Nonprofit Innovator Podcast
34 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 5 ratingsThe Nonprofit Innovator Podcast is a weekly update for nonprofit professionals who are driving innovation at their organization or looking for the ideas and inspiration to make it happen. Co-hosted by Jeff Patrick and Taylor Shanklin, each week the podcast features three stories of inspiring, inventive, and creative organizations that are fundamentally reshaping social impact in the 21st century.
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Episodes
EP34 AI and Feeding America | Part 1 of 3 Catherine Davis: CMO and CCO at Feeding America
October 07, 2019 22:00 - 28 minutes - 19.5 MBThis week we’ve got a special episode, the first of a three-part series on Feeding America and their new hunger awareness campaign, called the Face of Hunger. The campaign uses artificial intelligence in a couple of unique ways to help, literally, generate and animate the face of hunger in America. It’s pretty clever stuff and I think you’ll find it really interesting. To get things started, this week we talk with Catherine Davis, who has dual roles at Feeding America, she is the Chief Mark...
EP33: AI and Behavioral Economics for Individual Giving: Arjuna Solutions & Ask String Optimization
September 26, 2019 15:00 - 38 minutes - 26.3 MBThis week we’re talking about Behavioral Economics in Individual Giving. It’s a term coined by AI fundraising company Arjuna Solutions that describes how the AI models work that power their solution for gift array optimization. We get more into the definition, the product, and the real value and benefit for nonprofit individual giving programs in this episode. Our guests for this week's podcast including Michael Gorriarán, President at Arjuna Solutions, and Loree Lipsteen, Founder, Princip...
EP32: AI for Nonprofits: Real or Hype? Does it work? Hear from the experts.
September 16, 2019 23:00 - 25 minutes - 17.6 MBIn this week’s Nonprofit Innovators in AI podcast my podcast partner Taylor Shanklin joins me for a practical sidebar into the question - Is AI real or hype? It turns out that plenty of people are making lots of noise about AI in the nonprofit sector. By noise, I mean pitching new products, announcing new applications, getting funding for all of that, and some nonprofits are standing up and saying … we did this with AI and it worked. Those various things are normal parts of the technology...
EP31: SPECIAL EDITION: The World's First Known Deepfake-driven Theft Dupes a Company CEO
September 10, 2019 23:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MBIn this week’s episode, we have two segments that delve into deepfake technology. This special edition looks first at two pieces of news that surfaced last week about a scam using deepfake audio that resulted in a UK energy company mistakenly transferring $243,000 to bad guys before it realized that they’d been fooled by a deepfake bot that sounded like the CEO from its company. Confused? Don’t worry, we sort it all out and talk about the significance of this first of its kind deepfake crime...
EP30: AI and Automated Storytelling for Your Financial Data via BI Tools and CRM
September 04, 2019 18:00 - 41 minutes - 28.3 MBThis week we take a virtual trip to Chicago where we have a chat with a company called Narrative Science. Their AI-powered software is pretty clever - it ingests data - think financial data or marketing/fundraising performance data - and it automatically generates stories about the data. In effect, it looks at the data and identifies useful trends, observations, or projections from the chart. It uses AI in the form of natural language generation to craft the text stories about what it sees i...
EP29: AI and Direct Relief's chatbot for disaster response customer service
August 28, 2019 14:00 - 45 minutes - 31.1 MBThis week we talk with the NGO Direct Relief about the AI-powered Facebook Messenger chatbot they successfully fielded for customer service during disaster response events. During a natural disaster like Hurricane Maria they field thousands of calls from people with needs ranging from emergency clean water and food to those who want to volunteer, donate, or simply learn more about the organization. Call volume goes up exponentially during these periods and with just three staff in the comm...
EP28: AI & A New Partnership for Major Donor Prospecting
August 20, 2019 19:00 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MBThis week we talk with Bill Tedesco, CEO at DonorSearch and Nathan Chappell, President at Futurus Group about the product partnership they announced recently. Of course, Bill and DonorSearch are well-known in the industry for their donor prospecting tool incorporating the nation's largest philanthropic database and serving 1,000's of nonprofit, higher ed, and foundation organizations. Futurus Group, a startup focused on deploying AI for major donor prospecting invented the Gratitude Score...
