Episode 39 - Empower Nonprofits Through AI with Erin McHugh Saif and Devi Thomas

FundraisingAI

Devi Thomas, named as one of the 2023 Social Impact Pioneers and Top Women in Communications, leads the Nonprofit Community at Microsoft Philanthropies. She engages wit h nonprofits to address community challenges through AI and technology, empowering them to create impactful solutions and drive social change.

On the other hand, Erin McHugh Saif is the Chief Product Officer at Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, with prior experience at Salesforce and TIBCO. She focuses on making technology accessible for nonprofit organizations, emphasizing innovation and affordability.

Starting the conversation, Devi shares her enthusiasm for training individuals in AI and technology, highlighting the economic opportunities AI brings and the necessity of integrating people into the digital realm. She reflects on her journey, expressing gratitude for working with AI and her commitment to the nonprofit sector.

Erin also details her work connecting Microsoft's resources with global nonprofit organizations. She emphasizes the importance of affordability and accessibility in technology for nonprofits, discussing her transition from the tech industry to the Tech for Social Impact team. She underscores the necessity of human involvement in change management and the role of well-designed software in supporting nonprofit missions.

The conversation also delves into the guests' paths to the nonprofit sector, revealing their diverse backgrounds and the transferable skills that can bridge corporate and nonprofit work. They highlight the scrappiness of the nonprofit sector and its innovation potential.

Addressing AI adoption in nonprofits, Devi and Erin discuss the challenges organizations face, including skepticism, lack of understanding, and distrust, particularly in the US and Western Europe. They emphasize the need for training and exposure to foster trust in AI technologies.

When asked for advice for nonprofit leaders hesitant about AI, Erin suggests starting small and fostering a culture of experimentation, while Devi stresses the importance of ethical governance in AI use and adopting a learning mindset.

Finally, they discuss Microsoft's global support for nonprofits, including partnerships aimed at upskilling individuals in AI, particularly in developing countries, showcasing the impact of these initiatives through personal stories. Both speakers reaffirm Microsoft's commitment to making technology accessible and beneficial for nonprofits worldwide.

HIGHLIGHTS

[03:52] Devi's Role at Microsoft

[05:57] Erin's Role and Microsoft's Tech for Social Impact

[08:25] Devi's Path to the Nonprofit Sector

[11:18] Erin's Journey to the Nonprofit Sector

[15:07] AI and Nonprofit Adoption

[28:03] Advice for Nonprofit Leaders

[34:36] Lessons from the Corporate World

[38:21] Global Support for Nonprofits

TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY

• Explore tools and platforms designed specifically for nonprofits.
• Work with vendors who prioritize making technology accessible for nonprofits.
• Utilize skills from the corporate sector to enhance nonprofit agility and decision-making.
• Ensure clean and accurate data to maximize AI potential and operational efficiencies.
• Invest in training to overcome skepticism and build trust in AI tools among staff.
• Experiment with AI solutions in manageable increments to foster a culture of innovation.
• Develop frameworks to ensure responsible and ethical use of AI.
• Foster an environment where continuous learning and adaptation to new technologies are valued.
• Regularly assess and discontinue programs that are not yielding results.
• Collaborate with organizations and programs focusing on AI upskilling, especially in developing regions.

Resources:

Connect with Erin and Devi:

Erin McHugh Saif: linkedin.com/in/erinmchughsaif/

Devi Thomas: linkedin.com/in/devi-thomas/

Connect with Nathan and Scott:

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

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

Website: fundraising.ai/