Centre for Digital Innovation
in Philanthropy and Fundraising
Developing digital innovation technologies for the benefit of the charity sector
The Centre for Digital Innovation in Philanthropy and Fundraising (CDIPF) exists to foster partnerships amongst researchers, nonprofit organisations, philanthropists, and commercial businesses, that help develop digital innovation technologies for the benefit of the charity sector.
The CDIPF is a new collaboration between the School of Arts and Creative Technologies and the Office for Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA) at the University of York
The centre brings together a community of researchers from across the University of York - the Departments of Sociology, English, Philosophy, History of Art, the School of Business and Society, as well as the Humanities Research Centre and the Borthwick Institute for Archives. Working in partnership with stakeholders is integral to our approach, these include the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, the UK’s membership body for professional fundraisers, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and representatives from the grant-making world including the Wolfson Foundation.
We aim to provide research-based insights to inform the design of AI-driven services and products by businesses to empower and support philanthropy and fundraising practices be more effective, more transparent and more accessible. The centre focuses on nurturing and developing interdisciplinary research teams and collaborating with nonprofit organisations, philanthropists, and businesses in order to:
- Facilitate the adoption of AI-driven digital technologies across the philanthropy and nonprofit sector
- Deliver skills to fundraisers and philanthropists based on the application of responsible and ethical guidelines in AI;
- Conduct practical and prototyping research with non-profit organisations;
- Advance our understanding of present and past practices and trends in philanthropic behaviour and fundraising activities to support fundraising capabilities and encourage philanthropy.
Related links
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Leadership
Event: Nonprofit AI. Artificial Intelligence for the Social Good: Book Launch, 7th July 2025
Join us on 7th July for an engaging panel discussion exploring the present and future of AI in the nonprofit sector and its role in supporting philanthropy and fundraising in ways that are responsible, ethical and inclusive.
We welcome Nathan Chappell MBA, MNA, CFRE (a global expert on the intersection of AI and generosity, and advisory board member of the Centre, with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership.
Nathan will join us to talk about the inspiration behind his new book, and to share his views on the current and future role of AI in providing digital innovation for the nonprofit sector.
Innovation is at the heart of growing giving. We are delighted to be a partner in this very much needed research centre, which will deliver state of the art innovation in digital technologies to support and benefit the fundraising community at large.
Rob Cope, Executive Director Membership & Charitable Giving, Chartered Institute of Fundraising
Research and innovation focus areas
Shaping the future of fundraising with AI
Herrero, M., Hook, J. Haworth, M., Droop, H. and Concannon, S. 2025
Chartered Institute of Fundraising.
Read the full Shaping the Future of Fundraising with AI (PDF 
, 598kb) report
Read the summarised Shaping the Future of Fundraising with AI (PDF , 211kb) report
Responsible AI in nonprofit fundraising
Covid-19 and fundraising. Collaboration with CIoF
At Fundraising.AI, we're excited to partner with the Centre for Digital Innovation in Philanthropy and Fundraising. This centre is not merely a beacon of progress; it is a modern imperative where the future of philanthropy and fundraising is being reimagined and reshaped through AI-driven innovation. By integrating responsible and beneficial AI practices, the centre aims to empower a new era of philanthropists and nonprofit leaders to expand their reach and impact, turning visionary ideas into real-world outcomes. It’s an honour to collaborate with such a dedicated team, driving forward our shared commitment to harnessing digital innovation for the greater good.
Nathan Chappell, Founder, Fundraising.AI
Digital storytelling
PhD and MRes students
Chaoyu Zhang, Designing Personalized Narratives for Nonprofits to Enhance Philanthropic Engagement through Generative AI
This research examines how AI-driven storytelling can support grassroots, nonprofit organisations in creating personalised and emotionally resonant narratives that promote inclusivity and engagement.
Zulfiya Hamzaki, Your Heritage/Your Story-a collaboration with the Council for British Archaeology (funded by AHRC/XR stories)
This research explores the emerging form of the interactive documentary to help achieve inclusivity in archaeology and heritage through a practice-based, co-creative project, aimed at increasing public engagement and fundraising.
It’s a privilege to collaborate with the Centre for Digital Innovation in Philanthropy and Fundraising, a vital catalyst for change that unites academia, NGOs, and the commercial sector to shape the digital future of philanthropy.
Kari Poutanen, Director, Education Industry Practice, Fluido, an InfoSys company
Publications
Academic journals
Blogs
What new research into arts and higher education fundraisers shows about their resilience
Research by Dr Marta Herrero and Dr Simone Kraemer about fundraisers pre-COVID-19 offers a reminder of just the types of competencies we can expect from them during the pandemic and beyond.
University of York Collaborators
Department of Philosophy, Professor Tom Stoneham
Department of Sociology, Dr Jenny Chubb
Department of History of Art, Professor Michael White
CoSTAR LiveLAB, Professor Helena Daffern, Professor Gavin Kearne
Centre of Safe Autonomy and AI, Professor Ana Cavalcanti, Professor Philip Garnett
Bioscience Technology Facility, Head of Data Science, Alaistair Droop
Department of English, Professor Helen Smith
School for Business and Society, Professor Snehasish Banerjee and Dr Anjan Pal
Advisory Board:
Dr Shauna Concannon, Durham University - Assistant Professor Computer Science
Ceri Edwards, The Chartered Institute of Fundraising - Executive Director of Change
Pamela Agar, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) - Europe Director
Jonathan May, Hubbub Fundraising - CEO and Founder
Kari Poutanen, Fluido, an Infosys Company - Director Education Industry Practice
Paul Ramsbottom, CEO, The Wolfson Foundation
Ross Sleight, Global Strategic Growth at CI&T
Nathan Chappell, AI Fundraising - Founder
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