EP27: AI for Major Donor Giving
August 12, 2019 10:00 - 49 minutes - 33.7 MBThis week we talk with Art Komorov from Wisely, a startup focused on helping major gift officers raise more revenue using AI. Art, based in Toronto is the founder and CEO at Wisely, and a member of Next Canada, an accelerator program for startups. Art gives us the low-down on the Toronto start-up scene ("its frothing"), the twisty-turny path he took to leading a startup by way of public policy and sales at Blackbaud, and all the details about Wisely's Donor Portfolio Management solution powe...
EP26: Fixing the Big Problems in AI
August 06, 2019 15:00 - 46 minutes - 32.3 MBMisinformation, disinformation, fake news, deepfake videos, and the big event. We talk with think tank researcher Claire Leibowicz from the Partnership on AI - the organization formed by the AI leaders at Google, Facebook, Amazon, IBM, and others. Its mission is to ensure AI technology has a positive impact on the people using it. That's a tall task given the nascent, chaotic, largely unregulated nature of the industry. We sort through it all.
EP25: AI in Advancement for Higher Education
July 30, 2019 14:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MBAI is making its way into fundraising at higher education institutions. This week Dana Gresko, from EAB (a Washington DC-based fundraising agency for advancement organizations) shares her insights on how AI is helping tune the direct marketing promotion for alumni communications.
EP24: AI and Jobs: Will fundraisers be replaced by AI?
July 15, 2019 20:00 - 50 minutes - 34.5 MBThis week we’re taking a look at AI and fundraising jobs. We investigate a few key questions: Will AI take away jobs from people, and if so, what kind of jobs? Will AI create new jobs, and if so what kind of jobs? What can nonprofit employees do to make their role and career better suited to an AI-focused future?
EP23: AI for Fundraising Chatbots: Givvn - A Startup Focused on Giving via Facebook Messenger
July 09, 2019 01:00 - 56 minutes - 38.6 MBMeet Matt Spaulding, CEO and Founder at Givvn. We talk Messenger giving bots, making the ask for recurring monthly gifts within a chatbot session, what it takes for a nonprofit to set up a giving bot, pricing, and the potential pitfalls of the technology.
EP22 Robot Surveillance: AI, Video Surveillance, and Privacy
July 01, 2019 20:00 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MBJoin us for a look at "The Dawn of Robot Surveillance" report as we interview author Jay Stanley from the ACLU. The wide-ranging and fascinating discussion covers the following: Video Analytics: The new era of video analytics that has seen previously mostly dumb surveillance cameras become smart by bolting on deep learning AI technology to analyze the video. New Techniques: A half dozen new techniques to automate video analysis for Human Action Recognition, Wide Area Surveillance, Contextu...
Episode 21: Interview with Nathan Chappell, founder and CEO at Futurus Group
June 24, 2019 12:00 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MBIn this week's episode, we feature a special interview with CEO of Futurus Group, Nathan Chappell. The Futurus Group is using artificial intelligence to help organizations fundraise. We also recapped one breaking story on the ACLU's release of The Dawn of Robot Surveillance report.
Episode 20: Deep Dive into Deep Fake Video - The Good, The Bad and The Implications
June 18, 2019 12:00 - 38 minutes - 26.1 MBIn this week's episode, we did a deep dive on deep fake videos created through artificial intelligence technology. A recent flurry of deep fake videos has gotten federal lawmakers' attention in the runup to the 2020 elections. In this episode, we explain deep fakes including: Why deep fake media - video and audio - pose such a big threat to government, elections, business, and nonprofits. The AI technology behind deep fakes What the US government is doing about shutting down the distribu...
Episode 19: Interviews with CEOs of three software companies building artificial intelligence for the nonprofit sector
June 10, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 44 MBIn this special episode, we interview and discuss AI for Fundraising. We featured three different products for nonprofit fundraising that are powered by artificial intelligence. And, we had a special guest, Dave Linn, COO of the Generosity Series join us. Story / Interview #1: Gravyty and their work in major giving Story / Interview #2: Arjuna for direct marketing fundraising Story / Interview #3: Boodle to identify likely donors among the people you already know, then generate messag...
Episode 18: Three charities doing artificial intelligence in education
June 03, 2019 16:00 - 49 minutes - 22.8 MBIn this week's episode, our theme is AI in education. Jeff Patrick and special guest, Charis Loveland, discuss these three charities in-depth. They are changing the landscape in education with their focus on AI. Story #1: Quill a website that provides free online education tools to low-income students, uses deep learning to automate grading and give instant feedback. Story #2: Talking Points uses AI to build on its translation system, which connects non-English speaking parents in the U.S...
