Philanthropy and AI: Guides and Toolkits

This article offers high-level considerations that organizations should address before adopting AI on a broad level and recommendations for adopting best practices when employing AI.

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is rapidly transforming our world, and the nonprofit sector is no exception. Educating ourselves and promoting conversations about this technology and how we can develop responsible strategies to use it is a critical first step. Together, we can use these learning to protect the sector from the risks that AI contains and, in turn, take advantage of its potential to serve our communities better. To do this, Independent Sector has compiled some key resources that can help nonprofit organizations navigate this new world, design internal strategies for implementing AI in their organizations, and prevent the associated risks.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t just a buzzword – it’s a valuable tool that can help nonprofits raise more for their mission. Yet a small number of nonprofits have made efforts to adopt AI, often citing fear of the unknown as their most common hesitation to implementation.
This guide will pull back the curtain to AI for nonprofits, sharing everything you need to know about incorporating it into your organization.

This paper provides an overview of how and why AI is important, how it can be used by nonprofit organizations, and the unique opportunities available to nonprofits when their work is infused with AI. Finally, we will discuss the ethical, privacy, and equity challenges that also come along with the AI revolution. The paper also includes an AI Readiness Checklist and a list of resources for nonprofits to read to get up to speed.

Rachel Sams is Lead Consultant and Editor at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. As she researched AI risk for nonprofits over the past year, she experienced every stage of this framework multiple times. Reach her with thoughts and questions about how to manage artificial intelligence risk at rachel@nonprofitrisk.org or (505) 456-4045.

Nonprofits began exploring and using AI technologies as early as the late 1990s and early 2000s. However, the use of AI in the nonprofit sector significantly increased and diversified more recently, especially with advancements in AI technology, increased accessibility, and growing awareness of its potential applications.
A Nonprofit’s Guide to Understanding and Getting Started with AI.