Episode 44 - Shaping the Future of Philanthropy Through Technology with Jean Westrick

FundraisingAI

Meet Jean Westrick, an Executive Director at the Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG). She has 20+ years in philanthropy, specializing in technology strategy, program execution, and foundation operations. Before being the next Executive Director of the Technology Association of Grantmakers, Jean was the Director of IT Strategy and Communications at The Chicago Community Trust, where she led change management efforts for the foundation's digital transformation initiative. Also, while at the Trust, Jean directed On the Table, an award-winning engagement model designed to inspire resident action, replicated in 30 cities nationwide.

During today's conversation, Jean shares her journey through philanthropy and technology while shedding light on the evolving intersection of these fields. Starting with her reflections on the collaborative spirit at Impact House in Chicago—a dynamic space for change-makers—Jean explores the importance of fostering community and partnerships in advancing social missions.

As the discussion transitions to her role at TAG, Jean recounts her career path, from civic engagement projects at the Joyce Foundation and Chicago Community Trust to her unexpected but transformative shift into technology roles within philanthropy. She highlights the critical role technology plays in amplifying impact and discusses the need for the philanthropic sector to embrace tools like AI responsibly.

Jean introduces TAG's Responsible AI Adoption Framework, delves into key findings from the State of Philanthropy Tech Survey, and emphasizes the importance of data governance, privacy, and inclusive access to AI tools. Throughout the conversation, she and Nathan explore the philosophical and practical implications of AI in the nonprofit world, the democratization of technology, and the sector's responsibility to maintain trust and resilience in communities.

The dialogue concludes with Jean sharing her favorite AI tools, practical advice for navigating the tech landscape, and a call for collaboration to ensure technology aligns with and enhances philanthropy's core mission.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

[01:16] Impact House: A Hub for Collaboration and Change-Makers in Chicago

[03:10] Jean's Career Journey and Transition to TAG

[08:52] Jean's Accidental Tech Journey

[14:39] Responsible AI Adoption Framework

[18:06] Learnings from State of Philanthropy Tech Survey

[23:09] Philanthropy's Role in AI Adoption

[27:33] Trust and Resilience in Philanthropy

[30:20] Jean's Go-To AI Tool

TIPS AND TOOLS TO IMPLEMENT TODAY

• Create environments to encourage innovation and community-building.
• Leverage tools to streamline operations and enhance impact.
• Adopt frameworks to ensure AI aligns with your mission and maintains trust.
• Invest in policies to ensure privacy, security, and quality data for AI adoption.
• Involve all levels of your team in adopting and governing new technologies.
• Encourage asking questions and exploring tools like ChatGPT or Claude to understand their potential.
• Ensure grant makers and recipients are on the same page regarding tech and AI use.
• Incorporate diverse perspectives to address complex challenges in tech adoption.
• Use technology to address the root causes of societal issues and adapt to rapid change.
• Experiment with AI tools integrated into daily workflows, tailoring choices to fit organizational needs.

RESOURCES

Connect with Jean:

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/jeanwestrick

Mentioned in the episode:

State of Philanthropy Tech Survey: tagtech.org/report/2024-state-of-philanthropy-tech-survey/

TAG's AI resources, including our Framework for Responsible AI Adoption in Philanthropy: tagtech.org/ai-resources-for-philanthropy/

Connect with Scott and Nathan

Scott - linkedin.com/in/scott-rosenkrans-916b9139/

Nathan - linkedin.com/in/nathanchappell/