EP 85: Using Data Quality to Unlock AI's Potential in Fundraising with Erin Stender

EP 85: Using Data Quality to Unlock AI's Potential in Fundraising with Erin Stender

Author: Virtuous Software May 14, 2026 Duration: 38:28

In this episode of The Responsive Lab, Carly and Scott sit down with Erin Stender, CMO at Omatic. With nearly a decade at mission-driven tech companies like Classy and Neon One, Erin brings a unique perspective from both the technology side and the nonprofit board member lens.

You'll hear about:

* Why nonprofits feel both excitement and trepidation about AI, and how both responses are completely valid
* How incomplete or inaccurate data creates costly missed opportunities, from major donors not receiving year-end appeals to lapsed donors getting acquisition-level messaging
* Why your CRM serves as the beating heart of your tech ecosystem and how integrations make it more powerful
* How to start cleaning up your data without feeling overwhelmed by beginning with one specific decision you're trying to make
* Using AI to identify blind spots by asking what you don't know rather than just automating what you do know
* Why the mindset shift around AI is often underestimated and how teams can adopt it together


Links from the episode:
* Connect with Erin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-hall-stender-2644264/
* Learn more about Omatic: https://omaticsoftware.com/

Looking for technology that helps you build deeper donor relationships with less work from your team? Learn more at virtuous.org.


Hosted by Virtuous Software, the Responsive Lab Podcast operates at the intersection of mission and method. Each episode is a practical session focused on the tools and strategies reshaping modern philanthropy. We examine real-world cases where software and thoughtful processes solve operational hurdles, helping organizations move beyond simple transactions to foster genuine, lasting relationships with their supporters. The conversation often delves into the how-to details of implementing new systems, training teams, and measuring what truly matters. It’s a resource for nonprofit professionals, technologists, and leaders who believe that operational efficiency and donor-centricity are not opposing goals. You’ll hear from practitioners who are actively rethinking their approach, sharing both successes and lessons learned from the field. This podcast provides a space to consider how technology, when applied with intention, can amplify human connection and drive sustainable impact. Tune in for grounded discussions that blend business acumen with educational insights, all aimed at equipping mission-driven teams for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

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