Opportunities and Challenges of Incorporating Artificial Intelligence into Nonprofit Work
SEPTEMBER 20, 2024
On behalf of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Colorado Chapter, welcome to the 2024 Rocky Mountain Philanthropy Institute! We are thrilled to have you join us for “A.I. Doing This Right?” as we explore the opportunities and challenges of incorporating artificial intelligence into nonprofit work.
In addition to the enlightening sessions from Alice Ferris, Megan Bennett, Brittny Wilson, Erik Tomalis and others, RMPI offers an exceptional opportunity to network and connect with fellow professionals who work daily to make a difference. We encourage you to engage in important conversations, exchange ideas, and forge new partnerships to contribute to your work as we learn how to harness the power of A.I. responsibly to drive impact for your organization.
Thank you for being a part of this exciting and informative event. We look forward to engaging with you and celebrating the power of philanthropy!
Warm regards, Amy
Farnan AFP Colorado Chapter President
Special thanks to conference co-chairs Chelley Canales and Carolyn Stevens-Wood, and to DeAnn Acosta, Robin Wood-Mason, Sarah Swanson, all of our amazing sponsors and speakers. Thank you!
RMPI 2024 SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
COMMUNNITY BUILDER SPONSORS
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSORS
AFP Colorado Chapter Past Presidents
EXHIBITORS
RMPI 2024 EMCEE
Chelley Canales (she/her/hers)
Benefit Auctioneer and Director of Consulting, The Gala Team
Chelley Canales is a Benefit Auctioneer and Director of Consulting for The Gala Team and a proud Board Member of AFP Colorado Chapter. She has a background in fundraising, having previously worked for organizations such as Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver and Publicolor in NYC.
Chelley is the host of the podcast Lighthouse Conversations with Chelley Canales, is a TEDx speaker, and has been seen on stage in Denver and across the country as an emcee and performing artist.
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
8:00 am RMPI Opens and Continental Breakfast Available (LOBBY)
9:00 am Welcome and Mindfulness Moment (CG1 FULL)
9:15 am Opening Keynote Session – The New Frontier in Nonprofit Work (CG1 FULL)
10:00 am Workshop Session I
Session A: 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 (CG1 NORTH)
Session B: The Hidden Costs of Staff Turnover and How to Hire Right the First Time (CG1 SOUTH)
10:45 am Break -- Visit Vendors, Self-Care, and Networking
11:00 am Workshop Session II
Session A: The Responsive Maturity Model: 5 Digital Steps to Scale Donor Engagement (CG1 NORTH)
Session B: Storytelling: Communicating Your Mission with Infectious Passion (CG1 SOUTH)
Please see speaker photos and bios later in the program
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.
10:00 am - Workshop Session I
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. Olds 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. Olds 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.
The Hidden Costs of Staff Turnover and How to Hire Right the First Time
Brittny Wilson, Brittny Wilson Consulting
Turnover is costly, but a streamlined hiring process can mitigate those costs. 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.
SCHEDULE
11:00 am - Workshop Session II
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. Learn to build trusted data processes, create transparent reports, identify collaborative tools, segment donor communication, and develop automated campaigns for timely, personalized donor interactions
Storytelling: Communicating Your Mission with Infectious Passion
Alice Ferris and Jim Anderson, GoalBusters
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.
12:15 pm Luncheon Plenary Panel
Moderator: Noah Atencio, Philanthropy Colorado
Panelists: Tiffany Anderson, Boettcher Foundation, Robert Foley, The Colorado Trust, and Carrie Tynan, Adolph Coors Foundation
AI and Grantmaking
Funders will discuss how they are using AI in the grantmaking process and within their organizations. Learn about the considerations and viewpoints of various funders as AI is becoming more integrated into the grantmaking process. This session is designed for fundraisers eager to understand the evolving AI landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from grantmakers and explore the future of grantmaking in the age of AI.
1:30 pm - Workshop Session III
Unmasking AI: Ethical Considerations for Fundraisers
Nia Wassink, Prismatic Consulting and Maegan Vallejo, Prismatic Consulting
Are you a nonprofit fundraiser eager to understand the profound impact of 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. Attendees from this session will walk away with tangible action items to begin conversations 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.
