits key rants from 2025, including Microsoft’s controversial changes to its nonprofit grant program and GoFundMe’s unauthorized creation of shadow donation pages for nonprofits. These challenges highlight the importance of maintaining autonomy and control over nonprofit branding and fundraising. Looking ahead to 2026, George and Nick advise nonprofits to prioritize strategic use of AI, leveraging high-quality intelligence tokens to amplify impact while avoiding the pitfalls of AI-generated “slop.” They stress the importance of creating original, authoritative content that reflects an organization’s mission and expertise. As they close the episode, George and Nick express optimism for 2026, anticipating renewed energy and opportunities for nonprofits amidst upcoming midterms and sector transformations. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post 2025 in Review: Navigating AI Shifts and Nonprofit Challenges (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    17 min
  6. 12/08/2025

    Navigating Donation Platform Risks and AI Opportunities (news)

    In this episode of the Nonprofit Newsfeed the hosts dive into the latest developments in the nonprofit sector, focusing on the aftermath of Giving Tuesday, challenges with donation platforms, and exciting AI opportunities for nonprofits. Key Topics: Giving Tuesday Overview: The hosts reflect on the impact and outcomes of the recent Giving Tuesday, with hopes that it reached the predicted $4 million mark to kickstart the fundraising season for nonprofits. Donation Platform Concerns: A significant issue discussed is the case of Flip Cause, a donation platform that inadvertently kept “shadow campaign pages” live, leading to a $500,000 loss in donation revenue. The California State Attorney General issued a cease and desist order after nonprofits reported these discrepancies. This incident underscores the risks associated with outdated or unauthorized donation pages, emphasizing the need for nonprofits to regularly audit and verify their donation processes and data integrity. AI for Nonprofits: Anthropic’s announcement of Claude for Nonprofits offers a 75% discount on AI access, aiming to enhance nonprofit operations with AI tools for grant writing, engagement, and program evaluation. The hosts compare this offering to Google’s AI tools, discussing pricing and the importance of choosing the right AI tools to maximize impact while ensuring data privacy. Mr. Beast and Rockefeller Foundation Collaboration: The partnership between YouTuber Mr. Beast and the Rockefeller Foundation aims to engage young people in philanthropy by combining storytelling with data-driven philanthropy. The discussion highlights the potential impact and pitfalls of influencer-led philanthropy, emphasizing the importance of ethical storytelling and the need to avoid reinforcing negative narratives about aid recipients. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post Navigating Donation Platform Risks and AI Opportunities (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    19 min
  7. 10/23/2025

    DEVELOPING: GoFundMe Backtracks After Backlash to Millions of Auto-Generated Nonprofit Donation Pages (news)

    *****UPDATE: After we recorded this episode, GoFundMe announced they would reverse their stance on auto-generated nonprofit donation pages made without their consent making them opt-in instead of opt-out. Unclaimed Nonprofit Pages, they wrote in a public response, would be removed and de-indexed.*****   In this episode of Nonprofit Newsfeed, George Weiner, Chief Whaler of Whole Whale, and Nick Azulay, digital strategist at Whole Whale, dive into a startling discovery involving GoFundMe’s creation of 1.4 million shadow donation pages for US nonprofits. Without outreach or consent, GoFundMe auto-generated these pages, raising significant concerns within the nonprofit community. Discovery of Shadow Pages: The hosts note how they discovered that many nonprofits, including Whole Whale clients, had active GoFundMe pages soliciting donations without their knowledge or consent. Potential Ramifications: The hosts discuss the implications of GoFundMe using nonprofit logos and public information without permission. The platform also initially set a default tip for itself at 16.5%, which has since been reduced following public backlash. Impact on Nonprofits: The episode emphasizes the risk to nonprofit brand management, especially with the upcoming end-of-year giving season. Nonprofits now face the challenge of ensuring their brand integrity and donor relationships are not compromised. Recommendations for Nonprofits: George and Nick outline a “claim, clean, and correct” strategy. They advise nonprofits to claim their GoFundMe pages, correct any inaccuracies, and make the pages private to protect their brand and donor data. Broader Implications: The conversation extends to the potential impact on AI systems that rely on indexed information from such pages, affecting how nonprofits are represented in digital spaces. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post DEVELOPING: GoFundMe Backtracks After Backlash to Millions of Auto-Generated Nonprofit Donation Pages (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    23 min
  8. 10/20/2025

    Government Shutdown’s Impact on Nonprofits & A $500M AI Initiative (news)

    In this week’s episode the hosts delve into the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and its implications for the nonprofit sector. The shutdown, now extending over half a month, poses significant challenges for nonprofits that rely on government partnerships. With 750,000 federal workers furloughed, nonprofits face operational hurdles, particularly in grant management and accessing social services like SNAP benefits. The shutdown’s ripple effects could increase demand for nonprofit services as more workers remain unpaid and public services remain halted. In brighter news, a consortium of ten major philanthropic foundations has announced a $500 million initiative, Humanity Forward, to explore AI’s societal impacts. This collaborative effort includes the Doris Duke Foundation, Ford Foundation, and MacArthur Foundation, among others. The initiative aims to investigate AI’s influence on democracy, economy, culture, and education, with funds being distributed as early as fall 2025. The episode highlights the importance of nonprofits actively engaging with AI to drive innovation rather than being passive participants. The hosts also introduce a fun, albeit tongue-in-cheek, mini-game created by Whole Whale. The game serves as a metaphor for the challenges nonprofits face in fundraising, emphasizing innovative content strategies to engage audiences beyond traditional written articles. This interactive approach underscores the potential for nonprofits to leverage AI and technology in new ways. For nonprofits navigating these uncertain times, the episode underscores the importance of strategic planning and adapting to technological advancements. The discussion encourages nonprofits to explore AI’s potential and consider how these tools can enhance their mission-driven work. -------- NonprofitNewsfeed.com Summary of hundreds of news sources. The post Government Shutdown’s Impact on Nonprofits & A $500M AI Initiative (news) first appeared on Nonprofit News Feed.

    12 min
5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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Short summaries of nonprofit sector news covering fundraising, trends, and information from 100’s of sources.

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