Let's have a thoughtful look at how purpose, strategy, and technology can come together to create meaningful global change! 

Dr. Douglas Jackson, CEO of Project C.U.R.E., talks about the journey of the organization, which began in a small garage in 1987 and has grown into a global charity. He shares that in the early days, they used simple spreadsheets to manage their work, but later moved to Microsoft tools to improve their systems and communication. 

Doug highlights how strategic partnerships and technology adoption improved efficiency, enabling Project C.U.R.E. to deliver hundreds of medical shipments globally each year. He emphasizes treating nonprofits like businesses, focusing on sustainability, accountability, and maximizing the value of volunteer contributions. 

The discussion also explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in the nonprofit sector. From improving data accuracy to enabling localized medical training, AI is helping organizations scale their impact. Doug notes that responsible use of AI can create new opportunities, especially for smaller nonprofits with limited resources. 

The conversation concludes with practical advice: approach nonprofits like startups, seek expert guidance, and embrace innovation.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[02:29] Doug's Background and Project C.U.R.E.'s Journey  

[12:59] Business Model and Efficiency  

[17:23] A 35-Year-Old Startup in a Changing World 

[20:16] Turning Data into Better Decisions 

[28:28] Innovation and AI in Nonprofit Operations  

[40:14] Advice for Small Nonprofits  

Connect with Doug: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-douglas-jackson/ 

Website: projectcure.org/ 

What does it really take to blend human connection with rapidly evolving AI tools? How do you stay grounded when technology is constantly pushing you to do more, faster? 

 In this conversation, Nathan and Scott explore these questions while celebrating a major milestone in their podcast journey, reaching 30,000 downloads and 80 episodes. 

The discussion explores the transformative impact of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Perplexity, highlighting how these technologies are reshaping workflows, boosting efficiency, and prompting new ways of thinking. Through personal stories, Nathan and Scott emphasize the importance of experimentation and continuous learning to fully unlock AI's potential. 

At the same time, they address the risks of overuse, stressing the need for clear boundaries to prevent burnout. The conversation also explores how AI can revolutionize nonprofit fundraising by scaling personalization while preserving authenticity and human connection. Ultimately, Nathan and Scott encourage nonprofits to adopt a bold, innovative mindset, leveraging AI not just to work faster, but to create meaningful, lasting impact. 

[00:26] Celebrating Podcast Milestones  

[01:34] Impact of AI Tools: CoPilot and ChatGPT  

[08:35] Personal Experiences with AI Tools  

[11:35] Balancing AI Use with Personal Boundaries  

[28:55] The Future of AI in Nonprofit Work  

Resources: 

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/ 

LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans 

Website: fundraising.ai/ 

In this episode, Nathan and Scott explore the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, politics, and organizational values.  

The conversation begins with the Pentagon's request to use Anthropic's AI model without certain safeguards, a request the company declined. This decision sparks a discussion of the political pressure on AI companies, including potential government responses and the broader implications of corporate independence. Nathan and Scott also examine how other companies responded to the situation, highlighting the fast-moving and sometimes contradictory dynamics within the AI industry. 

Beyond the immediate controversy, Nathan and Scott reflect on the deeper role that values play in decision-making. They discuss how both nonprofit and for-profit organizations must establish clear guardrails to avoid ethical compromises. 

The discussion then shifts to practical experiences with AI tools, including evolving platform preferences and growing concerns about data transparency. Nathan and Scott introduce concepts such as model routing and personalized AI workflows, emphasizing the importance of experimentation with emerging technologies. 

Finally, they talk about how AI is changing jobs and careers. They encourage people to explore AI tools, keep learning, and stay curious so they can remain useful in an increasingly AI-driven world. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:31] Pentagon vs. Anthropic: AI's Political Impact  

[06:37] Values and Organizational Decision-Making  

[16:22] AI Tools and User Shifts  

[23:56] Model Routing and Personalization  

[37:43] Future-Proofing Careers with AI 

Resources: 

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/ 

LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans 

Website: fundraising.ai/ 

This week on FundraisingAI, Scott sits down with Paul Goldstein, Head of AI Growth at Blackbaud, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the non-profit sector. Paul reflects on his journey from leading tech roles at Amazon and Glassdoor to joining Blackbaud, a mission-driven organization focused on impact and responsibility. He shares what inspired the move and highlights the passion, thoughtfulness, and deep commitment to privacy he has encountered in the non-profit world. 

The discussion dives into Blackbaud's "Intelligence for Good" strategy, an approach centered on building AI tools that are responsible, convenient, and genuinely helpful for non-profits. Paul explains the concept of agentic AI and how it goes beyond advice to actively help organizations accomplish tasks, from data cleanup to personalized outreach. Together, Scott and Paul examine the importance of trust, strong data foundations, and user-friendly design in driving AI adoption. 

