FundraisingAI

Nathan Chappell, Scott Rosenkrans

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 industry experts and thought leaders, where we uncover: Latest Trends in AI Development: Updates on advancements in AI technologies and their applied application to the global fundraising sector. Transparent Fundraising Strategies: Using AI beneficially to build trust and accountability in donor relationships. AI for Social Impact: Harnessing AI technologies to drive meaningful change and amplify impact. Data Privacy and Security: Safeguarding donor information in an increasingly digital world. Beneficial and Responsible AI Development: Crafting algorithms that prioritize fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. Collaborative Initiatives: Exploring partnerships that promote responsible AI adoption and innovation. Whether you’re a nonprofit professional, fundraiser, or technology enthusiast, Fundraising.AI equips you with actionable insights and best practices to navigate the evolving landscape of fundraising and AI. Join us on this journey towards creating a more generous future for all.

  1. 2d ago

    Using Fable, Reducing AI’s Carbon Footprint, and Rethinking Nonprofit Work

    AI is changing the way we work, but using it wisely is key to getting real value!  In this conversation, Nathan and Scott talk about Anthropic's Fable model and how AI tools can help with complex tasks, improve productivity, and support better decision-making. The conversation highlights the importance of choosing the right AI model for the right job instead of using powerful tools for every task.  Another important topic discussed is the environmental impact of AI. Nathan and Scott discuss how responsible AI use can help reduce unnecessary energy use by selecting efficient models, reviewing AI habits, and planning tasks at better times.  The discussion also explores the challenges organizations face when adopting AI. They explain that successful AI adoption is not just about buying new technology but about developing the right strategy, training teams, and ensuring AI supports the organization's goals.  They also highlight the importance of human-AI collaboration, where people and technology work together to achieve better results. As AI continues to develop rapidly, staying up to date, testing new tools, and using AI responsibly will help organizations make the most of this growing technology.  HIGHLIGHTS [02:40] Discussion on Anthropic's Fable model  [08:45] Environmental Impact of AI  [10:17] Model Routing and AI Adoption  [19:06] Human-AI Collaboration and Organizational Adaptation  [28:15] The Emperor's New Clothes Analogy and AI Adoption Challenges  [31:35] Conclusion  Connect with Nathan and Scott:  LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/  LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans  Website: fundraising.ai/  Nonprofit AI: A Comprehensive Guide to Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good:   amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comprehensive-Implementing-Artificial-Intelligence-ebook  The Article I Kept Not Writing: linkedin.com/pulse/article-i-kept-writing-nathan-chappell

    Using Fable, Reducing AI’s Carbon Footprint, and Rethinking Nonprofit Work
  2. Jul 8

    Hands-On AI, Renewable Models, and the Future of Philanthropy

    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 conversation also looks beyond productivity to discuss important topics such as AI's environmental impact, ethical concerns, and its growing influence on the way people write and communicate. Nathan talks about the need to use AI responsibly and shares ideas from his work on sustainable AI. Scott adds that people should focus on using AI to solve real problems instead of relying on it for everything.  Furthermore, Nathan and Scott explore how AI can support the nonprofit sector, the rise of new AI systems that combine multiple models, and the increasing amount of AI-generated content on platforms such as LinkedIn. They end the conversation by encouraging listeners to stay curious, keep learning, and use AI as a tool to support, rather than replace, human creativity.    HIGHLIGHTS [01:04] AI Training and Practical Applications  [12:30] Agency and AI Adoption  [13:39] Environmental Impact and Ethical Concerns   [16:27] Philanthropy and Nonprofit Sector Challenges   [22:42] Technical Advancements in AI   [32:48] LinkedIn and AI-Generated Content   [37:12] AI's Influence on Language and Communication   Resources:  Connect with Nathan and Scott:  LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/  LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans  Website: fundraising.ai/  Website (Nathan): nathanchappell.com/

