Human-Centered Fundraising: Leveraging AI Without Being Artificial-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this comprehensive webinar, Kestrel Linder, of GiveCampus, explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in educational advancement and fundraising. She begins with a clear technical overview, defining three categories of AI: generative AI, which creates new content; predictive AI, which forecasts donor behaviors based on data patterns; and agentic AI, autonomous systems capable of acting in the real world. Emphasizing the sector's unique reliance on human relationships, Kestrel advocates for AI applications that elevate human roles rather than replace them.<br /><br />Kestrel shares practical examples of AI’s current impact in education fundraising: personalized online giving forms powered by predictive AI increase donation rates and gift sizes; AI-driven segmentation improves targeting for recurring gifts and leadership upgrades; Smart Send tools optimize email timing to enhance engagement; and AI supports frontline fundraisers by prioritizing outreach and generating meeting summaries. She highlights agentic AI systems like “Research Riley,” an AI agent that autonomously compiles detailed donor profiles, exemplifying AI’s expanding capabilities.<br /><br />Addressing audience concerns, Kestrel discusses data privacy, stressing the importance of zero data retention policies and avoiding sharing proprietary data with open AI platforms. She predicts AI won’t eliminate jobs outright but will shift roles toward higher-value activities, with effective AI users gaining competitive advantages. Despite slower adoption in education compared to other industries, she encourages embracing AI to overcome staffing challenges and amplify fundraising success, envisioning AI as a vital partner augmenting human creativity and judgment in philanthropy.

Keywords

Artificial Intelligence

AI in Education

Fundraising Technology

Generative AI

Predictive AI

Agentic AI

Personalized Giving

Data Privacy

AI-driven Segmentation

AI in Philanthropy