Community IT Innovators Nonprofit Technology Topics

Carolyn Woodard explores voice AI in the social services sector with Chip Kennedy, founder and CEO of CivicReach, a technology company building AI-powered communication tools for nonprofits and government agencies delivering human services. Chip brings a rare dual perspective: years as a technologist and startup founder alongside his role and experience running a nonprofit serving families experiencing homelessness.When people we serve need information, how can we get it to them? When our nonprofits free up employee time by using technology - in this case Voice AI to answer simple questions in incoming calls - what else can those staff members do with that time? Can emerging technology help staff up government agencies and nonprofits who are chronically understaffed and under resourced, without losing the trust of the communities they care about? The conversation digs into how voice AI is helping under-resourced social services organizations close the gap between people asking for help and the staff trying to reach them. Chip is candid that voice AI is not the right fit for every organization, and he shares how to evaluate whether it is right for yours. He also makes a compelling case that AI-driven phone intake is not a job displacement risk in human services – a sector so chronically understaffed that organizations are more likely to redeploy freed-up staff capacity than lose positions.Carolyn and Chip discuss:Why human services is one sector where job displacement fears around AI largely don't apply – and what freed-up staff capacity actually looks like in practice.How to evaluate whether voice AI is a good fit for your organization before committing to a vendor. What are the questions to ask about their business model, their data policy, and their understanding of your nonprofit mission.The value of running a structured technology pilot, why more nonprofits should be asking vendors for one, and how to ask.How to build internal champions and skeptics into your pilot team so you get honest feedback at the end.Three questions every nonprofit should ask any AI vendor: where does your data go, how will our organization have to change, and how do you plan to stay sustainable?Resources Mentioned:CivicReach – https://civicreach.ai _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers the UN's first-ever independent scientific assessment of AI — and what its findings mean for nonprofits navigating questions of data rights, economic disruption, and who actually benefits from AI's rapid rise. This episode connects the global governance conversation to practical tools and timely opportunities your organization can act on right now.From the Indigenous Data Sovereignty movement to a free geospatial tool built by a nonprofit, to two fellowship programs with deadlines this week, there's a lot here for organizations at every stage of AI engagement.This episode covers:Released July 1, the UN's Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI — co-chaired by AI scientist Yoshua Bengio and Nobel Peace Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa — warns that AI is advancing faster than governments can keep up, and that the window for effective global governance is open but closing. The US controls 75% of the world's top AI computing power; China holds another 15%.The Indigenous Data Sovereignty movement holds that data about a community belongs to that community, not to whoever collected it. This principle, developed largely by Indigenous communities, is one of the most fully realized frameworks for data rights globally and directly informs broader movements like the Better Deal for Data (discussed with Jim Fruchterman last Friday). The Indigenous Data Alliance has an open application for its year-long paid Indigenous Data Champions Fellowship, open to Indigenous individuals working with Tribal Nations, Alaska Native communities, Native Hawaiians, or Indigenous Island Territories. Deadline: August 1.Beacon, from nonprofit DataKind, is a free geospatial platform that you can use to overlay public data on health, housing, food access, demographics - with your own program data, to generate maps and insights. DataKind does not sell your data, doesn't share it without consent, and writes its privacy policy to GDPR standard. As with any platform, consult your privacy officer before uploading sensitive constituent data.GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is the EU's gold standard for data privacy, and it applies to your organization if anyone in the EU interacts with you, regardless of where you're based. Core principles: collect only what you need, be transparent, get consent, tell everyone in your database if you have a breach, and honor deletion requests. Note: California's CCPA/CPRA is modeled on similar principles, though most nonprofits are exempt from that law. Even if neither applies to you, these are excellent data hygiene standards for any organization that wants to maintain