    Hands-On AI, Renewable Models, and the Future of Philanthropy
  3. Jul 1

    Managing the Wild Pace of AI Shifts

    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 shifts to Anthropic and its Claude models, including Fable, a safety-focused AI system that was ultimately shut down due to potential risks.   Nathan and Scott also examine changing narratives around AI and employment, questioning why industry leaders such as Sam Altman and Dario Amodei have recently shifted from warning about job losses to promoting job creation, especially as their companies prepare for IPOs. Finally, they tackle AI's environmental impact, highlighting the energy demands of data centers and considering whether future technologies, such as quantum computing, could provide sustainable solutions.  HIGHLIGHTS [02:44] WWDC and Siri Updates   [12:07] Anthropic and Claude Models   [22:20] Impact of AI on Jobs and IPOs  [30:00] Environmental Concerns and AI   Resources:  Connect with Nathan and Scott:  LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/  LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans  Website: fundraising.ai/    Mentioned in the episode:   The Artificial Intelligence Show: podcast.smarterx.ai/  The AI Daily Brief: aidailybrief.ai/

    Managing the Wild Pace of AI Shifts
  4. Jun 24

    How Three Sided Cube Is Changing Nonprofits with Sophia “Puff” Story

    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 continued importance of human judgment.  The discussion turns to the company's expansion into the US market, driven by strong demand and early revenue traction. Nathan and Sophia then examine the accelerating impact of AI on nonprofits, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in adoption, including governance, compliance, and strategy. Sophia further emphasizes experimentation, clear goal-setting, and measuring success before deploying AI solutions. The episode concludes with a call for nonprofits to embrace risk-taking, continuous learning, and practical AI experimentation to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape!    HIGHLIGHTS [03:21] 3 Sided Cube USA and Its Brand   [06:26] Expansion to the US Market   [11:40] Impact of AI on Business and Nonprofit Sectors   [14:58] Challenges and Opportunities in Nonprofit AI Adoption   [23:21] The Role of AI in Nonprofit Innovation   [34:01] The Behaviors Behind Innovation  Resources:  Connect with Sophia:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sophia  Website: 3sidedcube.com/  Mentioned in the episode:  ai-adoption.3sidedcube.com/  marketing.3sidedcube.com/ai-adoption-toolkit

    How Three Sided Cube Is Changing Nonprofits with Sophia “Puff” Story
  5. Jun 3

    Pope, AI, and the Generosity Crisis Talk

    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 culture of collaboration within nonprofits and the responsibility of technology partners to support missions that serve the common good. A major focus is the Pope's recent encyclical on AI, which raises concerns about the concentration of power, the dehumanizing potential of unchecked technology, and the need for ethical safeguards.   The conversation also explores AI-driven workforce disruption, growing demand for nonprofit services, and the sector's readiness to respond to these challenges. Beyond the risks, Nathan and Scott highlight practical opportunities for AI adoption, encouraging leaders to move beyond fear, fatigue, and FOMO through experimentation and curiosity. They discuss emerging AI models, personalized AI assistants, knowledge-management tools, and automation that can free people to focus on creativity and relationships.     HIGHLIGHTS [01:30] AI's Moral Imperative and Nonprofit Sector Challenges  [04:23] Pope's Encyclical on AI and Its Implications  [10:18] Nonprofit Sector's Preparedness for AI Disruption  [20:44] Practical AI Adoption and Overcoming Challenges  [25:51] New AI Models and Their Capabilities  [31:56] AI Tools and Personalized AI   [38:00] AI's Impact on Society and Ethical Considerations  Connect with Nathan and Scott:  LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/  LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans  Website: fundraising.ai/  Obsidian: Obsidian.md/

    Pope, AI, and the Generosity Crisis Talk
  6. May 13

    AI’s Role in Mission-Driven Education with Rafeel Wasif

    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 future rooted in human dignity and innovation by balancing optimism with healthy skepticism and anchoring choices in personal and organizational values.    In this episode of the Fundraising AI podcast, Nathan is joined by Rafeel Wasif, director of the Nonprofit Institute and Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Portland State University. His work is a combination of research, practice, and leadership development in the nonprofit and public sectors. Other than focusing on responsible AI adoption, he is guiding leaders to understand not only what emerging technologies are capable of, but also how they can be governed effectively. He joined Nathan to explore the evolving relationship between AI and the nonprofit sector.  HIGHLIGHTS    [03:12] The Nonprofit sector and its evolution in approaching AI.   [06:52] Introduction and background to Rafeel Wasif.   [11:33] Rafeel’s purpose in writing his new book.   [18:06] AI as a research partner.  [20:41] The growing trend in academia in structured nonprofit leadership education.  [23:48] Ethical adoption, transparency, and grounding AI use in human values.  [28:50] Knowing and articulating your values before AI adoption.  [33:18] Staying curious, balancing optimism with healthy skepticism, and being mindful when bringing humanity into every tech decision.  RESOURCES    Rafeel Wasif  pdx.edu/profile/rafeel-wasif     Website - rafeelwasif.com/    LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/rafeel-wasif-ph-d-b617a54b/