Episode 17: Breaking news on the bi-partisan bill that promises $2 billion in federal spending on AI
May 27, 2019 17:00 - 35 minutes - 16.3 MBThis week we’re jumping on a breaking story about AI in government, and namely, a new bi-partisan bill that promises $2 billion in federal spending on AI. Lightly sticking to our show format, we’ll break it into three parts. Therefore, this week we have a little twist on our usual format: Part 1: The critical areas the budget and bill promise to address Part 2: What the Bill actually includes Part 3: What this means for nonprofits and AI
Episode 16: Google AI Impact Challenge
May 21, 2019 16:00 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MBTheme: This week we’re looking at three winners of the Google AI Impact Challenge who are all nonprofits using AI in Health applications. Story #1: Crisis Text Line, a nonprofit that connects people experiencing a crisis with volunteer counselors by text message, uses AI to evaluate messages and move the people who are in most danger to the front of the line. Story #2: Nexleaf Analytics (nonprofit) is using AI to build data models that track vaccines as they’re delivered around the world ...
Episode 15: Artificial intelligence for deep fake content through Generative Adversarial Networks
May 06, 2019 14:00 - 34 minutes - 15.7 MBIn this episode, we shift our focus exclusively to AI, and we bring three stories that are centered around AI called Generative Adversarial Networks. Story #1: Malaria Must Die's global campaign featuring a deep fake of David Beckham eclipsed 400 million impressions globally. The campaign features international soccer star, David Beckham in a video where malaria survivors speak through him in different languages. The video uses sophisticated, AI-driven software that is trained on the subjec...
Episode 14: Artificial intelligence for flood warnings, solar panels creating clean water, and tech that prevents fires
April 29, 2019 19:00 - 37 minutes - 17.1 MBIn this week's episode, we unpack three innovation news stories: Story #1: Missouri engineers use AI to pinpoint flooded roads. Engineers at Missouri University of Science & Technology in Rolla are creating algorithms to give early flood warnings for drivers. The Missouri Department of Transportation will use the data to augment flood evacuation plans. The research focuses on Meramec River basin in eastern Missouri and parts of Nebraska and northwest Missouri that experienced record-breakin...
Episode 13: Monitoring climate change with satellites, making food tastier and using big data for informal city planning
April 22, 2019 12:00 - 40 minutes - 18.4 MBThis week we bring you three stories on social innovation: #1) Monitoring climate change from space. The compact satellite MethaneSAT will gather data about methane, one pollutant that’s warming the planet. It was designed to calculate the location and magnitude of methane emissions virtually anywhere on Earth. #2) Artificial intelligence (AI) produces the best-tasting food. MIT media lab researchers combine botany, machine learning algorithms, and chemistry. Researchers in the Media Lab’...
Episode 12: 3D printing technology to make building fully-outfitted affordable homes a reality, and two use cases of Artificial Intelligence technology that is hitting the fishing industry and allowing us to learn more about where fish are being sourced f
April 15, 2019 12:00 - 35 minutes - 16.1 MBThis week we bring you three stories on social innovation: #1) Nonprofit partners with local startup to make 3D printed homes a reality. The Austin, TX-based startup Icon recently shared a prototype tiny home built in partnership with a local nonprofit called New Story. #2) The Nature Conservancy developed a fish sampling technology solution with a Swedish company called Refind Technologies. The goal is to monitor for over-fishing and prevent depletion of the fish population in Indonesia....
Episode 11: AI Initiatives that further tackle frontline healthcare in developing worlds, video games combating mental health and a California nonprofit that develops app for teens seeking mental health support
April 08, 2019 12:00 - 36 minutes - 16.9 MBIn this week's episode, we unpack three innovation stories: #1) The nonprofit, Wadwhani Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Wadwhani AI for short), based in India. This a nonprofit research institute who’s AI projects and bringing frontline healthcare technology to mother's and their babies. #2) Video games tackling mental health issues. “Mental health is becoming a more central narrative in our culture, with greater efforts to normalize mental health challenges,” said Eve Crevoshay, ex...
Episode 10: A nonprofit that is getting into the television streaming business, how Google is fighting fake news, and network of cameras is used to spot poachers in Africa
April 01, 2019 12:00 - 39 minutes - 17.9 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: #1: A Santa Fe-based nonprofit focused on children’s media, and a software startup in the city, have launched a commercial-free online video-streaming channel with kid-friendly programs by filmmakers worldwide. #2: New Google tools fight fake news. Last week, Google announced a tool that helps news organizations tag credible stories so that Google News can more easily feature them. Another new tool offers journalists a...
