University Launches Pioneering Centre Hoping to Shape the Future of Fundraising with AI
Posted on 8 May 2025
Whether it’s researchers, charity professionals, or those in commercial businesses, the Centre brings together those who are working with the digital innovation technologies of the future. The Centre’s goal is to make fundraising more effective, transparent and accessible.
A joint venture between the School of Arts and Creative Technologies and the Office for Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni (OPPA), the Centre is led by:
- Dr Marta Herrero, Reader in Creative Industries Management
- Professor Jonathan Hook, Professor in Interactive Media
- Mary Haworth, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships and Alumni
The team hopes to equip fundraisers with ethical digital skills, conduct applied research with non profit organisations, and deepen understanding of philanthropic trends.
To mark the launch of the Centre on Friday 25 April, a special panel discussion explored the power of digital storytelling and the application of AI in fundraising. The panel featured experts like Pamela Agar, the Director of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), as well as Jonathan May, CEO and Founder of the digital fundraising platform Hubbub.
Attendees also got an exclusive preview of the Centre’s inaugural research report, created in collaboration with the Institute of Fundraising.
The launch was commemorated with a hand-printed postcard produced by York’s Thin Ice Press, featuring the inspiring words of Mary McLeod Bethune: “As I give, I get.” - a fitting reminder of the day’s purpose.
Connecting academic research with impact in the real world, the Centre is set to become a leading voice in advancing digital transformation across the landscape of non profits and charities.
If you’d like to read more about the Centre and its bold ambitions, head to the Centre for Digital Innovation in Philanthropy and Fundraising website.