community trust.UBI (Universal Basic Income) gives individuals direct cash payments with no strings attached. UBC (Universal Basic Capital) gives people an ownership stake in AI companies, so they share in the wealth AI generates. Senator Bernie Sanders recently introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which would give the public a 50% ownership stake in major AI firms. Anthropic's June 2026 Economic Policy Framework also proposed sovereign wealth funds and equity-sharing as potential redistribution mechanisms — acknowledging that the companies building these tools see real policy problems ahead.Two fellowship deadlines this week: the OpenAI People-First AI Fund offers grants to US community nonprofits in legal aid, community arts, and local journalism — no AI experience or OpenAI tools required, deadline July 15. Claude Corps from Anthropic places early-career fellows at nonprofits for one year at $85K; both fellow and host org applications for the October 2026 cohort close July 17. Note: host orgs must currently be Claude for Nonprofits customers to apply.Resources Mentioned:Executive Summary – Independent International Scientific Panel on AI – United Nations – https://www.un.org/independent-international-scientific-panel-ai/en/preliminary-reportIndigenous Data Champions Fellowship – Indigenous Data Alliance – https://indigenousdata.org/indigenous-data-championsBeacon – DataKind – https://explorebeacon.orgGDPR for Nonprofits – Whole Whale – https://wholewhale.com/tips/gdpr-for-nonprofits/GDPR Compliance Checklist for Charities – Usercentrics – https://usercentrics.com/knowledge-hub/gdpr-for-charities/California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) – California Attorney General – https://www.oag.ca.gov/privacy/ccpaBernie Sanders on the AI Sovereign Wealth Fund – WIRED – https://youtu.be/qJo12OP0xlU?si=QrXlo4bP5MiCdbrtAmerican AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act – Senator Bernie Sanders – https://www.sanders.senate.gov/press-releases/news-sanders-introduces-legislation-to-create-7-trillion-ai-sovereign-wealth-fund/Economic Policy Framework – Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com/policy-on-the-ai-exponential/epfThe Atlantic: Universal Basic Capital revival – https://www.theatlantic.com/economy/2026/07/universal-basic-capital-ai/687759/ (paywalled; free account access available)Forbes: Could Americans Build Wealth Through AI? https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2026/06/06/could-americans-build-wealth-through-ai-why-trump-may-be-considering-equity-sharing-scheme/People-First AI Fund – OpenAI Foundation – https://openaifoundation.org/news/2026-people-first-ai-fundClaude Corps – Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com/claude-corpsBetter Deal for Data – Tech Matters – https://bd4d.orgAI Acceptable Use Policy Template – Community IT Innovators – https://communityit.com/template-acceptable-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-nonprofit-workplace/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard explores responsible data governance and AI realism with Jim Fruchterman, MacArthur Fellow and founder of Tech Matters, a tech-for-good nonprofit building open source software for the social sector. Jim's work sits at the intersection of two urgent questions every nonprofit is wrestling with right now: what do you owe the people whose data you collect, and how do you make smart decisions about AI without getting swept up in the hype?Jim introduces the Better Deal for Data, a new data governance movement built around seven plain-language commitments nonprofits can make to the communities they serve. The core idea: you don't own the data of the people you serve, tech vendors may be extracting it right now without your knowledge, and a basic data safeguarding policy should be as standard as a child safeguarding policy. He also explains why you can't build a responsible AI governance policy without first getting clear on your data governance.Then the conversation shifts to AI strategy, where Jim draws on decades of experience as an early AI entrepreneur to offer a genuinely grounded take. Gen AI fails in nonprofit program delivery about 80% of the time, and that's still a much better track record than blockchain or the metaverse. Jim and Carolyn discuss:The seven Better Deal for Data commitments and why the average nonprofit can likely adopt them in two hoursHow tech vendors quietly extract and monetize constituent data through survey tools, donor management platforms, and moreWhy data governance and AI governance are inseparable, and why feeding confidential client data into a free AI tool violates bothThe case for nonprofits pooling anonymized data to build better AI models for social impact, with real-world examples from MomConnect and Community SolutionsWhy Jim recommends most nonprofits wait for proven AI products rather than build, and what RAG-based tools are actually delivering results right nowWhy being two or three years behind the