Episode 9: Gates Foundation pushes for AI that improves childbirth outcomes, technology measuring CO2 in the Amazon, and a nonprofit that is using data to end homelessness
March 25, 2019 04:00 - 31 minutes - 14.7 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: Gates Foundation using artificial intelligence to improve childbirth outcomes in developing countries, technology measuring the impacts of CO2 in the Amazon, and a nonprofit that is using data to end homelessness. #1: Gates Foundation investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to improve childbirth outcomes in developing countries. Bill Gates mentioned at a recent visit to Stanford University that he sees a critical use...
Episode 8: Artificial Intelligence for building and structural engineering, AI for machine vision, plus a search and rescue system for those with disabilities
March 21, 2019 04:00 - 26 minutes - 12.2 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) Artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable, affordable buildings. AI is improving design in India thanks to New Delhi-based nonprofit TARA and MIT graduate student Mohamed Ismail. 2) OpenAI and Google attempt to understand machine vision. Industries from health care to self-driving cars are using machine vision systems. 3) Nonprofit uses tech to give independence to the elderly and disabled. The Arc of Midland, ...
Episode 7: Language learning apps for children, technology for disabilities and cribs that can detect emergencies for newborns
March 11, 2019 04:00 - 37 minutes - 17.1 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) Google partners with nonprofit Storyweaver for new language learning app Bolo, which helps children learn to read in different languages. 2) Talking gloves and tactile windows: Tech for the disabled. Microsoft and Google's $45M investment in these types of technology. 3) The device that wirelessly monitors babies in hospital cribs to track life-threatening issues, and is being applied for other medical uses.
Episode 6: 3D printing for marine life, 3D printing of monuments, and Artificial Intelligence for Farming
March 04, 2019 13:00 - 25 minutes - 11.6 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) How The Living Seawall is being printed in 3D in Sydney, Australia 2) The Lab (by Google Arts and Culture) printing 3D replicas of ancient monuments 3) AI for farming. It's called Precision Farming and it's going to help the world support our food supply with 1/3 less arable land.
Episode 5: A non-profit and for-profit team up, LeaseUp affordable housing tools, and museums creating Instagram experiences
February 25, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 12.6 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) How the United Way is building a for-profit entity that helps nonprofits with their fundraising solutions and marketing services 2) LeaseUp - it's "the Zillow" for Affordable Housing, helping homeless people and social workers find and get matched with housing 3) wndr - The museum that is creating Instagram experiences to bring a fresh take on the art museum world
Episode 4: AI to combat human trafficking, drones in the Galapagos and Facebook and Instagram new features
February 18, 2019 14:00 - 30 minutes - 14.2 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) How AI technology is helping to combat human trafficking, identifying the criminals responsible and finding victims 2) Drones that are being used for damaging rodent populations in the Galapagos Islands - plus a few other ideas on how drones are being used for social good projects 3) Facebook's recent announcement of new Groups functionality plus the teaser announcement of Instagram donation stickers
Episode 3: VR for medical use, a HUGE nonprofit merger and blockchain for nonprofits
February 08, 2019 05:00 - 23 minutes - 10.6 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) How doctor's and patients at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are getting a peek inside the human body through VR technology 2) The merger between the Foundation Center & Guidestar - and how this could change fundraising forever. 3) Practical uses of blockchain technology to power social impact. It's not just about cryptocurrency, folks...
Episode 2: Chatbots to teach kids about sex ed, Facebook's content oversight board, and a nonprofit that is personalizing learning
February 07, 2019 05:00 - 30 minutes - 14.1 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) How Planned Parenthood is using a chatbot to educate teens on sex education and safe practices. 2) The Oversight Board for Content Decisions being organized by Facebook 3) A nonprofit named LEAP who is personalizing learning for children is grade school
Episode 1: Live stream fundraising, drones and free art
February 03, 2019 05:00 - 25 minutes - 11.6 MBIn this week of the Nonprofit Innovator Podcast we cover three stories: 1) How US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez dropped into a Twitch charity stream to raise funds for transgender organization and boosted the fundraising of the event by $100k. 2) How Drone-powered forest maps key to sustainability. Intel has partnered with NGO Fundecor and drone maker Aerial Robotixs to create 3D models of Costa Rica's forest surfaces. 3) Why the Cleveland Museum of Art waived digital rights t...