Fundraising.AI: Moving from Hype to Human-Centered Action with Jen Lau

Jen Lau, Director, Fundraising.ai

I love tools that actually help nonprofits raise more money. That’s why my chat with Jen Lau, director at Fundraising.AI, hit home: less buzzword salad, more “here’s how to use AI to save time, steward better, and build trust.”

Jen’s origin story is classic mission-meets-ops. After years in tech and philanthropy, she joined Fundraising.AI to grow it from a once-a-year event into year-round learning. Their goal: keep it free (sponsored by values-aligned tech companies) and keep it human-centered.

Why Fundraising.AI matters right now

• Awareness → action. Lots of teams are curious about AI but stuck on “where do we start?” Fundraising.AI is equipping nonprofits with accessible frameworks and resources to explore AI in real work - from writing and research to stewardship - without disrupting existing workflows.

  
  

• Human first. Their content puts people, culture, and governance ahead of shiny features. Think: adoption, ethics, privacy, and trust—not just prompts.

  
  

• It’s free. The flagship Fundraising.AI Summit is free to attend, and they’re layering in ongoing resources so learning isn’t a once-a-year thing.

  
  

Inside the (free) Summit

Expect sessions that meet you where you are—from beginner prompts and AI hacks to leadership tracks on governance, culture, security, and privacy. They have two full days of programming. Whatever your time is, pick and choose the options that work best for you. 

Discussions I’m excited for:

• Oxford-style debate: Is generative AI a net positive? You’ll hear both sides, then see if the audience actually shifts.

  
  

• Tough-topic panels: Environment, donor trust, and ethical guardrails—handled head-on, not hand-waved.

  
  

Pick the talks that matter to you and drop them on your calendar. Attend one session or ten; it’s built to be flexible. For more information or to register: fundraising.ai/summit 

What nonprofits keep getting stuck on (and how to move)

Jen named the blocker plainly:

“Fear hampers curiosity.”

Three places I see teams freeze—and what to try instead:

1. “We don’t have time.”Try: Give AI a job with a 1-week test. Example: “Draft three donor update options for X program in my tone. Keep it under 150 words.” Measure: did it cut your writing time in half?

   
   

2. “Isn’t AI bad for the planet / risky for donors?”Try: Don’t disengage—learn the details (there is a session on that at their summit). Build a simple policy: what data you do/don’t put into tools, human review steps, and opt-out language for supporters.

   
   

3. “Our outputs feel robotic.”Try: Work on the input. In practice, some models are more precise and others more accessible. Try different tools and see what gives you the most human experience. 

   
   

Important: AI is a force multiplier, not a replacement. Your judgment, values, and approvals still drive the work. AI should make your work easier. Especially taking complex problems and making them more approachable. Jen commented, “When applied responsibly, AI can foster a culture of innovation by encouraging experimentation, collaboration, and new ways of solving problems."

Final word

Fundraising.AI isn’t pushing gadgets. They’re building a lane for responsible, people-first adoption and making it free so every shop, big or small, can learn and try.

If AI still feels abstract, borrow Jen’s rule of thumb: start small, solve one real problem, and give it a week. Curiosity beats fear every time.

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I help nonprofits raise more money through education, coaching, and strategic planning. If your organization is ready to strengthen its fundraising strategy, create board advocates, or develop a comprehensive legacy giving program, I'd love to discuss how we can work together.