AI and Nonprofits: What’s Hype, What’s Real, and What Should You Do About It with Mallory Erickson

WHAT THE FUNDRAISING

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AI and Nonprofits: What’s Hype, What’s Real, and What Should You Do About It with Mallory Erickson

This episode is sponsored by:

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“If you have a lot of hope around the way in which AI could support your fundraising, your motivation is likely going to be higher, which is going to allow you to try and test and look for a number of different AI solutions, not necessarily just the easiest one to implement and use right away.”

– Mallory Erickson
Episode #151

Overview

In this episode of What the Fundraising Podcast…

In this episode, Mallory explores the convergence of AI and fundraising, discusses the upcoming fundraising AI global summit held on October 23rd and 24th, and addresses common inquiries to clarify AI’s role in nonprofit fundraising. Furthermore, she offers perspectives on the ethical use of AI and how it aligns with improving the well-being of fundraisers by reducing stress and increasing empowerment.

Starting the episode, Mallory describes her unanticipated journey into AI fundraising, which began with a chance encounter at AFP ICON in New Orleans. There, she noticed a demand for a more practical approach to implementing AI in nonprofit organizations. This initial observation eventually inspired her to develop a responsible AI framework and orchestrate an innovative summit to advance AI’s responsible and ethical utilization in fundraising. Also, Mallory explores her motivations for deeply engaging in fundraising AI despite not being a technologist. She emphasizes the need for a brand-agnostic, collaborative approach in the nonprofit sector to responsibly harness AI’s potential while safeguarding against its risks. Her work centers on improving fundraisers’ lives by addressing overwhelm, enabling them to navigate the evolving AI landscape, and ensuring that technology is an empowering tool rather than an additional burden.

Mallory shares about the first-ever fundraising AI global summit. This summit promises to be a transformative experience, featuring technology experts, one-on-one content, and comprehensive discussions on AI in fundraising. Whether you’re new to AI or a seasoned expert, this summit is a must-attend event to unlock the full potential of AI in your fundraising efforts.

So, mark your calendars and prepare to embark on a journey towards responsible AI usage, empowerment, and fundraising success. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this groundbreaking summit—your path to becoming an emboldened and enabled fundraiser starts here!

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

RAISE MORE FROM THE RIGHT FUNDERS

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Mallory Erickson

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

2023 Fundraising.AI Virtual Global Summit: fundraising.ai/summit
Fundriasing AI: fundraising.ai
Many thanks to our sponsor, iWave for making this episode possible. Our friends at iWave help nonprofits identify, qualify, and retain donors to raise more major gifts. Using their comprehensive software, iWave gives you access to the industry’s highest quality wealth and philanthropic information so you can determine who to ask, how much to ask for, and when to ask. To get a demo and learn more, check out iWave.
If you haven’t already, please visit our new What the Fundraising community forum. Check it out and join the conversation at this link.
If you’re looking to raise more from the right funders, then you’ll want to check out my Power Partners Formula, a step-by-step approach to identifying the optimal partners for your organization. This free masterclass offers a great starting point

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TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY

Start by learning about AI and its applications in fundraising.
Familiarize yourself with the principles and guidelines for ethical AI implementation in fundraising.
Evaluate tools based on your organization's specific needs and pain points in fundraising.
Address any fears or resistance to AI technology.
Recognize the role of motivation and hope in technology adoption.
Avoid treating AI as a mere shiny object.
Connect with professionals in the nonprofit sector who have experience with AI and technology.
Focus on solving the underlying problems or challenges rather than adopting technology for its own sake.
Prioritize the technology or tools directly addressing your organization's needs.
Be proactive in seeking out technology solutions to address your identified challenges.

FAVORITE QUOTES

"What needs to be central to your decision-making is the problems you are experiencing." -Mallory Erickson
"The problem is not that you don't have AI, or the problem is not that you don't have technology. There's another problem: the purpose of having that technology or the purpose of having that AI." -Mallory Erickson
"Anytime a behavior isn't happening that you want to happen. Those are the three questions to ask yourself: was there a prompt? How can you make the action easier to do? And how can you increase motivation, drive hope up, decrease fear?" - Mallory Erickson
"AI can be treated like a shiny object, but I don't think it is one because the reality is that AI isn't one thing. It is a tool and technology that is integrated into a lot of other different types of tools." - Mallory Erickson
"AI holds the key to both being an enabler, but also leading to a tremendous amount of overwhelming burnout and problems." - Mallory Erickson
"I don't ever want you to buy or pursue a technology because you think you "should" or because all of the marketing out there has told you that you are not a good enough fundraiser without it." -Mallory Erickson
"Buying or pursuing technology starts from the place and position of the challenges you are experiencing." - Mallory Erickson
"Even with the AI boom, it's crucial to remember that some tools can make our lives easier, but confusion and high expectations can trigger overwhelm and paralysis." - Mallory Erickson
"AI has vast potential for fundraising, but its success depends on navigating the intersection between overwhelm and enablement." - Mallory Erickson
"Starting with your actual problem and pain point puts you on tech offense instead of tech defense." - Mallory Erickson

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Episode 83: The People Behind the Products: Modernizing Your Fundraising in a Flexible Way with Funraise’s Justin Wheeler

Episode 14: The Truth About Executive Coaching and Exponential Living with Sheri Riley

Episode 33: How to Rewire the Neural Pathways in Your Brain to Raise More Money for Your Organization with Cindy Wagman

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I teach nonprofit fundraisers to bring in more gifts from the RIGHT donors… so they can stop hounding people for money. Fundraising doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.

MALLORY ERICKSON

WHAT THE FUNDRAISING