The AI Dude

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch, MS is joined by Bryan Sim, PhD, Product Lead at Dataro. Bryan combines his background in psychology, data science, and product management to help nonprofits use predictive AI to maximize their impact. With over seven years of experience in B2B and B2C product development, Bryan shares his journey from consulting for Greenpeace Australia to scaling predictive AI solutions globally.

Bryan dives into the mechanics of predictive AI, explaining how nonprofits can leverage clean, consolidated data to forecast donor behavior, improve retention, and identify new opportunities for giving. He also explores the creative potential of qualitative data and shares insights into how Dataro helps organizations of all sizes achieve results.

Key Topics:

The distinction between generative AI and predictive AI.
How nonprofits can use predictive AI to identify major donors, increase recurring giving, and optimize campaigns.
The importance of clean and consolidated data for effective predictive modeling.
How nonprofits can creatively use the data they already have.
The threshold of data needed for predictive AI and how Dataro works with organizations of all sizes.
The future of predictive AI in the nonprofit sector, including data consolidation and improved modeling techniques.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Predictive AI with Bryan Sim
02:00 - Bryan's Journey to Leading Product at Dataro
04:00 - Understanding Predictive vs. Generative AI
07:00 - Predicting Donor Behavior with AI Models
09:00 - How Nonprofits Can Use Predictive AI for Fundraising
12:00 - The Importance of Clean, Creative Data Use
15:00 - Overcoming Data Limitations in Small Nonprofits
18:00 - Ethical and Creative Uses of AI in Nonprofit Fundraising
21:00 - The Future of Predictive AI and Dataro’s Vision
24:00 - Bryan's Favorite 1980s Movie and Final Reflections

Connect with Bryan Sim:
Website: bryan-sim.com

Connect with Josh Hirsch:
Website: theaidude.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshahirsch/

This episode is brought to you by:

Bloomerang: Helping nonprofits deepen donor relationships and maximize fundraising impact with intuitive donor management tools.
Fundraise Up: Revolutionizing online giving with AI-powered donation platforms designed to unlock more generosity.

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode to help nonprofits harness the power of AI for smarter strategies and greater results.

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, sponsored by Bloomerang and Fundraise Up, host Josh Hirsch, MS, kicks off an engaging conversation with Griff Bohm, co-founder and CRO of Momentum. Griff brings a unique perspective, blending his background in behavioral psychology, philanthropy, and financial decision-making with his expertise in AI-driven solutions for nonprofits.

Griff shares his fascinating journey—from brewing beer in Chilean Patagonia to leading successful capital campaigns—and dives into how Momentum is leveraging AI to create transformative tools for the nonprofit sector. The discussion explores everything from the psychology behind giving to the future of generative and predictive AI, offering actionable insights for nonprofit professionals navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.

Key Topics:

The psychology of giving: Why donors feel good about supporting causes.

How Momentum ties giving to everyday actions for enhanced donor engagement.

The rise of agent-level AI and its implications for nonprofits in 2025.

Predictive AI’s potential to revolutionize nonprofit workflows.

The need for assurance products in the AI ecosystem.

Griff’s vision for making AI accessible to nonprofits of all sizes.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to AI and Behavioral Psychology with Griff Boehm
02:11 - Griff’s Journey: From Behavioral Psychology to Philanthropy
04:29 - The Psychology of Giving: Why It Feels Good to Do Good
06:52 - How Momentum Connects Giving to Everyday Actions
09:10 - Embracing AI: The Evolution of Momentum’s Tools
11:33 - The Rise of Agent-Level AI in 2025
16:16 - Assurance Products: Guardrails for AI Implementation
20:57 - Predictive AI: Expanding Access for Nonprofits of All Sizes
25:17 - The Role of Smartphones in AI-Driven Assistance
26:02 - Griff’s Favorite 1980s Movie: Blade Runner

Connect with Griff Boehm:

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Josh Hirsch:

Website: TheAIDude.ai

LinkedIn: Josh Hirsch

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch, MS, is joined by Alice Ferris, CFRE, ACFRE founding partner of GoalBusters Consulting and a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 30 years of experience. Alice shares her journey from volunteering at PBS Wisconsin to becoming an expert in fundraising strategy, productivity, and AI integration for nonprofits.

Alice dives into how AI tools like Sunsama and Evernote have transformed her approach to productivity and task management. She also explores the ethical considerations of AI in the nonprofit sector and the stages of AI adoption, from personal use to organizational implementation. The conversation extends to her passion for public broadcasting, its role in fostering civil discourse, and how nonprofits can create lasting donor relationships using innovative strategies.

Key Topics:

The role of AI tools in enhancing productivity for nonprofit professionals.

How to build a tech stack for efficiency and effectiveness.