Paul also shares personal insights on using AI to enhance productivity and encourages listeners to remain curious and open to experimentation. The episode closes with an optimistic look at how ethical, collaborative AI innovation can empower non-profits to strengthen relationships, increase efficiency, and amplify their mission-driven impact. 

HIGHLIGHTS

[01:37] Paul's Transition to Blackbaud 

[05:39] Blackbaud's Intelligence for Good Strategy  

[10:52] Agentic AI and Its Impact on Non-profits  

[24:22] Adoption and Future of AI in Non-profits  

[28:13] Paul's Personal Experience with AI  

[30:38] Blackbaud's Support for Fundraising AI  

[31:34] Final Thoughts 

Connect with Paul: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/paul-goldstein/ 

Website: blackbaud.com/ 

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

The future belongs to those who are willing to see past what worked before and design for what comes next. With intelligence becoming abundant, organizations are forced to face a new challenge: turning powerful tools into meaningful, ethical impact. Responsible AI use has come to depend more on culture, operations, and leadership mindset than on technology. In order for this to work, curiosity must be expected, experimentation must be safe, and systems must translate insight into action. With a combination of people, processes, and purpose, AI becomes a force multiplier rather than a checkbox. Those who are willing to rethink talent, reward better questions, and build operational guardrails that allow innovation without chaos have the real advantage of becoming successful in AI implementation.  

Join Nathan and Scott on this live conversation to discover why AI is a cultural shift, not a technology purchase, the reasons for organizations to be successful in AI implementation when they prioritize psychological safety and learning, build systems to support action, and only invest in tools, how adaptability can be an advantage when intelligence has become a commodity, how learning scales through transparency and safe failure builds confidence and accelerates responsible adoption across an organization, and also the importance of addressing AI fatigue through manageable experimentation and visible learning.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

 [00.55] The origin story and initial success of Fundraising.ai.  

[03.46] The challenges of AI adoption in nonprofits. 

[07.10] The importance of using AI as a thought partner.  

[11.00] Cultural readiness, operational structure, and technical solutions. 

[15.38] Cultural & talent adaptation in the AI era.  

[18.44] Building a culture of curiosity that rewards experimentation, questioning, and learning. 

[25.26] The need for acceptable use policies to ensure safe and effective AI adoption. 

[32.02] Highlighting iteration, mistakes, and learning. 

[36.23] The importance of addressing AI fatigue. 

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

The future we’ve imagined is arriving at a pace we never expected. And AI is leading the charge with the ability to code, plan autonomously, and act independently. Showing the gaps in ethics, privacy, and long-term accountability, these technologies amplify both human potential and risk. The stakes range from sensitive data collection to the responsibility of choosing when to use or refuse. It is essential that organizations, leaders, and individuals understand how speed, incentives, and values can shape a future where AI mirrors both our intelligence and our humanity. 

In this week’s episode, Nathan and Scott bring you the latest developments in the field of artificial intelligence and the growing concerns regarding its rapidly advancing technologies. They start the conversation by discussing the release of Claude Cowork by Anthropic, which is a multi-step agentic AI, showing us how fast things are moving. Then Nathan and Scott exchange thoughts on the importance of AI regulations and the need for having a global kill switch for all the AI around the world in the wake of superintelligence. Further down in the conversation, they explore the topics of what you should be concerned with regarding the acceleration of AI, data privacy and social media, the future of humanity and the role of AI in it, and at last the delicate balance between using AI and maintaining trust in the nonprofit sector.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[02.32] The creation of Claude Bot.  

[04.00] Claude Cowork - A multi-step work AI agent designed by Anthropic. 

[07.52] The importance of AI regulation.  

[10.40] The global kill-switch.  

[13.38] The absence of a second chance.  

[20.20] AI acceleration and what to look out for.  

[26.47] Tiktok ownership change in the USA and data privacy.  

[31.34] The future of humanity and AI.  

[33.53] AI, nonprofit, and trust.  

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

This conversation explores the growing influence of artificial intelligence on humanity, work, and relationships, framed through reflections on the World Economic Forum in Davos. Nathan and Scott discuss how AI has overtaken environmental issues as the dominant theme, while also questioning the irony of elite climate discussions driven by private travel. They examine how rapidly AI is reshaping daily life and challenge listeners to think beyond the present, including the implications of a near future marked by ideas such as "AI 2027" and the path toward artificial general intelligence. 

The discussion turns to philanthropy and nonprofits, where AI can improve efficiency but cannot replace human generosity, judgment, or relationships. Nathan and Scott emphasize ethical oversight, critical thinking, and responsible use of donor resources. They also address AI's impact on jobs, youth, and relationships, warning against over-reliance on relational AI. The conversation concludes with a call for curiosity, adaptability, and thoughtful leadership in an AI-driven world! 

