Episode 01: Responsible and Beneficial AI for the Global Fundraising Community
Overview
Welcome to the thrilling premiere episode of the “Fundraising.AI Podcast,” where Nathan Chappell and Scott Rosenkrans embark on a nerdy and inspired exploration of the dynamic intersection between applied artificial intelligence and fundraising. In this episode, Nathan and Scott share their unique backgrounds, offering glimpses into their professional journeys – one from the world of technology entrepreneurship and the other from the nonprofit sector.
Nathan Chappell serves as a Senior Vice President at DonorSearch AI, spearheading AI implementations for numerous prominent nonprofit organizations in the United States. Also, with over a decade of expertise in nonprofit leadership and fundraising, he co-authored the acclaimed book, “The Generosity Crisis: The Case for Radical Connection to Solve Humanity’s Greatest Challenges.” Additionally, Nathan holds multiple AI patents, is a certified fundraising executive, and is dedicated to the conscientious application of AI for societal benefit, actively addressing the ethical considerations of AI in philanthropy.
Scott Rosenkrans, an Associate Vice President at DonorSearch AI, leads the data science team dedicated to assisting nonprofits in utilizing Artificial Intelligence and big data for actionable insights. With a profound knowledge of applying predictive Machine Learning models to philanthropy, he has collaborated with over 100 nationwide nonprofits to enhance their fundraising initiatives. Also, Scott is enthusiastic about leveraging AI to create a positive impact globally, earning recognition from Fast Company for his contributions through their annual World Changing Ideas awards.
During the conversation, Nathan and Scott candidly discuss their diverse paths that eventually converged into a shared passion for the responsible use of AI in fundraising. They delve into the birth of the “Fundraising.AI” movement and their brainchild, the “Fundraising.AI Podcast.” Furthermore, they express their hopes for this platform to serve as a catalyst for making Responsible and Beneficial AI synonymous with fundraising. Also, Nathan and Scott set the stage for a podcast dedicated to demystifying AI with a nod to industry leaders, governmental discussions on AI ethics, and a commitment to fostering trust.
Listeners can anticipate a weekly dose of nerdy discussions, where they share quirky analogies and practical insights into the world of AI. The podcast promises to be an educational, informative, and entertaining journey, offering a unique lens focused on Responsible and Beneficial AI and its implications for the fundraising sector.
Join Nathan and Scott as they navigate the landscape of AI, distilling complex concepts into actionable insights and shedding light on areas of focus within the realm of fundraising technology. Get ready for debates, authentic conversations, and a front-row seat to the evolving world of fundraising.AI. Welcome to the “Fundraising.AI Podcast,” your go-to destination for staying informed and engaged in the Responsible and Beneficial AI revolution!

Episode highlights
- 00:26 Launching into the AI Frontier: A Nerdy and Inspired Journey in Fundraising Technology
- 03:21 From Counseling Psychology to AI in Fundraising
- 06:40 A Tech Entrepreneur's Journey into Fundraising
- 10:16 The Evolution of Responsible and Beneficial AI in Fundraising
- 13:01 Building a Legacy: Making Responsible and Beneficial AI the Norm in the Fundraising Community
- 14:39 Demystifying AI: Responsible and Practical Applications in Fundraising
- 15:44 Nerdy Dialogues: Unveiling Responsible and Beneficial AI in Fundraising - Join the Journey with Nathan and Scott
Tips and tools to implement today
- Utilize predictive models to project fundraising outcomes and optimize strategies.
- Leverage data analytics tools to gain insights into donor behavior, preferences, and trends.
- Explore machine learning applications for understanding and predicting donor motivations.
- Implement Responsible and Beneficial AI frameworks to ensure ethical and transparent use of AI in fundraising.
- Consider platforms like fundraising.AI to connect with a community of professionals dedicated to Responsible and Beneficial AI in the nonprofit sector.
- Develop a habit of critically evaluating AI tools and technologies, considering both short-term benefits and long-term consequences.
- Regularly reflect on the ethical implications of AI applications, especially in a sector built on trust like fundraising.
- Foster collaboration with like-minded individuals who share a passion for leveraging technology to make a positive impact.
- Develop a critical lens to evaluate the intended and unintended consequences of AI applications in the context of societal impact.
- Keep yourself informed about the latest developments in AI, especially in fundraising, philanthropy, and generosity. Also, embrace continuous learning.
Favorite quotes
- "You have our commitment to bringing you the most up-to-date information about AI in fundraising, philanthropy, generosity, and our take on whether it's good or bad or indifferent to society." - Nathan Chappell
- "We're going to take this lens of evaluating the application of AI, advances in AI, and both kind of on the lens of intended and unintended consequences to humanity at large." -Nathan Chappell
- "We're probably the two nerdiest, most committed, inspired people that care deeply about the use of technology to make the world a better place." -Nathan Chappell
- "This podcast is the answer. So that you can watch your sports, jump on here for 20 minutes, learn, find out what you missed last week, and what you need to dive into." -Nathan Chappell
- "I'm so excited for the listeners that are going to come on this journey with us, as we highlight leaders in our industry and new technology in our industry." -Nathan Chappell
- "I fell in love with the whole field, being able to do something that makes an impact and helps others, and I was hooked immediately."- Scott Rosenkrans
- "Being able to put me in the shoes of a constituent or a donor or potential donor, and figure out what my motivation would be, and then how to translate that into how it will come through in the data that we could play around with our models" - Scott Rosenkrans
- "The only AI race that matters is the race for Responsible and Beneficial AI. So it is really like if you're doing AI and they are transparent, you aren't accountable, you aren't ethical then rather are intentionally doing it for nefarious reasons or you shouldn't be doing it." - Scott Rosenkrans
- "We promise it's going to be educational, informative, entertaining, and you get to listen to two nerds talk about nerdy stuff." - Scott Rosenkrans
- "What I'm hoping to get out of this or hoping this podcast brings people is just making, for lack of a better term or an overused term, demystifying AI. - Scott Rosenkrans


