FundraisingAI

What if AI has the ability not only to make your organization faster but also to make it fundamentally different?   AI adoption is surpassing tools and individual workflows, leading into organizational redesign, governance, and the future of work. Starting from building trust with staff and balancing AI readiness with ethical parameters to integrating specialized AI agents, the sole focus is on practical transformation. This episode explores what happens when advancement teams simply move beyond augmenting existing processes.     Today we’re joined by Joe Manok, Vice President for University Advancement at Clark University, author of ‘Becoming AI Ready,’ and a leader in AI-driven advancement and organizational transformation. When a fundraiser encouraged him to pursue higher education and introduced him to the world of philanthropy, he was working in Beirut, Lebanon. Joe held fundraising roles in New York and at MIT before joining Clark after studying computer science and working in advancement at the American University of Beirut. At present he explores how AI can transform the way organizations work, fundraise, and serve their communities.    HIGHLIGHTS    [02:10] Introduction and background to Joe Manok[07:27] Rethinking traditional advancement models rather than optimizing them[10:43] The balance between readiness and restraint[17:21] Change management and trust[21:18] Using AI to redesign the organization and give productivity gains back to employees[27:28] The responsibility for judgment, relationships, and governance[35:08] The results of AI-enabled capacity, organizational redesign, new talent, persistence, and a broader institutional strategy[39:48] From implementing AI internally to sharing and institutionalizing what has been learned[44:06] Experimentation, failure, iteration, and the willingness to examine unsuccessful initiatives[46:14] The importance of human judgment and oversight in high-stakes AI use cases like compliance RESOURCES    Becoming AI-Ready: Designing Future Nonprofit Teams  by Joe Manok  amazon.com/Becoming-AI-Ready-Designing-Future-Nonprofit/dp/B0H1NBYVCY/     Connect with Joe  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/joemanok/ 

Imagine a world where one person and a cluster of algorithms run a billion-dollar charity. It sounds like science fiction, but as AI reshapes philanthropy, this hyper-efficient reality may be closer than we think.  Meena Das, an expert in nonprofit data ethics and human-centered technology, grounds this radical vision in human reality. Drawing on her extensive work helping organizations navigate data, diversity, and governance, she challenges the sector to look beyond mere technical capability and ask deeper questions about power dynamics, accountability, and equity.  Today's conversation explores whether reallocating fundraising overhead to frontline care could solve global crises, or if reliance on automated efficiency risks eroding trust and democratic philanthropy. While a one-person machine could raise billions, Nathan and Meena emphasize that money alone cannot dismantle systemic issues without strong governance, human connection, and community-led oversight. Finally, Meena stresses that the nonprofit sector must proactively claim its seat at the tech policy table to ensure technology serves humanity rather than replacing it.  HIGHLIGHTS [03:58] The Billion-Dollar Nonprofit Thought Experiment[04:59] Technical Possibility vs. Moral Responsibility[11:57] Success, Accountability, and the Generosity Crisis[14:58] The Moral Responsibility to Solve Problems[22:23] Is a Billion-Dollar Nonprofit Inevitable?[27:00] Nonprofit Sector Agency and Responsible Governance Resources:  Connect with Meena:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/meenadas/  Website: namastedata.org/ the AI Equity project 2026: https://www.namastedata.org/ai-equity-project-2026

