Fundraising the future: technology powering the next generation of impact

Revolutionizing Philanthropy: How AI and Technology are Powering the Future of Fundraising for Critical Causes

At Web Summit Vancouver 2026, the discussion highlighted technology’s pivotal role in modern fundraising, particularly for cancer research. Ms. Anne Donohoe, SVP and Chief Strategy Officer at BC Cancer Foundation, introduced her organization as the fundraising partner for BC Cancer, a unique provincial system with multiple centers and world-class research. Their mission is to accelerate innovations and drive wide-impact solutions in cancer care.

Mr. Kevin McDearis, Executive Vice President and CTO at Blackbaud, presented his company as a leading provider of AI-powered solutions for the social impact sector. Blackbaud develops technology for nonprofits, educational institutions, and foundations, enabling them to enhance fundraising, optimize operations, and achieve greater community outcomes by leveraging decades of specialized data and expertise. This partnership is fundamental, with Blackbaud’s CRM managing 900,000 individual records, transactions, and communications, forming the “lifeblood” of the Foundation’s operations.

Mr. McDearis explained that AI’s purpose is to alleviate administrative burdens, freeing human staff for invaluable tasks like relationship building, strategic judgment, and compelling storytelling. He noted the significant pressures facing the social impact sector, including staffing shortages and declining alternative funding. Ms. Donohoe added that fewer individuals are donating, yet overall revenue is increasing from a smaller, more concentrated group, intensifying competition as government funding diminishes while demand for cancer support grows.

Blackbaud, with its long history in AI, recently launched its “Development agent” to streamline donor engagement. Mr. McDearis emphasized the paramount importance of trust and responsible AI deployment. He assured that Blackbaud’s AI models are rigorously trained on secure, isolated, sector-specific customer data, not broad public sources, to ensure accuracy, minimize “hallucinations,” and build user confidence in the technology.

Both speakers unequivocally affirmed the enduring necessity of the human element in philanthropy. Ms. Anne Donohoe stressed that relationships and trust are central to their mission, involving supporting individuals through their cancer journeys, acknowledging their gratitude, and enabling them to share personal stories. While AI enhances efficiency and facilitates deeper connections, it is designed to augment, not replace, the empathetic human touch in fundraising.

Early results from Blackbaud’s AI development agent are highly encouraging, with early adopters reporting superior fundraising success and increased revenue. Ms. Donohoe provided an example of AI’s impact, detailing how it helps connect donors with transformative projects, such as funding AI models that predict mental health support needs for cancer patients. This capability is vital for BC Cancer Foundation to secure the substantial, transformative gifts required for its $100 million organization. AI’s capacity for profound customization, delivering tailored messages illustrating the direct impact of contributions, coupled with its ability to identify prospective major donors and accelerate the lengthy cultivation process, substantially boosts fundraising effectiveness and helps achieve ambitious philanthropic objectives.