SCHEDULE
Leverage AI in Nonprofit Marketing: Keep it Personal and Elevate Your Fundraising
Dana Bacardi, Strat Labs and Lizzy Neufeld, Strat Labs
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.
3:00 pm - Workshop Session IV
AI & Fundraising: Revolutionizing Your Fundraising Efforts
Megan Bennett, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, organizations constantly seek 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.
Behavioral Psychology: How AI Actually Works, and What It Means for Fundraising
Griff Bohm, Momentum
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.
4:00 pm — Closing Session
Moderator: Chelley Canales
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.
5:00 pm – Happy Hour on the patio
MORE ABOUT AFP COLORADO CHAPTER
Need CFRE hours? We are an approved provider. Be sure to check the email you received for the CE
Have you ever attended an AFP Coffee Chat? We are now at DIRT Coffee on the second Tuesday of each month and is free for everyone. Details at https://bit.ly/AFPCoffeeChat
Are you an AFP member but not quite sure how everything works? Do you have questions about scholarships? AFP offers scholarships toward AFP membership, monthly program attendance, and RMPI registrations. Email Marissa at membership@afpcc.org with questions.
Are you looking for a new position? Be sure to check out the job postings on the AFP website. https://bit.ly/AFPJobCenter
Are you or is someone on your staff 30 years or younger? AFP has a Young Professional membership category to save on membership dues.
Would you like to attend the AFP International Conference on scholarship? If you have never attended before, you qualify to apply for the Chamberlain Scholarship. Watch the Thursday Thoughts email for details.
Do you have some great ideas to share? AFP Colorado Chapter welcomes committee members in all areas. Learn more at https://bit.ly/AFPCOCommittee
OPENING WELCOME SESSION
Alice Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE
Alice L. Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE, is the Founding Partner of GoalBusters with over 30 years of professional fundraising experience. She began her career at PBS Wisconsin and has served as Director of Development for Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff Medical Center, and KNAU Arizona Public Radio. Alice has worked extensively with small nonprofits in public media, healthcare, education, and science. She teaches at the University of Denver and is recognized for her on-air presence in public broadcasting. Alice holds a BA and MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is an AFP Master Teacher and ACFRE credential holder.
Noah Atencio has been a leader in philanthropy for 25 years and has served in grant maker roles for a few of the state’s largest funders, including El Pomar Foundation, the Daniels Fund and Colorado Gives Foundation. In the community, Atencio serves on numerous boards including the Denver Latino Commission, Colorado Conservatory of Dance, TedxMileHigh, Lifespan Local and the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. He and his wife Diana are raising two boys, ages 9 and 13.
PANELIST: Tiffany Anderson, Vice President, Grants and Programs, Boettcher Foundation
As Vice President of Grants & Programs for the Boettcher Foundation, Tiffany Anderson oversees the Foundation’s philanthropic strategy, including the Boettcher Scholarship Program, Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards, and Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship. She also manages the Foundation’s annual grantmaking process. Previously, Tiffany developed the Leeds Scholars Program at the University of Colorado and directed the Presidents Leadership Class at CU Boulder. Originally from Idalia, Colorado, Tiffany is a passionate advocate for K-12 education and has served on numerous educational task forces. She lives in Broomfield with her husband, Jason, and their three children.
PANELIST: Robert Foley, Grants Program Director, The Colorado Trust
Robert Foley, M.Ed., serves as the Grants Program Director for The Colorado Trust. He came to The Trust from the CDC Foundation, where he managed a $220 million field employment project. Before entering philanthropy, Mr. Foley worked 20 years in nonprofit policy, program development, capacity building, and research with the National Indian Health Board, National Native American AIDS Prevention Center, HIV/STI Prevention Training Centers at Denver Health, and the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research at Colorado State University. Mr. Foley earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and a bachelor’s degree in political science, with minors in Spanish and Native American studies, all from Colorado State University.
