AI in the Nonprofit sector
We believe improving the way NGOs work with technology will enable increased efficiency and effectiveness at solving our shared goals.
Gen AI is shaking up how organizations operate around the world. The non-profit sector is already behind in grasping, influencing and leveraging Gen AI technologies. Instead of organization by organization efforts, we see a true need for faster collaborative exploration.
The project convenes 15+ INGOs around the topic of AI for joint learning, heated discussion and production of sharable results. The following organisations are involved: The Nature Conservancy, TechSoup, Humanity & Inclusion, International Committee of the Red Cross, Friends of the Earth, WWF, Humanity & Inclusion, UNEP, Caritas Vienna, International Medical Corp, Wildlife Trust, Oxfam, Save the Children, Conservation International, Wildlife Conservation Society, BRAC, and DRC.
Gen AI resources created by the network for NGOs
This is the first version of this set of resources created by members of the network to help you start exploring Gen AI in your work and your organisation.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
Organisational Self assessment on Gen AI*
Self assessment tool for staff driving the topic of Generative AI application within an organisation.
It will allow you to assess an score on categories such as Organisational Structure around Gen AI, Gen AI Strategy, Use Case Validation, Capacity & Skills, Risk & Mitigation, and Wider Ecosystem Engagement.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
Possible GenAI
Pathways for INGOs
Generative AI Pathways is a resource for nonprofits to navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
It offers flexible, customizable pathways for integrating Generative AI into operations, empowering organizations to explore and adopt these technologies responsibly.
* Image created by Google Deepmind AI
NEW
Tools & toolkits
AI for non-profits toolkit
NetHope
A starting point for nonprofit organizations that are embarking on their AI journey. It focuses particularly on generative AI tools, with a range of available solutions and some cautionary advice.
Space 4 Nature
Surrey Wildlife Trust
Space4Nature combines satellite technology and AI to monitor and enhance wildlife habitats, with public participation informing research efforts.
Mapping vulnerable populations
ICRC | International Committee of the Red Cross
This project uses AI to map vulnerable populations, integrating satellite images and social media data to support effective humanitarian planning.
Humanitarian AI Code of Conduct
NetHope
Humanitarian AI Code of Conduct sets responsible standards for AI use in humanitarian work, addressing risks like bias, inequality, and disinformation, while promoting ethical and safe technology deployment.
Foundations of Humane Technology
Center for Humane Technology
Self-paced online course explores the pressing challenges of today’s digital world, offering practical strategies for creating technology that respects human nature, minimizes harmful impacts, and supports fairness and justice.
Gender Equitable AI Toolkit
NetHope
The Gender Equitable AI Toolkit offers nonprofit professionals guidance to ensure AI development promotes gender equity, ethical practices, and inclusivity.
AI risk assessment
The Wildlife Trusts
The AI Risk Assessment sheet helps you assess potential risks and ethical considerations for AI applications in nonprofit tasks, focusing on equity, transparency, bias, and accountability.
Use of AI in Warwickshire
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
This article explores how AI and technologies like laser scanning, satellite imagery, and eDNA profiling are aiding wildlife restoration in Warwickshire.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
Delivering on Your
AI Change Initiative*
A guide to help you integrate and mainstream Generative AI within your organisation. This resource contains a series of initiatives and corresponding activities within a generalised organisational change framework to to serve as examples for others. It includes a facilitator’s guide intended to help teams build their own roadmaps for change.
* Image created by Google Deepmind AI
Data Governance Toolkit
NetHope
The Data Governance Toolkit helps nonprofits implement data governance using best practices, offering templates, frameworks, and guidance tailored to the NGO sector.
AI in Emergency Response:
Not the time for experiments
NetHope
This article explores the potential and risks of using AI in humanitarian crises, emphasizing the need for careful, ethical deployment to ensure responsible, effective emergency response.
AI Ethics for Nonprofits - Toolkit
NetHope
The AI Ethics for Nonprofits Toolkit equips social impact organizations to design and deploy AI responsibly, focusing on ethical principles like fairness through practical workshops and resources.
Blogs & articles
Our Approach to AI
The Nature Conservancy
Jennifer Chin (TNC) shares insights into their organization's efforts in the field GenAI.
Hear more about their work and how they are leveraging AI to drive innovation.
Use cases
AI Workshop Template
The Wildlife Trusts
Access to a set of materials to run an AI workshop, to introduce AI concepts, explore its risks and opportunities, and develop ethical guidelines and action plans.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
Policy Alignment on AI Transparency
Partnership on AI
Partnership on AI's report analyzes eight leading policy frameworks for foundation models, focusing on documentation requirements for transparency and safety. It explores interoperability challenges, offers recommendations to promote coordination, and emphasizes the need for global input.