for-profit AI curve might actually put nonprofits five to ten years ahead of where they were last yearResources Mentioned:Better Deal for Data – Tech Matters – https://bd4d.orgNonprofit AI Treasure Map – Tech Matters – https://techmatters.org/should-i-be-using-ai-for-this/Technology for Good – Jim Fruchterman – https://fruchterman.org/book/ or at your library or local bookstore! (Free ebook version coming September 2026)Tech Matters Podcast – Jim Fruchterman – https://open.spotify.com/show/17Gptwy6BnxhpBJiPuSNGeMomConnect – South African National Department of Health – https://www.health.gov.za/momconnect/Community Solutions / Built for Zero – https://community.solutionsTech Matters – https://techmatters.org _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

If last week's episode left you wondering what you can actually do about data center development in your community, this week's episode is the flip side. Carolyn Woodard shares a new national workforce initiative just launched last week, then digs into the tools and resources available for nonprofits and community members who want to shape how AI infrastructure gets built - before it arrives, not after.She also closes with a look at what's happening in Europe and Africa, tying it back to an earlier episode on how where you are in the world determines the environmental footprint of your AI use, and why that makes local action matter globally.This episode covers:RAISE US, a new national nonprofit launched June 25 with bipartisan leadership from former Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and former Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, has secured more than $500 million toward a $1 billion goal. Anchor partners include Amazon, Anthropic, Microsoft, and the OpenAI Foundation. If you work in workforce development in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maryland, or Utah, pay attention now, pilots are beginning.The Virginia legislature just wrapped its biannual budget, and the data center tax break fight made it in. Legislators kept the existing break but imposed a new tax on large data center companies to offset it with more to come next session. A local example of the policy battle playing out in real time, and ways that citizen involvement makes a difference in statewide policy.The Erin Brockovich Data Center Reporting Project lets citizens report data center problems - energy, noise, water - but also has a "Communities Making a Difference" map that documents real wins. Community organizing is working.41 mayors from six continents — representing more than 90 million people — signed the Global Urban Data Centres Pact at London Climate Action Week on June 23. About half the signatories are U.S. cities including Seattle, Chicago, Miami, Phoenix, and Palo Alto. They're setting common standards on clean energy, water use, and site selection, creating a benchmark for requirements for other cities and communities to use.Sierra Club's 2026 Data Center Policy Guidance and Good Jobs First's moratorium bill tracker (300+ bills across 30+ states) give you concrete tools to find what's happening in your state and how to plug in.Europe's record-breaking heat wave is straining data center cooling systems and sparking a movement toward European-owned AI infrastructure. The African Development Bank and UNDP have launched a $10 billion initiative so Africa becomes a producer of AI, not a consumer of tools built elsewhere. As Carolyn puts it: the Industrial Revolution took 30–40 years for communities to push back. We don't have to wait that long this time.Resources Mentioned:RAISE US – https://www.raiseus.aiErin Brockovich Data Center Reporting Project – https://brockovichdatacenter.comErin Brokovich Data Center Reporting Project - Victory Map https://brockovichdatacenter.com/community-and-legislation.html#mapCommunities Making a Difference – Brockovich Data Center Project – https://brockovichdatacenter.com/community-impact.htmlGlobal Urban Data Centres Pact – C40 Cities – https://www.c40.org/news/mayors-from-around-the-world-unite-in-call-for-sustainable-urban-data-centres/Sierra Club 2026 Data Center Policy Guidance – Sierra Club – https://www.sierraclub.org/issues/climate/data-centersData Center Moratorium Bill Tracker – Good Jobs First – https://goodjobsfirst.org/data-center-moratorium-bills-are-spreading-in-2026/Africa AI 10 Billion Initiative – African Development Bank – https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-development-bank-undp-and-partners-launch-ai-10-billion-initiative-during-2026-nairobi-ai-forum-91104Why Community Benefit Agreements Are Necessary for Data Centers – Brookings Institution – https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-community-benefit-agreements-are-necessary-for-data-centers/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In Part 2 of the Securing Google Workspace for Nonprofits webinar podcast, Carolyn Woodard and Steve Longenecker, Director of IT Consulting at Community IT, move from foundational