    AI’s Role in Mission-Driven Education with Rafeel Wasif
  7. Apr 29

    From Predictive Models to AI Coaches: A New Era for Nonprofits with Ben Miller & Tanuja Korlepra

    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 meaningful impact.  The conversation introduces Bonterra as a mission-driven company that supports nonprofits through fundraising tools, donor engagement, and campaign management. Ben reflects on the early days of AI in fundraising, when predictive models faced skepticism, and contrasts that with today's rapid adoption following breakthroughs such as ChatGPT.  Tanuja and Ben discuss key AI concepts -predictive, generative, and agentic- and highlight Bonterra's innovation, "Bonterra Que," an intelligent AI coach designed to help nonprofits improve fundraising outcomes. They also address the challenges of AI adoption, encouraging organizations to focus on practical use cases rather than hype.  The episode closes with a strong emphasis on ethical AI, trust, and the shift toward outcome-driven solutions that empower nonprofits to achieve real-world impact more effectively.  HIGHLIGHTS [03:37] Overview of Bonterra and Its Mission   [06:40] Evolution of AI in Nonprofit Sector   [10:34] Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption   [15:09] Understanding Predictive, Generative, and Agentic AI   [20:54] Development and Impact of Bonterra Que   [30:01] Feedback and Success Stories from Bonterra Que Users   [33:27] Outcomes as a Service in Fundraising   [39:22] Responsible and Ethical Use of AI   Resources:  Connect with Ben and Tanuja:  LinkedIn (Ben): linkedin.com/in/ben-miller  Email (Ben): ben.miller@bonterratech.com    LinkedIn (Tanuja): linkedin.com/in/tanuja-korlepra  Email (Tanuja): tanuja.korlepra@bonterratech.com

    From Predictive Models to AI Coaches: A New Era for Nonprofits with Ben Miller & Tanuja Korlepra
  8. Apr 22

    The AI Safety Episode

    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 innovation and amplify risks from misuse, cyberattacks, or unintended societal impacts. The responsibility rests on the shoulders of those who witness these developments at present to establish guardrails, foster collaboration, and use them with transparency and accountability.    In this episode of the Fundraising AI podcast, Nathan and Scott bring awareness to AI safety, where they share opinions on setting boundaries, staying informed, and using AI transparently to align with personal values. Join with them and understand how AI is capable of creating both incredible opportunities and serious risks if not managed with caution.      HIGHLIGHTS    [02:05] The Rise of the World Model - The beginning of a phase where AI can predict and simulate reality itself.   [07:21] The Biggest Signal - Paying attention to companies who accelerate AI releases and hold back its capabilities.  [12:47] Tool Dependency - The risk of building a strategy around a single platform.  [18:25] Adaptive Security - Preparing the systems and organizations when things go wrong with AI.  [23:33] Risk & Responsibilities - Deciding how to use AI, where to draw the line, and who to build with.  [30:02] ChatGPT Voice Mode - Nathan encourages listeners to use ChatGPT's voice mode to have long, detailed conversations about complex topics.  [33:40] Prompt Hack - Scott shares a prompt hack that will help listeners to be transparent and structured with AI and get the best results.   RESOURCES    Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age: Ideas to Keep People First  Project Glasswing  ChatGPT Prompt Hack by Kyle Behrend  Connect with Nathan and Scott:  LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠  LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠  Website: ⁠fundraising.ai/⁠

    The AI Safety Episode

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

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 industry experts and thought leaders, where we uncover: Latest Trends in AI Development: Updates on advancements in AI technologies and their applied application to the global fundraising sector. Transparent Fundraising Strategies: Using AI beneficially to build trust and accountability in donor relationships. AI for Social Impact: Harnessing AI technologies to drive meaningful change and amplify impact. Data Privacy and Security: Safeguarding donor information in an increasingly digital world. Beneficial and Responsible AI Development: Crafting algorithms that prioritize fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. Collaborative Initiatives: Exploring partnerships that promote responsible AI adoption and innovation. Whether you’re a nonprofit professional, fundraiser, or technology enthusiast, Fundraising.AI equips you with actionable insights and best practices to navigate the evolving landscape of fundraising and AI. Join us on this journey towards creating a more generous future for all.

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