Learn For Life: Free Webinar Series

FUNDRAISING IN THE AGE OF AI: SMARTER STRATEGIES FOR MISSION-DRIVEN ORGANIZATIONS

Artificial intelligence is changing how organizations discover funding opportunities, assess their fit, build relationships with funders, and make strategic decisions about where to invest their limited time and resources. Yet technology alone cannot raise money. Sustainable fundraising still depends on a compelling mission, organizational readiness, trusted relationships, and the ability to communicate measurable impact.

In this webinar, social impact leader and Grant Logic AI founder Bevon Joseph will draw on nearly 15 years of experience building and scaling mission-driven organizations, raising millions of dollars, and developing technology that helps organizations make smarter funding decisions. Participants will explore practical ways to strengthen their fundraising strategy, use AI responsibly, identify opportunities beyond traditional grant searches, and avoid wasting valuable time pursuing funding that is not a strong fit.

The session will be relevant to nonprofit leaders as well as social entrepreneurs and mission-driven businesses seeking capital to expand their impact.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

This webinar is appropriate for:

• Nonprofit professionals responsible for fundraising, grants, programs, or organizational growth.
• Social entrepreneurs and mission-driven business owners seeking funding to expand their impact.
• Grant writers and consultants who want to use AI more strategically and responsibly.
• Leaders and aspiring leaders building organizations, programs, or community-based initiatives.
   

HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT

• Understand how AI is changing grant discovery, fundraising strategy, and funding decisions.
• Learn how to assess whether a funding opportunity truly fits your organization.
• Identify common fundraising mistakes that consume time without producing results.
• Gain practical strategies for combining technology, organizational readiness, storytelling, and relationships.
• Explore funding opportunities beyond traditional grants, including partnerships and other forms of mission-aligned capital.

PRESENTER

Bevon Joseph is a social impact leader, technology entrepreneur, author, and DePaul SCPS alumnus with nearly 15 years of experience creating pathways to education, careers, capital, and economic opportunity. He is the founder of Grant Logic AI, a decision-intelligence platform that helps nonprofits, businesses, and community organizations identify and evaluate funding opportunities more strategically. He also leads Bevon’s Mentee Network and Campus Coin Invest, initiatives focused on mentorship, AI literacy, financial education, and workforce development.

Before entering the social-impact sector, Bevon built his career in technology and financial services at institutions including JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, UBS, and other investment firms. He later founded the Greenwood Project and helped grow it from a small Chicago initiative into a nationally recognized organization. Across his work, Bevon has raised millions of dollars, built public-private partnerships, and worked with companies, nonprofits, schools, city governments, and community leaders across the country.

HUMAN FLUENCY IN AN AI WORLD 

As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes embedded in everyday work, many organizations are discovering a surprising truth: technology isn’t the hardest part of adoption. The real challenges show up in judgment, trust, accountability, decision ownership, and the quality of human conversations that surround AI-enabled work. 

This interactive webinar introduces Human Fluency® as a practical lens for navigating work in an AI enabled world. Rather than focusing on tools or technical capability, the session focuses on how people, teams, and leaders must think, decide, and work differently because AI exists. 

Participants will explore why AI raises—not reduces—the importance of human judgment, ethical responsibility, and clear decision-making. Using real cross industry patterns and live polls, this webinar surfaces where AI initiatives most often stall and what human capabilities determine whether AI actually delivers value. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND 

This webinar is appropriate for: 

• Individual contributors working with AI enabled tools.
• Managers leading teams through AI driven change.
• Senior leaders shaping AI expectations, strategy, and culture.
• HR, learning, and transformation professionals supporting adoption. 

WHAT WE WILL COVER 

• Why AI isn’t the hard part.
• What AI exposes in human systems.
• Common myths that quietly derail AI adoption.
• What changes with AI—and what doesn’t.
• Human skills that rise in value as AI scales.
• Role-based implications. 

KEY TAKEAWAY 

AI doesn’t replace human judgment—it raises the bar for it. Successful AI adoption depends far less on the sophistication of the technology and far more on how fluent people and organizations are in judgment, responsibility, and meaningful human interaction. In an AI world, Human Fluency® isn’t optional—it’s essential. 