configurations into the question every nonprofit eventually asks: do we need to pay for a higher tier of Google Workspace to get real security?The short answer is: probably not right away. Steve walks through the third-party tools that should come before a tier upgrade for most nonprofits: formal security awareness training, third-party backups, advanced email protection, and cloud monitoring. He explains when a paid Google Workspace tier does make sense, particularly for organizations handling financial or healthcare data, legal holds, or complex app integrations. The conversation closes with a lively Q&A session drawn from attendee questions and poll results, covering oversharing in Google Drive, data loss prevention, password strength visibility in the admin console, and how to give staff secure, convenient ways to do their jobs without creating unsecured workarounds.Haven't listened to Part 1 yet? Find it in your podcast feed.This episode covers:Why third-party tools for security awareness training, backups, and advanced email protection are the right next layer for most nonprofits, before considering a paid Google Workspace tier.When upgrading to a paid tier does make sense: handling sensitive financial or healthcare data, e-discovery and legal holds via Google Vault, or managing frequent third-party app integrations.Nonprofits still receive significant discounts on paid Google Workspace tiers -  you just won't get them for free.You can find out which staff members have and haven't set up two-step verification before you enforce it so no one gets locked out unexpectedly.Making security convenient matters as much as making it mandatory: if IT makes it too hard for people to do their jobs, staff will find workarounds.Resources Mentioned:Google for Nonprofits Security Checklist — Google — https://support.google.com/nonprofits/answer/9251886Google Workspace Security Checklist for Small Organizations — Google — https://knowledge.workspace.google.com/admin/security/security-checklist-for-small-businesses-1-100-usersGoogle Workspace Security Checklists (all sizes) — Google — https://knowledge.workspace.google.com/admin/security/security-checklistsCybersecurity Readiness for Nonprofits Playbook — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/cybersecurity-readiness-for-nonprofits-playbook/Nonprofit Data Retention with Ian Gottesman — Community IT Innovators Podcast — https://communityit.com/podcast-nonprofit-data-retention-with-ian-gottesman/Cybersecurity Resource Hub — NTEN — https://www.nten.org/learn/resource-hubs/cybersecurityNonprofit IT Management Community — Reddit — https://www.reddit.com/r/nonprofitITmanagementWebinar: AI Maturity Model for Nonprofits - Community IT Innovators - https://communityit.com/webinar-ai-maturity-model-for-nonprofits/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers two developing stories this week that together raise a bigger question for nonprofits: as AI infrastructure money floods into communities and philanthropic channels, is your organization ready to navigate it?First, Senator Bernie Sanders has introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act, which would require large AI companies to transfer half their stock to a federally managed public fund, with annual payments going directly to every American. The idea draws on a broader argument gaining traction across the political spectrum: that AI was built on humanity's collective output, and the public deserves a share of what it produces.The second story hits closer to home — literally. What would you do with a one time gift that was more than your annual operating budget? Would you worry about the strings attached? In Fauquier County, Virginia, a data center developer called Gigaland has announced $10 million in grants for 10 local nonprofits, contingent on receiving a building permit. Some nonprofits have said yes, some have said no, and most are waiting to see what happens. This tactic may be coming to a community near you soon. What can citizen groups do locally when up against data center money? This episode also zooms out to look at how Meta, Google, and Amazon run ongoing community grant programs in their data center host communities, and how citizen coalitions in places like Lancaster, Pennsylvania have negotiated binding community benefit agreements instead of accepting gift-bribes.This episode covers:The Sanders bill and the question of who benefits from AI-built-on-public-data.How data center developers are using advance grant offers to nonprofits as a goodwill strategy before permits are approved.The difference between voluntary corporate giving and binding community benefit agreements, and what nonprofits and citizen coalitions can do to push for the latter.Four questions every nonprofit board should think through before a windfall lands: donor displacement, reputational risk, sustainability, and your ability to advocate freely.Why having clear organizational values and a gift acceptance policy in place before the money arrives