Fundraising.AI

The Framework

Fundraising.AI

Episode 11

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Episode 11: Breaking Barriers: Shawn Olds on Fundraising Innovation and AI Empowerment

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OVERVIEW

Don’t miss out on this episode bursting with insights, game-changing AI strategies for nonprofits, and more! Tune in to a conversation packed with wisdom and actionable advice from one of the trailblazers in fundraising innovation, Shawn Olds. 

Shawn Olds, CEO of boodleAI, drives innovation in nonprofit engagement through machine learning. With over two decades of experience, he leads the forefront in connecting nonprofits with donors. Shawn’s leadership propels boodleAI as the premier peer-to-peer platform, revolutionizing how nonprofits identify and engage supporters and fostering impactful relationships. 

In today’s conversation, Shawn takes us on a journey through his remarkable career, from his childhood adventures to his groundbreaking work in AI technology. Also, as Shawn delves into his professional journey, he provides fascinating insights into the evolution of technology and its impact on the nonprofit sector. From the skepticism surrounding the internet in the late ’90s to the transformative potential of AI today, Shawn discusses the challenges and opportunities that arise from embracing innovation. 

With a keen focus on AI adoption, Shawn explores the hurdles nonprofits and businesses face. He underscores the importance of setting realistic expectations and overcoming the fear of technology. Shawn explains how BoodleBox is leading the charge in democratizing AI, empowering teams to collaborate seamlessly and unlock new possibilities in fundraising and beyond. 

Furthermore, he shares valuable insights into the practical applications of generative AI, from content generation and translation to role-playing scenarios for major gift officers. Shawn’s vision for a collaborative AI ecosystem offers a glimpse into the future of fundraising, where organizations can share best practices and leverage cutting-edge technology to drive impact. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

  • [02:37 Shawn's Journey
  • [06:33] AI Hype and Adoption in The Nonprofit Sector
  • [10:32] Overcoming Adoption Barriers and Setting Realistic Expectations
  • [16:31] Collaborative AI: Empowering Teams to Work Together Seamlessly
  • [20:57] Vision Behind BoodleBox and the Rise of Generative AI Ecosystems
  • [22:49] Power of AI for Nonprofits: Transformative Applications Beyond Content Generation
  • [25:46] Explore the Future of AI with BoodleBox: Get Started with the Free Demo!

TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY

  • Use AI tools to create content across various channels.
  • Consider AI for quick and accurate translation services.
  • Use AI bots to simulate interactions for major gift officers.
  • Explore platforms like BoodleBox to empower teams with intuitive AI tools for collaboration.
  • Understand the learning curve and set realistic goals for AI adoption.
  • Encourage a mindset of experimentation and adaptation to new technologies.
  • Identify areas where AI can streamline operations and optimize workflow efficiency.
  • Use AI insights to personalize donor engagement and communication strategies.
  • Utilize AI analytics to measure the impact of fundraising efforts and refine strategies for greater effectiveness.
  • Take advantage of freemium versions of AI platforms for testing and exploration.

FAVORITE QUOTES

  • "Nonprofits and commercial entities are not that different in adoption. When they do use it, everybody jumps on initially for content generation." - Shawn Olds
  • "Generative AI will be one of those tools that can be shared among each other because it does not give one or the other a competitive advantage." - Shawn Olds
  • "Generative AI makes it much more intuitive. BoodleBox incorporates an AI helper so that it can truly be non-prompt engineering." - Shawn Olds
  • "We are talking about how teams can collaborate with generative AI. Right now, with most platforms, it's one console. And there are people who have multiple subscriptions." - Shawn Olds
  • "I remember sitting on a nonprofit board in the late '90s. People on the board were convinced that this whole internet thing was just a fad." - Shawn Olds
  • "We can leverage AI for everything it's worth, but then put the left and right guardrails in place." - Shawn Olds
  • "When we sit down with teams, what we tell them is when you're bringing generative AI into your organization, think of it like you just hired one of the best top-tier graduate students that were out there. " - Shawn Olds
  • "Here's the neat thing about Gen AI versus traditional AI in nonprofits. Now, that same application or a variant of it can be used elsewhere in the nonprofit space." - Shawn Olds
  • "The majority of organizations we spoke to before the launch of generative AI had one question: where's my data going? How are you using my data?" - Shawn Olds
  • "People can engage in AI helper like they would a colleague and have the colleague ask them questions."- Shawn Olds

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MEET YOUR HOSTS

Nathan Chappell

As a thought leader, public speaker, author and inventor, Nathan is one of the world’s foremost experts on the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and philanthropy. Nathan serves as Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI, where he leads AI deployments for some of the nation’s largest nonprofit organizations. Nathan’s subject matter expertise has been featured in several publications, including Fast Company, University of Notre Dame and the Association of Healthcare Philanthropy. In 2021, Nathan founded Fundraising.Ai as a member-centric collaboration of nonprofit professionals with a focus on data ethics, data equality, privacy and security, sustainability. Nathan presented the first TEDx on the topic of artificial intelligence and the future of generosity in 2018. Nathan is a member of the Forbes Technology Council and holds a Masters in Nonprofit Administration from University of Notre Dame, an MBA from University of Redlands, a certificate in International Economics from University of Cambridge and a certificate in Artificial Intelligence from MIT.

Scott Rosenkrans

Scott Rosenkrans is the Assistant Vice President of DonorSearch Ai and has been with the organization for three years. He began his journey in the nonprofit sector twelve years ago as a prospect researcher. He quickly became fascinated with data as he noticed the organization that he previously worked for was amassing a wealth of information but was unsure how to efficiently use the data and resources to its full potential. This led him to become interested in predictive modeling and data analytics. During this time, he began to create an immense commitment to delivering tailor-made machine learning models to nonprofits.

The thing that Scott loves most about working for DonorSearch is the ability to prioritize what is best for the client and nonprofit sector above all else. He believes that growth is our most important core value because the DSAi team continuously evolves and brings a unique perspective that provides value to our clients. He stays ahead of industry trends because of his insatiable drive to constantly try out new things.

Favorite nonprofit: Shriner’s Children Hospital because of their extreme commitment to providing exceptional medical care, while also alleviating the financial burdens on families.