Article | The nonprofit mission at a Generative AI crossroads: Delivering on potential or defending against harm?*
Nonprofits, focused on delivering societal, humanitarian, and environmental benefits, are uniquely positioned to leverage Generative AI's opportunities while addressing its challenges and ethical implications to maximize its potential for positive impact.
Article | It takes a village - Mainstreaming AI within nonprofits
In today’s rapidly changing world, the emergence of Generative AI (GenAI) is no longer a distant vision but a present reality and it is changing the way we work. For non-profits, this indicates a growing opportunity to stay relevant and amplify impact. But let’s be real, integrating AI within non-profit contexts can feel overwhelming.
Perspective on AI
ICRC | International Committee of the Red Cross
Blaise Robert (ICRC) shares insights into their organization’s work in the field of AI.
Learn about their mission, key projects, and how they are leveraging AI to drive innovation and solve critical challenges.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
Short language overview of the most relevant terms with a focus on those that seem most relevant for non-profits.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
Potential Personas on the pathway to Gen AI
Intended to help staff working on Generative AI to tailor approaches and identified incentives.
Using ChatGPT for foresight: Futures wheel
Christian Graham | Innovation Specialist
Friends of the Earth
How to use chatGPT to quickly produce futures wheels— a key tool for futurists
Using ChatGPT for foresight: Scenario Development
Christian Graham | Innovation Specialist
Friends of the Earth
How to use ChatGPT to develop compelling scenarios — another useful tool in the futurist’s kit.
AI Dilemma video
Center for Humane Technology
Tristan Harris and Aza Raskin discuss how existing A.I. capabilities already pose catastrophic risks to a functional society.
AI for Conservation WILDLAB Group
WILDLAB.NET
A global conservation technology network with over 7,600 community members from around the world. Check out this group for news on AI for Conservation.
AI for Sustainability
XPRIZE
AI experts predict how AIs can be used to model environmental systems so we can learn how to reduce human’s impact on the planet and build a more sustainable planet.
Click to access
Harnessing AI for Environmental Justice
As AI advances, its environmental and social impacts must be addressed. This report by Friends of the Earth, funded by the Green Screen Coalition, outlines principles for responsible AI use—balancing innovation with sustainability, equality, and human rights. Explore how AI can support a fair, fossil-free future.
RESOURCE BY THE NETWORK
AI Supertools
The Rundown AI
An interactive library of some of the most useful AI tools available today — organized and categorized in one spot.
Reports
How to Write Effective Prompts
with I.M.P.A.C.T.
Techsoup
Generative AI technologies are changing the way organizations work. But in order to fully benefit from these technologies, crafting effective prompts is pivotal. This guide is designed to help nonprofit organizations optimize their communication efforts and develop clear, purposeful, and actionable prompts.
How to Leverage Microsoft Copilot
for Fundraising
Techsoup
This guide is designed to help nonprofit organizations optimize their communication efforts and develop clear, purposeful, and actionable prompts. We will explore strategies, techniques, and best practices along with prompt writing examples and templates to help you extract the maximum value from this groundbreaking technology.
AI Usage Policy Guide
Techsoup
This guide is focused on generative AI solutions as these are currently the most common AI technologies used by nonprofits. If your organization uses other kinds of AI you will need to adjust the policy document according to the specific use cases and challenges the technology poses. Use this guide to navigate developing an acceptable AI usage policy.
Harnessing AI for environmental justice
Friends of the Earth
Principles and practices to guide climate justice and digital rights campaigners in the responsible use of AI.
Click to access
How AI Can Unlock Green Transformation
This pre-study by WWF Sweden and AI Sweden explores AI’s potential to tackle societal challenges like disinformation and polarization, enabling informed decisions and accelerating green transformation. It also highlights opportunities in the food retail sector. Discover how AI can drive positive change for a sustainable future.
Organisations that we are collaborating with on the topic that have
further resource pages and trainings to check out
This effort is set-up as a working group across INGOs with a combination of Innovation leads, Digital Transformation Leads and Gen AI leads combined in one group. 12 of the members met in Geneva in April 2024 to exchange and produce resources for the network. Some of the questions very present in the group was:
How might INGOs change because of Gen AI?
What are priorities INGOs can focus on when mainstreaming and leveraging Gen AI in their organisation?
What might a positive vision of Gen AI look like?
What are risks & ethical concerns connected to Gen AI within the non-profit sector and how these might be mitigated within and across INGOs?
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