PANELIST: Carrie Tynan, CEO, Adolph Coors Foundation
Carrie Tynan is Chief Executive Officer of the Adolph Coors Foundation. In her role as CEO, Carrie oversees all Foundation operations, both charitable and non-charitable and implements the trustees’ vision for America. Previously, she was the Foundation’s Director of Grants and Senior Program Officer. Carrie is involved with National Western Stock Show, Common Sense Institute, Center for American Liberties, State Policy Network, and Center for the Rights of Abused Children. Carrie and her husband Casey are busy keeping up with their two active children. As a family, they love anything outdoors, including skiing, golfing, hunting, and attending Colorado sporting events
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
James Anderson CFRE, Partner, GoalBusters
Jim Anderson, CFRE, Partner, has over 30 years of sales and training experience with companies like Nielsen Media and Scarborough Research. Recognized as a top revenue producer, Jim has earned numerous awards and set corporate records. In 2005, he transitioned to the nonprofit sector, specializing in marketing, branding, multimedia production, and executive coaching. Jim supports public media fundraising and has set records in underwriting sales. He has extensive experience in multimedia production and education, having produced programs for Northern Arizona University. Jim holds a BA in Broadcast Management, is an AFP Master Teacher, and speaks Spanish.
Dana Bacardi
Senior VP of Strategic Philanthropy, Strat Labs
Dana Bacardi has nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she has specialized in several aspects of fundraising as VP of Development and later as VP of National Expansion with a national nonprofit organization supporting families and children facing critical illness. Helping to grow the organization from the ground up, she has hands-on experience with everything from donor engagement, corporate sponsorship strategy, and community events to board development, grant writing, and major fundraising campaigns. Dana graduated with a Business Management and Communications degree from Bentley University in Boston. She began her career in the tech and wireless industry in Boulder, Colorado, before moving into the nonprofit sector in 2007. Dana is goal-oriented, results-driven, and passionate about bringing people together for the greater good.
Megan Bennett
Adjunct Professor, Indiana University Lilly Family School of
Philanthropy
Megan Bennett began her marketing career in the mid-1990s. She has been a writer, producer, account manager, and marketing director for award-winning firms and nonprofits like Indy Humane and Hoosier Environmental Council. In 2013, she founded Socially Acceptable, a digital marketing agency helping small businesses and nonprofits tell their stories. Megan excels at diagnosing and solving client problems, enhancing online and offline exposure, and improving customer experiences. Passionate about animal welfare, she rebranded FACE Low-Cost Animal Clinic and created Indiana’s largest animal rescue event. Megan attended Ball State University and is continuing her education at Cornell University.
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Griff Bohm
VP
of Growth, Momentum
Griff is a behavioral psychologist by training where he studied financial decision making and philanthropy at CU-Boulder. He has led successful capital campaigns for two international nonprofits and founded a microbrewery in Chilean Patagonia. He was Executive Editor of the BikeLife magazine, the nation’s 3rd largest cycling related print publication by circulation. When he has free time, he’s on his bike.
Lizzy Neufeld
Founder/CEO,
Strat Labs
Elizabeth (Lizzy) Neufeld is the CEO of Strat Labs, a social impact marketing, communications, and philanthropy agency based in Denver, Colorado. Lizzy has worked in social impact for 25 years. She has collaborated with some of the most prominent companies and nonprofits, including Vans, The North Face, Timberland, Denver, Zoo, United Cerebral Palsy, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, Girl Scouts, and Denver Zoo.
Under her leadership, Strat Labs has curated a team of experts who share her passion for storytelling, marketing, impact, and philanthropy. As a result, Strat Labs won Startup Of The Year in 2023 with the Denver Metro Chamber Of Commerce and 2024 Colorado Companies To Watch and winner of 2024 Best Places To Work.
Lizzy envisions a world where social impact is no longer a conversation but a given. She drives the industry forward by inspiring consumers to support purpose-driven brands and nonprofits. She believes that through strategic marketing, communications, and philanthropy, she will empower leaders of these organizations to refine their stories, amplify their voices, and cultivate their communities for a brighter future.
MEMBERSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS
AFP is awarding scholarships to support current, lapsed, and new members on their fundraising journey. This is a fantastic opportunity for professional growth and making a difference. But hurry—there is still time to apply! The deadline is September 23rd. Apply today using the QR code.
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Shawn Olds Co-Founder, boodleAI
Shawn Olds is a technology thought leader and the co-Founder of boodleAI. Shawn has found ample success in the private, government and higher education sectors and continues to dedicate his time to supporting nonprofit organizations and their missions. He has served on nonprofit Boards for more than 30 years. While he founded his current company 8 years ago, over the past two years his team has created BoodleBox which allows teams of all sizes from all industries, as well as educators and students, to leverage Generative AI responsibly and collaboratively.
