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318: AI for Nonprofit Leaders – Beyond the Hype (Andrew Gossen & Stamie Despo)SUMMARYSpecial thanks to TowneBank for bringing these conversations to life. Learn more at TowneBank.com/NonprofitBanking.How can nonprofit leaders cut through the noise and start using AI to strengthen relationships, increase efficiency, and stay mission-driven? AI is reshaping how nonprofits engage donors, manage data, and build relationships. In episode #318 of Your Path to Nonprofit Leadership, nonprofit marketing and fundraising experts Andrew Gossen and Stamie Despo share why nonprofit leaders can't afford to ignore AI.ABOUT ANDREWAndrew is executive director for communications, marketing, and participation at Cornell University's Division of Alumni Affairs and Development. Since joining Cornell in 2010, he has integrated emerging digital technologies, including social media and crowdfunding, into the division's strategy. Previously, he spent eight years in various roles at the Alumni Association of Princeton University. Gossen focuses on using digital tools to build audiences and mobilize support for causes and organizations. A frequent speaker to domestic and international audiences, he has served on the CASE Commission on Alumni Relations, co-chaired the CASE Joint Commission Task Force on Social Media, and received a CASE Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. He holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton and a doctorate in social anthropology from Harvard.ABOUT STAMIEStamie brings over 20 years of experience in philanthropy to Cornell University. Previously she served as the Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the greater Charlotte, NC, area. Stamie was a 2019 honoree for the Charlotte Athena Leadership Award for Service. Her focus in philanthropy is engaging donors in a meaningful and authentic way, creating a culture of philanthropy, building relationships and providing strategic leadership. She holds a Bachelor's degree in economics, Cum Laude, from Smith College, a Masters in Teaching degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Monmouth University, a Non-Profit Management Certificate from Duke University, and an Event Planning Certificate from UNC Charlotte.EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCESYour Path to Nonprofit Leadership is FeedSpot's #1 podcast in Philanthropy!The Filter Bubble by Eli Pariser and AI for Good by Gaius ChinanuDon't miss our weekly Thursday Leadership LensWant to chat leadership 24/7? Go to delphi.ai/pattonmcdowell
In this episode of Advancement Amplified: AI for IA, host Dan Giroux sits down with Andrew Gossen, Executive Director of Communications, Marketing, and Participation at Cornell University, to explore how AI is reshaping advancement teams. Andrew shares insights on AI's impact on marketing, fundraising, and engagement, as well as how institutions can balance efficiency with the human connection that remains at the heart of advancement. From predictive analytics to AI-powered donor insights, this conversation highlights key strategies for leveraging AI in higher education advancement.Guest Name: Andrew Gossen, Executive Director for Communications, Marketing, and Participation (Division of Alumni Affairs and Development), Cornell UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewgossen/Guest Bio: Andrew Gossen is the executive director for communications, marketing, and participation in Cornell University's Division of Alumni Affairs and Development. He joined Cornell in 2010 to integrate emerging digital technologies – among them social media and crowdfunding – into the division's strategic plan. Previously, Gossen spent eight years at the Alumni Association of Princeton University in a number of diverse roles. His focus is using digital technologies and approaches to engagement to build audiences and mobilize them on behalf of a range of causes and organizations.In addition to speaking frequently on this topic to domestic and international audiences, he has served CASE Commission on Alumni Relations, co-chaired the CASE Joint Commission Task Force on Social Media, and received a CASE Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. Gossen holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton and a doctorate in social anthropology from Harvard University.Key TakeawaysAI Adoption in Advancement Is Still Emerging – While AI's potential is clear, many institutions are still figuring out how to implement it effectively.Generative AI and Predictive Analytics Are Game-Changers – AI can automate content creation, analyze engagement data, and refine outreach strategies at scale.Personalization at Scale Is the Goal – AI-driven tools can help institutions better