As AI changes the way nonprofits connect with donors, the big question is: can technology make fundraising more personal, not less?  Derric Bakker, CEO at DickersonBakker, explores how fundraising has moved from personal, relationship-based work to more transactional communication. He shares how AI can help nonprofits bring personalized donor experiences to more people, not just major donors.  The discussion covers key ideas such as listening to donors, personalizing messages, showing genuine thanks, building trust, respecting donor timing, and focusing on long-term relationships.   Derric also highlights the importance of using AI responsibly. Nonprofits should be honest when AI is involved and should never use technology to trick or pressure donors. Trust is at the heart of successful fundraising, and once it is lost, it can be difficult to rebuild.   The conversation also looks at how nonprofits can use AI to scale personal communication while keeping the human side of fundraising strong.   Overall, the message is simple: use AI to strengthen relationships, not replace them. The future of fundraising should combine smart technology with genuine human connection.  HIGHLIGHST   [02:00] Derric's Professional Journey   [06:07] The Shift Toward Transactional Fundraising  [10:37] Genesis of A Better Way to Fundraise   [16:46] Core Principles of Relationship Fundraising  [21:17] AI Ethics and Maintaining Donor Trust   [35:19] The Future Outlook for Fundraising  Resources:  Connect with Derric:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/derricbakker/  Website: betterwaychampions.org/  Website: dickersonbakker.com/  Mentioned in the episode:  A Better Way to Fundraise - Treat Every Donor Like a Major Donor: How AI is Enabling Major Giving at Scale - And Reshaping the Future of Philanthropy: amazon.com/Better-Way-Fundraise-Reshaping-Philanthropy    Better Way Champions — Resources and a growing community of nonprofit leaders working to rethink the future of fundraising: BetterWayChampions.org    Better Way Champions on Substack — Derric's latest writing on fundraising, philanthropy, AI, and the changes reshaping our sector: https://betterwaychampions.substack.com/subscribe 

Today, let's explore how good data, clear goals, and trust are the real keys to getting value from AI.  Meet Daniel Basco, Senior Director, iWave & Data Intelligence at Kindsight.  Starting the conversation, Daniel shares his career journey from public policy and economics to data science and fundraising. He talks about his work with governments, nonprofits, and now Kindsight, where he leads data science and AI product development.   The conversation explores how AI and machine learning have improved over the years, making it easier to test ideas and work faster. Daniel explains why organizations need clean, reliable data and why it is important to understand how AI reaches its conclusions. He also discusses the need to reduce bias and use AI ethically.   Furthermore, Daniel talks about the benefits of combining different data sources to improve results and how AI can help nonprofits make better decisions and improve daily work. He discusses the importance of teamwork, experimenting with new ideas, and continuing to learn as AI evolves. He also shares how he uses Claude to communicate ideas more clearly, brainstorm faster, and save time in his daily work.   HIGHLIGHTS [01:47] Daniel's Career Journey   [07:12] Challenges and Evolution in AI and Machine Learning   [11:26] Data Utilization and Predictive AI in Nonprofit Sector  [18:17] Transparency and Trust in Nonprofit AI Models  [29:01] Future of AI in Nonprofit Sector   [35:23] Personal Reflections and Favorite AI Tools Resources:  2025 Donor Perceptions of AI Report: kindsight.io/resources/ebooks/2025-donor-perceptions-of-ai-report  Connect with Daniel:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniel-basco  Website: kindsight.io/ 

In a world where change is happening faster than ever, the biggest challenge is not just finding new tools; it is helping people feel ready to use them.  In today's episode, Nathan talks with Mallory Erickson, the creator of Practivated, the first fundraiser readiness platform. Mallory shares the story behind Practivated and explains that it was created to solve real problems in the fundraising sector, including fundraiser burnout, declining participation, and the need to better support professionals. She explains that her goal was not just to build a technology product, but to create a solution that helps people grow their skills and confidence.  Furthermore, Mallory discusses the challenges of AI adoption, including fear, resistance to change, and the difficulty leaders face when trying to introduce new ideas. She explains how Practivated helps people build AI confidence through role-play, coaching, and feedback. The conversation also explores why practice is important for turning knowledge into real action and why curiosity is more valuable than trying to have all the answers.   [04:05] Solving the Right Problem  [09:18] Balancing Realism and Awareness  [16:13] The Real Innovation Barrier  [22:27] Trust Before Technology  [29:04] Confidence Is Curiosity  [38:18] Practice as a Path to Progress  Connect with Mallory:  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mallory-erickson-bressler/  Website: malloryerickson.com  Website: practivated.com