HIGHLIGHTS

[02:24] Davos and the Impact of AI on Humanity  

[08:30] The Role of Donors and AI in Philanthropy 

[14:18] The Evolution of AI and Its Impact on Jobs  

[19:38] Practical Considerations of AI  

[30:59] The Impact of AI on Youth and Relationships  

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠⁠ 

This conversation features a thoughtful discussion between Nathan and Kelley Hecht on how nonprofits can use AI in practical, responsible ways. 

Nathan introduces Kelley and highlights her work at AWS, where she helps nonprofit organizations adopt cloud technology and AI with a strong focus on data, security, and ethics. Kelley shares her journey into AI, explaining how early confusion helped her understand the gap between hype and reality. Together, they explore common misperceptions about AI, stressing that it is not about tools alone, but about clear goals, good data, and strong decision-making.  

The conversation emphasizes data as a strategic asset and introduces Amazon's "working backwards" approach to solving problems. Nathan and Kelley also discuss challenges faced by both small and large nonprofits, the importance of leadership support, and the role of culture in AI adoption. They conclude by reinforcing that AI should strengthen human connection, not replace it. 

HIGHLIGHTS 

[02:22] Kelley's Role and Contributions to Nonprofit AI 

[07:04] Challenges and Misperceptions in AI Adoption  

[12:11] AI's Role in Nonprofit Ecosystems  

[15:00] Data Strategy and AI Integration  

[20:52] Working Backwards: Starting With the Why 

[24:16] Moving Beyond "AI as the Answer" 

[32:59] Data as the Lifeblood of the Organization 

[41:45] Future of AI in Nonprofit Sector  

Connect with Kelley: 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kelleyhecht 

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠⁠ 

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠⁠ 

Website: ⁠⁠fundraising.ai/⁠⁠ 

The rapid development of AI technologies is changing the rules of productivity, creativity, and success in ways that are a marvel in comparison to before. Nonprofits now have the tools closer by to accelerate workflows, generate insights, and unlock new possibilities, but the challenge is defining what success looks like in this fast-growing landscape. Leaders must rethink priorities, protect time for strategic thinking, and harness AI to amplify mission impact rather than just speed when linear benchmarks, incremental growth, and traditional measures of output are no longer enough. Join Nathan and Scott in this new year’s episode and learn how organizations can thrive by pairing technology with imagination, intention, and cross-team collaboration. 

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 

[00:57] The end of 2025 and looking ahead to 2026.  

[02:46] The challenge of defining success in a rapidly changing world.  

[08:30] AI’s potential for increased output and the risk of burnout. 

[12:52] Curiosity, intentionality, and the ability to apply passion with direction. 

[16:00] Redefining success as adaptability, alignment, and intentional choice. 

[20:30] Lack of imagination in the nonprofit sector.  

]21:51] The future of AI and its implications for nonprofits. 

[27:45] Turning AI from a tool into a strategic advantage. 

[29:09] Predictions for AI in 2026. 

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): ⁠linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/⁠ 

LinkedIn (Scott): ⁠linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans⁠ 

Website: ⁠fundraising.ai/⁠ 

AI is a dichotomy of infinite possibility and infinite doom. It challenges humans to reclaim agency in an era strongly shaped by technology. From reshaping creative industries to redefining authenticity, AI is more than just a tool but a mirror of decision-making, curiosity, and restraint. Join Nathan and Scott in their conversation on how leaders, creators, and organizations can navigate cognitive dissonance, acknowledge AI as a thinking partner, not a task executor, and focus on human-centered action amid rapid technological development.  

HIGHLIGHTS 

[02.27] The importance of understanding one’s values in the age of AI.  

[05.34] Infinite possibility and infinite doom.  

[13.08] Task-executor vs. cognitive partner.  

[20.00] Common objections to AI and resistance to change. 

[27.19] The Future of AI: Predictions for 2026.  

[36.12] Predictive vs. generative AI.  

[36.52] Australia: The first country to outlaw AI or social media for teenagers.  

[39.25] The value of social media platforms.  

[43.10] Quantum computing and AI development. 

[47.51] The potential for AI to enhance and transform creative processes. 

RESOURCES 

Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban 

reuters.com/legal/litigation/australia-social-media-ban-takes-effect-world-first-2025-12-09/  

GPT-5.2 Release 

linkedin.com/posts/openai_gpt-52-is-now-rolling-out-to-everyone-this-activity-7404948016161488898-uz_2/  

Disney strikes $1B deal with OpenAI 

linkedin.com/news/story/disney-strikes-1b-deal-with-openai-8080826/  

Connect with Nathan and Scott: 

LinkedIn (Nathan): linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/ 

LinkedIn (Scott): linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans 

Website: fundraising.ai/