Call for Papers

Leveraging AI in Fundraising – Opportunities and Challenges

The Texas Advancement Analytics Symposium (TAAS) invites academics, industry professionals, AI experts, philanthropy leaders, and analytics experts to contribute their insights and research on the burgeoning field of Artificial Intelligence in fundraising. As AI technologies are on the verge of revolutionizing the way we approach philanthropy and donor engagement, we seek to understand the use cases, potential benefits, risks, and ethical considerations associated with wide-scale adoption.

Topics of Interest

We are seeking original, high-quality submissions on a range of topics related to AI in fundraising, including but not limited to:

• Guidelines for Implementing AI in Fundraising: Best practices, frameworks, and standards for integrating AI into fundraising strategies.
• Early Adoption of AI in Philanthropy: Case studies, success stories, and lessons learned from early adopters of AI in the fundraising sector.
• Practical Use Cases of AI in Fundraising: Innovative applications of AI that have transformed donor engagement, prospect research, campaign strategies, and more.
• Infrastructure Requirements for AI in Fundraising: Essential technological and organizational infrastructure to support the successful implementation of AI.
• Defining AI in the Context of Fundraising: Clarification of terms, concepts, and the scope of AI technologies applicable to fundraising.
• Enhancing Efficiency through AI: How AI can streamline operations, personalize donor interactions, and optimize fundraising campaigns for better outcomes.
• Navigating Privacy and Data Loss Concerns: Strategies to address data privacy, security challenges, and mitigate risks associated with data handling in AI applications.
• Ethical Considerations in AI-Driven Fundraising: Ethical frameworks, accountability, and maintaining donor trust in the age of AI.
• Fostering a Self-Service Culture: Empowering donors and stakeholders with AI-driven tools and platforms that promote engagement and self-service.
• Vendor vs. DIY AI Applications in Fundraising: Comparative analyses of off-the-shelf AI solutions versus custom-built AI applications tailored to specific fundraising needs.

The Texas Advancement Analytics Symposium invites you to consider these questions and to submit paper proposals in response to the above stated theme. Proposals are due no later than Friday, May 3rd, 2024. Accepted submissions will be presented at the virtual symposium in August of 2024 with final papers published in the Journal of Advancement Analytics (JAA), Volume V. We welcome proposals that address both theoretical and practical applications of analytics in advancement, including case studies.

Submission Criteria

Proposals should be submitted as a .DOCX file. They should contain:

1. An abstract between 250-500 words in length
2. A paper outline 1-2 pages in length

For questions on potential proposal topics and for submission guidance please reach out to TAAS@austin.utexas.edu

Evaluation Criteria

Abstracts will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The originality of ideas/approach and level of innovation
• Relevance for advancement analytics and the defined theme
• Presentation: coherence of clarity of structure and thought
• Contribution to advancement analytics theory/solution building

To submit, please email your proposal using the button above or to TAAS@austin.utexas.edu. Submissions must be received no later than Friday, May 3rd, 2024 to be considered.

Submissions must NOT have been previously presented, scheduled for presentation, published, accepted for publication, and if under review, must NOT appear in print before the symposium.