segment and engage their audiences while maintaining a human touch.AI Frees Up Time for Relationship-Building – Automating administrative tasks allows advancement professionals to spend more time connecting with donors.Culture and Training Matter – AI adoption requires a mindset shift, continuous learning, and collaboration across advancement and IT teams.The Evolution of AI in Higher Ed AdvancementCornell University has been at the forefront of AI exploration in advancement since 2018. Andrew Gossen explains that while AI has been on the radar for years, the release of generative AI tools like ChatGPT has significantly accelerated conversations. Unlike previous technological shifts, such as the rise of social media, institutions are proactively engaging with AI rather than resisting it. However, many teams are still struggling to determine how AI will fundamentally change their workflows and engagement strategies.Harnessing AI for More Effective Marketing and EngagementOne of the most immediate and tangible uses of AI in advancement is in marketing and communications. AI-driven marketing automation allows institutions to test different content strategies, analyze audience responses, and refine outreach in real-time. At Cornell, the integration of AI with advanced marketing platforms has created opportunities to A/B test content at scale, reducing the manual effort required by staff. This enables institutions to reach donors and alumni with more relevant, personalized messaging—without overburdening their teams.AI's Role in Fundraising: More Insight, Less Administrative WorkFor gift officers, one of AI's biggest advantages is its ability to consolidate and analyze donor data. AI can aggregate trip reports, past gift agreements, and engagement history to generate comprehensive donor profiles in seconds—something that would otherwise take hours of manual research. This allows advancement professionals to spend less time on administrative tasks and more time cultivating relationships with prospects. When used effectively, AI can enhance, rather than replace, the human interactions that drive successful fundraising.Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption in AdvancementDespite AI's potential, institutions face challenges in implementation, including:Data Security Concerns – Ensuring donor data remains protected when using AI tools is a top priority.Institutional Risk Tolerance – Some universities are hesitant to fully embrace AI due to regulatory and reputational risks.The Need for Demonstrable ROI – Widespread AI adoption will likely accelerate when institutions can clearly quantify its impact on engagement and fundraising.Cornell has addressed some of these concerns by developing an AI Innovation Sandbox, a secure environment where teams can experiment with AI tools while maintaining data integrity. Additionally, an AI Innovation Lab pairs students with departments to explore new AI-driven solutions for university operations. These initiatives help Cornell stay ahead of the curve while mitigating risks.The Future of AI in Advancement: Where Are We Headed?Looking ahead, Andrew is most excited about AI's potential to drive hyper-personalized engagement at scale. With AI-powered audience segmentation, institutions can better understand donor motivations and deliver more relevant outreach. Rather than relying on outdated annual giving strategies, AI enables real-time experimentation, allowing advancement teams to continuously refine their messaging and approach.As AI capabilities evolve, institutions that invest in experimentation and innovation will be better positioned to engage the next generation of donors. The key is to integrate AI in ways that enhance—rather than replace—the relationships that make advancement work so impactful. - - - -Connect With Our Co-Hosts:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaSeth Odell https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethodell/https://twitter.com/sethodellAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register
This episode of Alumless we're featuring special guest Andrew Gossen, Executive Director for Communications, Marketing, and Participation in the Office of Alumni Affairs & Development at Cornell University. We discuss with Andrew how digital advancement strategies have evolved over the last decade and the essential techniques, tools, and tactics for today's high-performing advancement shop. We also take a deep dive with Andrew on social media, email marketing, and what makes great content. Join us for this discussion and more! If you still need to check out Protopia's AI-powered technology for scaling digital engagement and activating volunteers, you're missing out! Visit protopia.co/alumless for details and to arrange a demo.
