The Right Humans in the Loop: Where Should AI Live in Fundraising?
Hey all, this new blog from Amelia Helm explores why that choice matters more than most of us think:
https://blog.blackbaud.com/right-humans-in-loop-why-fundraising-ai-belongs-inside-your-crm/
Here’s the core idea:
AI isn’t just about capability—it’s about context.
When AI sits outside your CRM:
- Data can quickly become outdated
- Workflows get fragmented
- Visibility and control start to slip
But when AI lives inside your CRM—working directly with your system of record:
- Insights are grounded in real-time data
- Workflows stay connected
- Fundraisers remain at the center of decisions
And that last point is critical.
The most effective AI in philanthropy doesn’t replace fundraisers—it works alongside them.
This is a key principle behind Agentic AI and what we’re building with Development Agent and the broader Agents for Good vision:
- AI that acts as a teammate, not a tool you bolt on
- AI that helps scale impact without losing the human connection
- AI that keeps the right humans in the loop, especially when trust and relationships matter most
Let’s open it up for discussion 👇
- How are you currently thinking about AI in your fundraising strategy?
- Have you experimented with standalone AI tools vs. embedded solutions?
- Where do you see the biggest risks—or opportunities—when AI operates outside your CRM?
What questions or experiences can you share?
