RMPI Speakers

 Rocky Mountain Philanthropy Institute

September 20, 2024

UCAR, Boulder, CO

 

OPENING WELCOME SPEAKER - ALICE FERRIS

"AI - The New Frontier in Nonprofit Work" 

When you think of the new frontier, you may imagine groundbreaking technologies and futuristic innovations. Yet, the true pioneers in our field are often those who navigate the intersection of tradition and technology, transforming challenges into opportunities. Join Alice Ferris as she explores how AI can revolutionize nonprofit work, turning routine tasks into strategic advantages. Through engaging stories and practical insights, Alice will highlight AI's ethical considerations and innovative possibilities. This keynote will inspire you to embrace AI thoughtfully, ensuring it enhances our work and helps us achieve greater impact in the nonprofit sector.
Learn more about Alice
BREAKOUT SESSIONS
MORNING SESSION 1: 10:00 AM

"AI ISN'T the Answer (But It Can Be Part of the Solution):

How Connecting People, Knowledge, and GenAI Increases

Nonprofit Education, Engagement, and Effectiveness" 

- Shawn Olds, BoodleAI

Discover how nonprofits can responsibly integrate generative AI (GenAI). While GenAI is not a panacea, it can be a powerful tool when leveraged judiciously. Hoang will share practical strategies to harness GenAI’s potential while ensuring data privacy, security, and ethical alignment. Learn to identify high-value use cases, establish output review processes, and foster human-AI collaboration. Hoang will also cover crafting effective prompts, selecting AI models, and refining outputs using organizational knowledge. By embracing GenAI responsibly, nonprofits can streamline workflows, amplify impact, and drive positive social change. This session empowers organizations to navigate GenAI thoughtfully, unlocking benefits while upholding core values.
Learn more about Shawn

"Hiring: The Hidden Costs of Staff Turnover and How to Hire Right the First Time"

- Brittny Wilson

Turnover is costly, but those costs can be mitigated with a streamlined hiring process. When the process becomes an afterthought rather than an informed, strategic process, the true costs can be catastrophic. In this session we'll expose common hiring pitfalls that cost organizations more than they realize and learn easy solutions to avoid them. We'll also explore the pros and cons of leveraging AI in the hiring process.
Learn more about Brittny
MORNING SESSION 2: 11:00 AM 

"The Responsive Maturity Model: 5 Digital Steps to Scale Donor Engagement" 
- Erik Tomalis, Virtuous

Discover 5 key shifts in team dynamics, tactics, and technology to boost donor engagement and giving. Many nonprofits struggle
with disconnected donors and siloed teams. The Responsive Maturity Model offers actionable steps to enhance team collaboration,
integrate technology, and leverage real-time data insights. This model provides a structured approach to assess and
improve your organization’s capabilities, fostering personalized donor relationships and scalable growth. Learn to build
trusted data processes, create transparent reports, identify collaborative tools, segment donor communication, 
and develop automated campaigns for timely, personalized donor interactions.
Learn more about Erik

"Storytelling: Communicating Your Mission with Infectious Passion" 
- Alice Ferris and Jim Anderson

No one ever gave to an organization because of a PowerPoint presentation. So why do people contribute to a cause? Because their passion
for making a difference has been ignited! You can help ignite a donor's passion for your cause through the fundamentals of storytelling.
Whether you're telling the story through a grant proposal, a video message, a radio announcement, or one-on-one, you can use storytelling
structure to help your donor see their role in making your mission a success. This session will address how to be an effective storyteller
and the ethics and practicality of integrating AI to enhance your communication.
Learn more about Alice
Learn more about Jim

 

LUNCHEON PLENARY PANEL

“AI and Grantmaking"

 - Panelists: Tiffany Anderson, Robert Foley and Carrie Tynan

Moderator: Noah Atencio

During this dynamic lunch panel, funders will discuss AI's transformative impact on the grantmaking process. Gain insights into how AI is reshaping funding strategies, enhancing decision-making, and streamlining application reviews. Learn about the ethical considerations and best practices for integrating AI in grantmaking. This session is designed for fundraisers eager to understand the evolving landscape and leverage AI to optimize their fundraising efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from experts and explore the future of grantmaking in the age of AI.

Learn more about:

Tiffany

Robert

Carrie

Noah
AFTERNOON SESSION 1: 1:30 PM

"Unmasking AI: Ethical Considerations for Fundraisers"

- Nia Wassink and Maegan Vallejo

 

Meghan Vallejo Nia Wassink
Are you a nonprofit fundraiser eager to understand the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on our world? Do you want to lead your organization with ethical technology use? This session will not only serve as a launch point for this exciting new Education opportunity, but we will also kickstart crucial conversations on AI ethics tailored for nonprofits. Facilitated by Nia Wassink and Maegan Vallejo, attendees from this session will walk away with tangible action items to begin conversations within their organization and be prepared for the new AFP Colorado Book Club launching in January! Let's explore Unmasking AI together and pave the way for a brighter, more equitable future.
 
Learn more about Meghan and Nia

 
"Leverage AI in Nonprofit Marketing: Keep it Personal and Elevate Your Fundraising" 
- Dana Bacardi and Lizzy Neufeld, Strat Labs
Dana Bacardi Lizzy Neufeld
In this session, attendees will gain valuable insights into the transformative potential of AI in nonprofit marketing.
They will learn how AI tools can optimize social media management, streamline copywriting, and personalize donor communication.
The session will also address common challenges nonprofits face when integrating AI including how to allocate resources
for training and processes. This session is a must-attend for nonprofit professionals looking to get insights from
a social impact marketing agency working with many of Colorado’s top nonprofits.
 
AFTERNOON SESSION 2: 3:00 PM
"AI & Fundraising: Revolutionizing Your Fundraising Efforts" 
- Megan Bennett

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations are constantly seeking innovative ways to maximize their fundraising efforts. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionizing the world of fundraising and empowering nonprofits to achieve remarkable results. Join us to learn the importance of an AI policy for your organization and how to prompt AI to supercharge your fundraising efforts.
Learn more about Megan

  

"Behavioral Psychology: How AI Actually Works,
and What It Means for Fundraising" 
- Griff Bohm

AI has splashed onto the scene, but for most people (including even experts in the nonprofit sector), how it works is poorly understood. What is known, however, is that the leading AI systems, including ChatGPT, are modeled to operate like the human brain. That’s why an understanding of psychology is an essential component to understanding AI. In this session, the speaker will take you on a deep dive into how artificial intelligence works, how human psychology plays a part, and how AI can (and already does) scale your productivity in a responsible way.
Learn more about Griff

CLOSING SESSION: 4:00 PM

“Lessons Learned"

 - Chelley Canales, Moderator



Join us for the closing session, where we will reflect on the key lessons learned throughout the day. This session will synthesize insights from our expert speakers, covering the integration of AI in nonprofit work, responsible collaboration with GenAI, effective storytelling, and innovative fundraising strategies. We’ll discuss how these insights can enhance your organization’s impact and drive positive social change. This is an opportunity to consolidate your knowledge, ask final questions, and leave inspired to implement new strategies in your fundraising efforts.




 

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