The ethical implications of AI and its impact on the nonprofit sector.

Leveraging AI to institutionalize organizational knowledge and values.

Public broadcasting as a space for shared culture and history.

Alice’s take on the future of AI in nonprofit innovation.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to Boosting Nonprofit Productivity with Alice Ferris

02:10 - Alice’s Journey: From PBS Volunteer to Fundraising Consultant

06:45 - The Role of AI Tools in Overcoming the Blank Page

09:00 - Building a Tech Stack for Productivity and Collaboration

15:50 - Ethical Considerations of AI in Fundraising

18:00 - The Stages of AI Adoption in Nonprofits

22:57 - Public Broadcasting: A Space for Civil Discourse and Connection

27:35 - The Power of Storytelling in Public Media Campaigns

29:08 - Alice’s Favorite 1980s Movie and Final Reflections

Connect with Alice Ferris:

Website: GoalBusters.net

LinkedIn: Alice Ferris

Connect with Josh Hirsch:

Website: TheAIDude.ai

LinkedIn: Josh Hirsch

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch, MS is joined by Sal Salpietro, Chief Community Officer at Fundraise Up and Board Secretary of Asia Wild. With a background in technology, digital marketing, and nonprofits, Sal discusses the power of AI in fundraising and donor engagement. From his experience as a digital fundraiser to his current role with Fundraise Up, Sal shares how nonprofits can use AI to enhance donor experiences and maximize impact.

Sal offers insights into how Fundraise Up has revolutionized nonprofit fundraising with frictionless technology, helping organizations increase donations and build lasting relationships with supporters. He also discusses how AI is used to personalize donor experiences, improve conversion rates, and even predict donor behavior. The conversation emphasizes the importance of removing friction in the donation process and the future potential of AI in the nonprofit space.

Key Topics:

The role of AI in transforming nonprofit fundraising.

How Fundraise Up is driving innovation in donor engagement.

The impact of frictionless donation technology on nonprofit success.

Practical uses of AI to personalize donor experiences and increase monthly giving.

The ethical considerations and privacy concerns around AI in fundraising.

Sal’s take on the future of digital fundraising and the evolving nonprofit tech landscape.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to AI in Nonprofit Fundraising with Sal Salpietro
02:00 - Sal’s Journey from Digital Fundraiser to Chief Community Officer
06:00 - The Power of Frictionless Fundraising Technology
09:00 - How AI Is Enhancing Monthly Donor Acquisition
12:00 - The Importance of Mobile-Friendly Donation Pages
15:00 - AI in Personalizing Donor Experiences
18:00 - Ethical Use of AI in Fundraising
21:00 - The Future of FundraiseUp and Digital Fundraising
24:00 - Sal’s Favorite 1980s Movie and Final Reflections

Connect with Sal Salpietro:
Website: fundraiseup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/salvatoresalpietro

Connect with Josh Hirsch:
Website: theaidude.ai
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshahirsch

In this episode of The AI Dude podcast, host Josh Hirsch is joined by Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D., Senior Assistant Dean for External Relations at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Director of The Fund Raising School. Bill brings over 40 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, including roles at the Indiana Youth Institute and as a media personality. Bill and Josh discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the nonprofit sector, particularly in fundraising and donor engagement.

Bill shares how The Fund Raising School embraced AI early on, recognizing its potential to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in nonprofit operations. They discuss practical applications of AI, ethical considerations, and the critical need for transparency when integrating AI into fundraising efforts. Plus, Bill provides valuable insights into how nonprofits can navigate AI’s rapid evolution while maintaining a human-centered approach to philanthropy.

Key Topics:

The Fund Raising School’s proactive approach to AI education.

Practical applications of AI in nonprofit fundraising and donor engagement.

Ethical considerations and donor privacy concerns when using AI.

How AI is enhancing personalized donor experiences at scale.

The ongoing need for continuing education in AI for nonprofit professionals.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to AI in Fundraising with Bill Stanjkevich
02:45 How the Fundraising School Adopted AI Early On
06:00 AI’s Impact on Fundraising Operations and Efficiency
09:30 Ethical and Privacy Concerns in AI for Nonprofits
12:15 Practical AI Applications in Donor Engagement
15:00 Addressing AI Bias and Ensuring Accuracy
18:00 The Future of AI in Fundraising Education
21:00 Navigating AI’s Rapid Evolution in the Nonprofit Sector
24:00 Bill’s Favorite 1980s Movie and Final Reflections

Connect with Bill Stanczykiewicz, Ed.D.:
Website: The Fund Raising School
LinkedIn: Bill Stanczykiewicz

Connect with Josh Hirsch, MS:
Website: theAIdude.ai
LinkedIn: Josh Hirsch