This week we get some AI forecasting from Andrew Gossen. He reflects on how much technology has developed over the past six years, and shares predictions about ways our work will change and evolve. Andrew outlines the risks and rewards of keeping up with artificial intelligence and how we should think about the use of human time verses machine time. Andrew Gossen is the executive director for communications, marketing, and participation in Cornell University's Division of Alumni Affairs and Development. He joined Cornell in 2010 to integrate emerging digital technologies – among them social media and crowdfunding – into the division's strategic plan. Previously, Gossen spent eight years at the Alumni Association of Princeton University in a number of diverse roles. His focus is using digital technologies and approaches to engagement to build audiences and mobilize them on behalf of a range of causes and organizations. In addition to speaking frequently on this topic to domestic and international audiences, he has served CASE Commission on Alumni Relations, co-chaired the CASE Joint Commission Task Force on Social Media, and received a CASE Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence in 2018. Gossen holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton and a doctorate in social anthropology from Harvard University. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/devdebrief/support
Learn how to drive alumni engagement using ever-changing technology and social media during these "Ted Style" talk featuring Charlie Cumbaa, Adam Miller, Andrew Gossen and Eva Kubu.
Advancement Live is back with another new topic in our new format. Join Higher Ed Live hosts Andrew Gossen and Kim Infanti for a look at what is trending in university advancement shops. This week: a recap of key insights from the Artificial Intelligence in Advancement Summit held at Cornell earlier this month. Plus, some thoughts about what higher ed advancement pros could learn about digital from the Republic of Estonia.
Advancement Live is back with another new topic in our new format. Join Higher Ed Live hosts Andrew Gossen and Kim Infanti for a look at what is trending in university advancement shops. This week: a recap of key insights from the Artificial Intelligence in Advancement Summit held at Cornell earlier this month. Plus, some thoughts about what higher ed advancement pros could learn about digital from the Republic of Estonia.
Andrew Gossen is one of the world's leading authorities on digital engagement and fundraising. His best practice work creating crowdfunding campaigns and building digital ambassador programs for giving days at Cornell University is paving the way for universities around the world to expand and explore. Hear Ryan's interview with Andrew as he shares his career story and new ideas for the creation of a digital-first advancement organization.
Giving Days are short, intense online fundraising campaigns built to drive excitement and bring community members together to rally for a cause. Many colleges and universities have found these events to be great tactics for new donor acquisition, lapsed donor re-activation, and annual giving retention. Planning for these events is no small feat. The devil is in the details. Join host Andrew Gossen for a round table discussion on Giving Day best practices before you tackle your next event.
Giving Days are short, intense online fundraising campaigns built to drive excitement and bring community members together to rally for a cause. Many colleges and universities have found these events to be great tactics for new donor acquisition, lapsed donor re-activation, and annual giving retention. Planning for these events is no small feat. The devil is in the details. Join host Andrew Gossen for a round table discussion on Giving Day best practices before you tackle your next event.
Recognizing alumni are smart, opinionated, and care about their alma mater, Columbia University launched a new initiative in August 2015 where alumni were explicitly asked to be all of these things. A new volunteer opportunity for the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA), called Alumni Voices, pings thousands of alumni and take a survey once a month. Done correctly, recruitment for alumni panels can be designed to capture a representative sample and, as a result, provide responses that are statistically valid as if polling the entire population. The Columbia Alumni Voices panel proportionally represents alumni across all of the university's schools. Join the conversation with Andrew Gossen and the CAA team as they reveal the early results of this new digital volunteerism offer.
Show notes at alumnipodcast.com.Our guest on today's podcast is Andrew Gossen. Andrew is the Senior Director for Social Media Strategy in the Division of Alumni Affairs and Development at Cornell University. He joined Cornell in early 2010 to spearhead the integration of social media and mobile technology into the division's strategic plan. Previously, Andrew spent eight years at the Alumni Association of Princeton University in a number of diverse roles. He sits on the CASE Commission on Alumni Relations, co-chairs the CASE Task Force on Social Media, and chaired the 2011 CASE Social Media & Community conference. Andrew holds a bachelor's degree from Princeton and a doctorate in social anthropology from Harvard University. You can follow Andrew on http://twitter.com/#!/agossenDuring the show Andrew mentions how Cornell is integrating video into their social web strategy, here is a link to their work http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ra7ztGV7jA&feature=youtu.beSend me feedback to paul.clifford@alumnipodcast.com. Please leave comments below or on the iTunes Music store. You can find us here: Music used in this episode was downloaded from Podsafe Music Network. July Moon by Brian McRae Pops n' Buzzes by The New Leads