is the most important preparation you can make.Resources Mentioned:American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act – Senator Bernie Sanders – https://www.sanders.senate.gov/op-eds/the-public-should-own-half-of-the-big-a-i-companies/Exclusive: Gigaland Data Center Developers Offering Millions to Fauquier Nonprofits – FauquierNow – https://www.fauquiernow.com/news/business/exclusive-gigaland-data-center-developers-offering-millions-of-dollars-to-fauquier-nonprofits/article_193216f9-e23a-4aca-ae8f-679846bd2ef1.htmlThe Third Wave of American Philanthropy – Nan Ransohoff – https://nanransohoff.substack.com/p/the-third-wave-of-american-philanthropyFair AI-Fueled Data Center Development for Communities – Federation of American Scientists / Day One Project – https://fas.org/publication/community-benefit-agreements-data-center-development/Why Community Benefit Agreements Are Necessary for Data Centers – Brookings Institution – https://www.brookings.edu/articles/why-community-benefit-agreements-are-necessary-for-data-centers/Lancaster Data Center Agreement's Benefit to Community Questioned – Lancaster Online – https://lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-data-center-agreement-s-benefit-to-community-questioned/article_b2654db6-c6e3-4719-8a0e-1f839c1e325e.htmlIs Your Nonprofit Ready for a Windfall? – Successful Nonprofits – https://successfulnonprofits.com/nonprofit_windfall/Nonprofit Windfalls: Managing Transformative Gifts – PNC Insights – https://www.pnc.com/insights/corporate-institutional/manage-nonprofit-enterprises/you-received-a-windfall-now-what.htmlHave a Plan Ready for When Big Gifts Surprise You – Chronicle of Philanthropy (paywall) – https://www.philanthropy.com/solutions/have-a-plan-ready-for-when-big-gifts-surprise-you/New every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In the first part of this two-part conversation taken from a webinar, Carolyn Woodard and Steve Longenecker, Director of IT Consulting at Community IT Innovators, walk through the security settings, risks, and first steps nonprofits need to know to get the most out of Google Workspace's free nonprofit tier.Google provides a genuinely secure platform, but security is a partnership. Steve explains that the risks nonprofits face in Google Workspace rarely come from Google's infrastructure and almost always come from the configuration decisions made on the customer side. Whether your organization has been on Google for years or just signed up, there are settings in the admin console right now that deserve your attention.Steve and Carolyn cover:Why Google Workspace is a strong platform for nonprofits and what the free nonprofit tier includes, including where it stops and paid tiers or third-party tools pick up.2SV (two-step verification) is Google's term for MFA Multi-Factor-Authentication, and enforcing it for every user account is the single most important step you can take.How phishing, email spoofing, and business email compromise play out specifically in nonprofit environments, and what DNS settings like DMARC and DKIM do to reduce your exposure and protect your organization.Why shared and generic accounts create MFA blind spots, and how Google Groups can be a cleaner alternative for shared inboxes like info@ or [email protected] risks of unmanaged personal Google accounts, inactive user accounts, and overly permissive admin privileges, and how to find and address them in the admin console.Why migrating from My Drive file sharing to Google Shared Drives is a security and governance upgrade, and why it's worth planning carefully before you start.Resources MentionedGoogle Admin Console – Google – https://admin.google.comGoogle for Nonprofits Security Checklist: https://support.google.com/nonprofits/answer/9251886Google Workspace Security Checklist for Small Organizations: https://knowledge.workspace.google.com/admin/security/security-checklist-for-small-businesses-1-100-usersNonprofit IT Management Reddit Community – Reddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/nonprofitITmanagementMigrating Within Google to Use Shared Drives – Community IT Innovators – https://communityit.com/migrating-within-google-to-use-shared-drives/Email Protection and Deliverability (DMARC/DKIM) – Community IT Innovators – https://communityit.com/podcast-email-protection-and-deliverability-with-johan-hammerstrom/Cybersecurity Readiness for Nonprofits Playbook – Community IT Innovators – https://communityit.com/cybersecurity-readiness-for-nonprofits-playbook/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers Anthropic's announcement of Claude Corps, a $150 million national fellowship program placing trained AI fellows inside nonprofit organizations, and gives a quick regulatory update on AI liability and state-level regulation.Claude Corps will train 1,000 early-career fellows on Claude and embed them full-time, in-person at host nonprofits for 12 months. Fellows are employed by CodePath, paid $85,000 plus benefits, and supported by Anthropic and