PRESENTER 

Stephen Carman, PhD is a speaker, trainer, and coach who helps organizations turn strategy into real, lasting behavior change. He works closely with leaders and global teams, in his role with FranklinCovey, to move ideas out of the slide deck and into everyday leadership practice. With a background spanning client success, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, Stephen brings a practical, human-centered approach to performance. He also teaches leadership and personal effectiveness at DePaul University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies and co-founded Human FLuency®, focused on improving leadership, collaboration, and the quality of human interaction.

THE COST OF SILENCE: STRATEGIES FOR COLLABORATIVE COMMUNICATION 

Silence in the workplace isn’t neutral—it’s costly. But it’s also incredibly common. The good news is that when people learn to communicate with clarity, courage, and curiosity, everything improves—trust deepens, collaboration strengthens, and conversations become more human and effective. 

In this engaging session, communications expert and strategic storyteller Jenny Riddle explores what silence is really costing you and how intentional communication can replace friction with connection. Drawing on research, real-world examples, and practical communication tools, Jenny teaches participants how to speak with purpose, listen with presence, and navigate hard conversations with more confidence and care.

Whether you're leading, collaborating, or simply trying to improve your day-to-day interactions, you’ll leave with practical strategies you can use immediately to communicate more clearly and build stronger relationships at work. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND 

This webinar is appropriate for: 

• Professionals who want to feel more confident speaking up.
• Anyone navigating conflict, collaboration, or hybrid communication.
• Leaders and aspiring leaders who want to build trust and strengthen connections.
• Individuals who want to improve listening, clarity, and presence in their interactions. 

HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT 

By the end of the webinar, you will be able to: 

• Recognize the real cost of silence—and how to break the cycle.
• Set clear intentions using the “3 A’s”: Aim, Attitude, and Attention.
• Communicate with clarity and conciseness using tools like the Rule of 3.
• Navigate difficult or high-stakes conversations with greater confidence and care. 

PRESENTER 

Jenny Riddle is a communications expert, keynote speaker, and storyteller with more than 20 years of experience in teaching, performing, speaking, and consulting. She holds an M.A. in English from DePaul University and has taught college and high school English, speech, and drama. Jenny has been published in Forbes, serves on the Chicago leadership team for Ellevate, and is widely known for bringing great ideas to life through story. 

Jenny leads interactive workshops for organizations ranging from small nonprofits to major corporations, and she provides keynote presentations and 1:1 coaching on public speaking, communication, and strategic storytelling. She is known for translating communication theory into practical, real-world tools that are creative, human, and memorable.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE IN ACTION

Restorative Justice in Action is an unfiltered conversation with Shawnee Williams, one of Illinois’ leading voices for social equity in the cannabis industry. In this session, Shawnee will share her personal journey—from fighting for change at the Capitol, to watching equity promises fall short, to finally stepping up and becoming the change by applying for funding via the Restore, Reinvest, and Renew Program (R3). Join us as she breaks down what it really took to be the change she wanted to see in her community. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND 

This session is for anyone interested in the cannabis industry, equity, social justice, or workforce development. Whether you’re a current or prospective student, aspiring cannabis professional, community organizer, or simply curious about how restorative justice works in real life—this session offers a powerful lens and practical roadmap. 

HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT 

By the end of the webinar, you will: 

• Learn from real-life experience how to build community power through workforce and policy strategies.
• Understand how cannabis legislation connects to racial and economic justice.
• Gain insight into the barriers and opportunities in the industry for justice-impacted individuals.
• Walk away with next steps, practical takeaways, and encouragement to take action—whether you're an advocate, entrepreneur, or student. 

PRESENTER 

Shawnee Williams, SHRM-CP is a nationally recognized HR strategist, workforce equity advocate, and founder of Illinois Equity Staffing. With years of experience helping cannabis businesses hire inclusively and equitably, Shawnee has been at the frontlines of implementing cannabis social equity in action. Her work spans human resources strategy, grant management, and workforce development. With the 3rd highest scoring R3 Cohort 2 application and program meeting 100% of performance measures, Shawnee brings passion and purpose to every room she enters, while keeping it real.