Responsive Lab Podcast

In this special episode of The Responsive Lab, fundraising experts Missy Gale (M. Gale & Associates), Gail Perry (Gail Perry Group), and Andrew Olsen (DickersonBakker) discuss how to balance long-term relationship building with the realities of fiscal year deadlines, limited capacity, and changing donor behaviors.   You’ll learn practical strategies for portfolio segmentation, leveraging donor signals, stewarding mid-level donors, and moving beyond “spray and pray” tactics.   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Javan Van Gronigen, founder and creative director of Fifty & Fifty and Donately, to unpack the insights behind the 2025 Nonprofit Peer Report.   Javan shares surveying over 160 nonprofit leaders identified the top challenges nonprofit teams are facing today: misalignment, siloed data, brand confusion, and the inability to confidently execute digital strategies.   From the power of donor-centric messaging to the rise of personalized, AI-powered donor journeys, this conversation dives deep into the core disconnects that hinder generosity, and how organizations can close the gap.   👉 Download the full 2025 Nonprofit Peer Report here. 📥 Connect with Javan: Donately | Fifty & Fifty | LinkedIn 🎧 Explore Javan’s podcast: Good with Pixels 👉 Check out the blog “Do Nonprofits Need an AI Policy?”   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, we go deeper into the real, raw questions nonprofit leaders are asking about artificial intelligence. Things like strategy and governance to privacy, personalization, and predictive modeling.   Join Virtuous’ Chief AI Officer, Nathan Chappell, alongside co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus as they unpack: What AI really means for nonprofit teams How predictive and generative AI work together to drive giving Why most AI initiatives fail and how to beat the odds Ethical and environmental concerns (and how to respond to them) How Virtuous is building the future of fundraising through AI   Nathan brings years of experience in machine learning, innovation, and responsible AI use in philanthropy. This session is a roadmap for nonprofit teams looking to move from AI curiosity to AI clarity.   Watch the webinar that prompted this conversation here: 5 Essentials for AI Success: What Today’s Fundraising Teams Need to Know (and Do) to Thrive   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Stephen Boudreau and Erik Tomalis from Avid to explore how fundraisers can actually use their data to drive meaningful action.   From demystifying AI to scaling human relationships with technology, this conversation dives into the real challenges facing fundraisers today and how teams can stop drowning in spreadsheets and start making decisions with confidence. Erik shares lessons from 5,000+ donor visits and how tech can enable deeper generosity, while Stephen explains why the best fundraising teams are shifting from being data hoarders to decision-makers.   Plus, they introduce Avid, a new fundraising operating system that helps nonprofits aggregate data, visualize insights, identify audiences, and deploy campaigns, all without replacing your existing tools.   Learn more about Avid at https://www.avidai.com/   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

Join Jason Van Lue, VP of Product at Virtuous, and Erin McHugh, Chief Product Officer at Microsoft Tech for Social Impact, as they explore the future of nonprofit technology. They discuss the vital need for strong data foundations before adopting AI and clarify the difference between automating tasks and truly transforming systems. Real-world examples illustrate innovative approaches in nonprofits, all while emphasizing the balance between ethics and human connection. Discover what it means to become a 'frontier nonprofit' in this tech-driven landscape.

In this special episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus bring you a featured session from the 2025 Responsive Nonprofit Summit.   Join guests Stacy Houston, Rebecca Barnard, Jonathan McCoy, Vivian Borja, Becky Endicott, and Dr. Tim Lampkin as they challenge outdated narratives in nonprofit storytelling and share how to co-create more authentic, dignified, and powerful stories with the communities you serve.   Highlights include: Dismantling deficit-based narratives Honoring community voice in storytelling Why joy and complexity must be part of your mission narrative Tactical strategies for ethical co-creation   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, co-hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Sterrin Bird, long-time fundraising leader and nonprofit executive-in-residence at Attain Partners, for a conversation on how technology can support—but never replace—the deeply human work of fundraising.   Sterrin unpacks: Why so many orgs still get “donor-centricity” wrong How AI agents can support mid-level and major gift fundraising at scale Why donor trust is your most valuable currency—and how to protect it What truths about fundraising will never change, no matter the tools   You’ll walk away with clear direction on how to evaluate AI tools, use them to solve your biggest problems, and keep community, belonging, and authenticity at the heart of your work.   Connect with Sterrin on LinkedIn or at https://sterrinbird.com/ Learn more about Attain Partners here. Learn more about Current here.   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist

Join fundraising expert T. Clay Buck and neuroscience PhD Tim Paris as they unlock the hidden potential of clean data in nonprofits. They discuss how poor data leads to lost revenue and emphasize that every data point represents a generous human being. The duo dives into the role of AI in enhancing donor engagement, the importance of data privacy, and practical steps for creating a data-first culture. Explore how AI can transform decision-making when fueled by precise data, and learn to navigate the ethical responsibilities linked to donor information.

Matt Scott, founder of CauseMic and nonprofit messaging strategist, dives into how AI can revolutionize nonprofit messaging. He discusses the importance of aligning AI with mission-driven values and improving donor relationships without losing the human touch. Listeners learn about practical applications of AI for streamlined communication, the art of personalizing messages for different audiences, and the essential role of clear messaging in engaging donors effectively. Scott emphasizes that curiosity and authenticity are key in navigating the evolving landscape of nonprofit strategies.

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, hosts Carly Berna and Scott Holthaus sit down with Brynne Krispin, founder of Cause Fokus, to talk about the power of an empathy-driven social strategy and how nonprofits can use content and platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to foster trust, connection, and long-term donor retention.   Brynne brings a decade of nonprofit social media experience — including her time at IJM — and explains how she pivoted toward empathy-based storytelling after realizing traditional tactics weren’t cutting it. She shares how activating the personal profiles of nonprofit leaders, using emotional storytelling even when limited by privacy, and showing up with consistency can all work together to increase engagement and deepen donor loyalty.   Claim your special listener discount on Brynne’s brand-new ebook, Read the Room: Why Empathy is the Secret Sauce in Successful Branding. Get 50% off with the code VIRTUOUS here.   Download the ebook Learn more about Cause Fokus Connect with Brynne on LinkedIn   Learn more about Virtuous at virtuous.org/learnmore and download your free Nonprofit CRM Checklist at virtuous.org/crmchecklist