Social Finance, which will handle measurement and evaluation. The first cohort of 100 fellows begins in October 2026, with applications closing July 17th. Host organization applications are also open, and at least 400 nonprofits will participate over the coming years. Carolyn reflects on what this kind of embedded AI capacity could mean for chronically under-resourced nonprofits, while also noting the program's strategic timing ahead of Anthropic's anticipated IPO.On the regulatory front, a German regional court issued a preliminary injunction finding Google liable for false claims in its AI Overview search results, treating AI-generated summaries as the company's own speech rather than protected third-party content. Meanwhile, California's No Robo Bosses Act is advancing through the legislature again after being vetoed earlier, with legislation that would require human oversight when AI is used in workplace discipline and termination decisions. And a federal rule requiring energy and water efficiency assessments for data centers expires in September with no replacement in sight.This episode covers:What Claude Corps is, who can apply as a fellow or host, and what genuine AI capacity-building at a nonprofit could look like in practice.Why Anthropic's investment in the nonprofit sector is both a real opportunity and a strategic brand play, and why that tension doesn't cancel either side out.The German court ruling that could make AI companies liable for hallucinated search results, and what it means for the "just verify everything" standard nonprofits already practice.California's renewed push to regulate AI in the workplace, and the expiring federal rule on data center efficiency.Resources Mentioned:Claude Corps announcement – Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-corpsClaude Corps fellow application – Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com/claude-corps/fellowClaude Corps host organization application – Anthropic – https://www.anthropic.com/claude-corps/hostGerman court ruling on Google AI Overviews – The Decoder – https://the-decoder.com/landmark-german-ruling-declares-googles-ai-overviews-are-googles-own-words-and-makes-it-liable-for-false-answers/No Robo Bosses Act of 2026 (SB 947) – California State Senate – https://sd05.senate.ca.gov/news/ca-senate-approves-no-robo-bosses-act-2026-ensure-human-oversight-ai-workplaceAI Acceptable Use Policy Template – Community IT Innovators – https://communityit.com/template-acceptable-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-nonprofit-workplace/This resource didn't get in the episode but should have! Will talk about it next week: https://fas.org/publication/community-benefit-agreements-data-center-development/New every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard explores how cybersecurity insurance has evolved for nonprofits with Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard, Senior Vice President at Lockton Companies, who advises nonprofit clients on risk, insurance, and mitigation strategies to protect their boards, missions, and people.When Carolyn and Jenna first presented a webinar together on cyber liability insurance, it was a new product that many nonprofits had never considered. Today it is nearly always required, and the risks it covers have transformed. The conversation traces that evolution, from the forgotten laptop and rogue employee scenarios of the early days to the ransomware attacks, sophisticated social engineering fraud, and emerging privacy laws driving claims now. Jenna also shares what insurers are doing about AI, from underwriter questions about guardrails to new endorsements affirming coverage, and why early AI-related litigation should put every nonprofit on notice about keeping a human in the loop.Jenna and Carolyn discuss:How cyber claims have shifted toward ransomware and social engineering fraud, where attackers monitor an organization's email and intercept major transactions like grants, investments, or building purchases.What affirmative AI coverage means, and why underwriters are starting to ask how your organization uses AI and what policies protect PII and confidential data.Why copyright and media liability claims are rising for nonprofits, including AI-altered images and unlicensed music at events and on podcasts.How dependence on third-party platforms like payroll systems, cloud providers, and learning platforms creates aggregation risk, and why insurers now ask about your major vendors.Why increased partisan attention on nonprofits can turn employee statements, scholarship criteria, or governance issues into insurance claims.Where to start if you are new to an organization or unsure of your coverage: lean on your existing advisors, build a risk tracker, and align your board on top risks.Resources Mentioned:Jenna Kirkpatrick Howard LinkedinLockton CompaniesCyber Risk Discussion Guide - LocktonAI Acceptable Use Policy Template – Community IT InnovatorsCybersecurity Insurance for Nonprofits webinar – Community IT Innovators _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

