In the latest issue of Connections, Erin Olson explores the profound impact of inclusive and equitable language within prospect research and development. The article provides actionable guides for shifting away from gendered, sexist, ableist or historically harmful terms toward language rooted in kindness and respect. By intentionally choosing inclusive alternatives, nonprofit professionals can foster a deeper sense of belonging for colleagues, donors and constituents.
Get ready to enhance your prospect management at Plug In to Pipelines, a virtual two-day conference held June 2-3. This event dives into sophisticated metrics, AI-driven health assessments, and strategies for building the next generation of major gift pipelines. Whether you are a solo practitioner or part of a large team, you will gain actionable insights on tracking portfolio movement and maximizing limited resources from experts across the sector.
In part two of this series on adopting new technologies, we dive into a realistic scenario that explores how cross-functional teams can effectively vet tools such as LLMs and Generative AI. Following a university director’s journey to investigate AI’s benefits and risks, the article highlights the necessity of a formal team charter and executive buy-in. By leveraging diverse expertise—from engineering to industrial process modeling—the team identifies critical risks, such as "hallucinations," that could impact donor relations. Ultimately, the story demonstrates how disciplined, collaborative research leads to strategic recommendations that prioritize institutional reputation over media hype.