Shawn earned a BS in Computer Science from the US Military Academy, a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management, and a JD from the Northwestern School of Law.
Erik Tomalis Chief Evangelist, Virtuous
Erik Tomalis is a proven fundraising professional that is forward thinking, people driven, but most of all results oriented. 20+ yrs of professional fundraising experience, he made over 4,000 donor solicitations where he has raised millions of dollars for many nonprofit organizations, such as St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Sigma Nu Educational Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America and the Allegheny Health Network, among others. As well, he’s served as an executive leader at Primeridia, Charitable Partners, Pursuant Ketchum and now with Virtuous focused on growing global generosity at scale.
As Senior Consultant, Maegan does more than just manage projects. With over a decade working as a fundraiser in the nonprofit sector—for everything from small-scale organizations to a community foundation— Maegan is obsessed with innovating new equitable philanthropic practices that are inclusive and effective. She also works with clients as a writer, strategist, coach, and problem solver. Maegan is committed to expanding community participation in creating lasting social change, and she currently empowers clients to connect with their communities in ways that are strategic and transformative.
WORKSHOP SPEAKERS
Nia Wassink Owner and Principal, Prismatic Consulting
Nia is passionate about strong nonprofits. She has worked with and for the nonprofit sector her entire career. Her experience crosses organizational size, structure, and roles, including executive director. For Nia, consulting is about opening up possibilities and removing barriers for clients to reach new heights of their work and missions. Nia is especially passionate about addressing diversity, inclusion, equity, and access within nonprofits from Board governance practices to increase diversity, implementing community-centric fundraising practices, to creating truly inclusive strategic planning processes and plans.
Brittny Wilson Owner, Brittny Wilson Consulting
Brittny is a nonprofit recruiter and fundraising coach with over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her two decades of experience has taught her exactly what to look for when finding the perfect fundraising applicant. She helps organizations get out of their own way when it comes to hiring their next Development Director so they can start raising critical funds for their vital programs. Whether it’s identifying the best candidates, creating a seamless hiring process, or working with organizations to recognize exactly what they need for the position, Brittny walks you through the process ensuring transparency and follow-through so you can hire your next rockstar fundraiser with ease.
RMPI SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
We are thrilled that we have 8 scholarship attendees at RMPI. Thanks to our sponsors –Past Presidents of AFP Colorado Chapter and Institutes of Leaders in Development –for making this experience possible.
Eliza Carey, Splash International
Kristin Conrad, Rocky Mountain Welcome Center
Tara Hunter, Homeward Alliance
Jordyn Jefferson, Reading Partners Colorado
Allison Kerr
Kate Lievens, Denver Scholarship Foundation
Rob Purper, Nourish Meals on Wheels
Lisa Vega Fields, The Action Center
Brittany Vital, Coal Creek Meals on Wheels
AFP
Colorado Chapter Past Presidents
Join us for these upcoming events:
October 24 - Film screening of “Uncharitable” 2-4 pm at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Academy Register here: https://bit.ly/AFPUncharitable
Join us on November 7 for a celebration for the National Philanthropy Day in Colorado 2024.
AFP is a membership organization committed to advancing philanthropy. We offer resources and create opportunities to help fundraising professionals be the best they can be. We bring fundraisers together to network, grow professionally, and advance our field. Learn more about the value of being an AFP member online at afpcc.org
Home - AFP Colorado Chapter (afpglobal.org)
Thanks to our 2024 RMPI Committee
RMPI Chairs
Chelley Canales, The Gala Team
Carolyn Stevens-Wood, Young Americans Center for Financial Education Committee
Iris Abraham, Denver Rescue Mission
DeAnn Acosta, CFRE, AFP Colorado Chapter
Cheryl Dotson, The Meeting Edge
Richard Eveleigh, The Nonprofit Strategy Group
Sarah Swanson, Friends of the National Center
Annie Tutt, CFRE, Brent’s Place
Robin Wood-Mason, CFRE, Community Shares of Colorado
AFP Chapter Office PO Box 24745 | Denver, CO 80224 | 303.394.6388