The rules for how nonprofits can use AI are being written right now, and there's a real issue over who gets to write them. In this midweek check-in, Carolyn Woodard walks through the federal-versus-state fight over AI regulation, why none of this requires you to be a lawyer to follow along, and how to stay informed about state AI rules-making where nonprofits should be at the table.She also notes new environmental research showing the water use per prompt really depends on where the data center is sited and the state of the grid in that location - another reason that local advocacy is a real way to have agency in this moment. She closes by advocating for a values-grounded AI policy that is still your best foundation no matter which way the rules shift.This episode covers:In December 2025 an executive order "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence" set out to replace a 50-state "patchwork" with one federal approach. The nuance that matters for your compliance: an executive order doesn't automatically erase existing state laws, and the March 2026 framework urging Congress to act is non-binding — so the rules already on the books in your state still apply for now.How Colorado and California are splitting: Colorado scaled back its comprehensive AI law (hiring, housing, lending, healthcare) and pushed the effective date to January 1, 2027, while California's frontier-safety law applies only to large developers — and Governor Newsom vetoed the worker-focused "No Robo Bosses Act" after industry pushback.New UC Riverside research (Prof. Shaolei Ren) showing the water cost of an identical AI query depends enormously on where the data center sits — a more than 20x swing — reframing the "is my individual prompt harmful?" question toward the bigger siting-and-grid picture as Fortune 500 companies integrate AI into everything they do.Who actually shaped these laws: well-resourced industry groups on one side and consumer-advocacy and civil-rights nonprofits on the other. There is a clear role for nonprofit leadership in the AI regulation debate.Resources Mentioned:Artificial Intelligence Legislation Database — National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)U.S. State AI Governance Legislation Tracker — IAPP (nonprofit)Find & Contact Elected Officials — USA.govEnsuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence (Executive Order, Dec. 11, 2025) — The White HouseColorado Governor Signs SB 189, Significantly Amending the State's AI Law — Holland & KnightCalifornia's SB 53: The First Frontier AI Law, Explained — Future of Privacy ForumAI Programs Consume Large Volumes of Scarce Water — UC Riverside News (Prof. Shaolei Ren)Making AI Less "Thirsty" (peer-reviewed) — Communications of the ACMAI's Energy Footprint Investigation — MIT Technology ReviewTemplate: Acceptable Use of AI Tools in the Nonprofit Workplace — Community IT InnovatorsNot mentioned in the podcast but apropos. The Fight Over AI is Really a Fight Over Who Governs - op ed from McGovern Foundation in Time  _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In Part 2 of the Nonprofit AI Governance Tips webinar, Carolyn Woodard and Nuradeen Aboki, Senior Consultant who has been helping nonprofits explore and adopt AI tools, cover the practical steps your organization can take to move from AI experimentation to intentional governance.The conversation picks up with a closer look at what belongs in a nonprofit AI policy, who needs to be at the decision-making table, and how to make governance stick in day-to-day operations rather than just on paper. Nura shares a case study of a content-heavy nonprofit that built AI guardrails around their editorial process and came out ahead, and the two close with a question-and-answer session covering metrics, ethics, and the environmental impact of AI.Haven't listened to Part 1 yet? Find it in your podcast feed.This episode covers:A good AI policy addresses acceptable use, data handling, compliance requirements, vendor vetting, human review, and staff training expectations — and it needs to evolve as the tools and your organization do.Cross-functional governance works best when leadership, board oversight, IT, legal, HR, and end users all have a seat at the table. Research drawing on a national survey of 180 nonprofits found that organizations where staff and board co-developed AI principles launched 12 times more pilots and scaled AI more effectively.One nonprofit built AI governance around their editorial workflow: updated style guides, required human review of every AI-assisted draft, and targeted prompting training. The result was faster writing without sacrificing voice or accuracy.When things go wrong, the first step is a calm assessment: figure out who is using what, what went wrong, and whether the root cause was a training gap, policy vacuum, or misconfigured setting.Making governance real means publishing your policy internally, raising AI use in staff meetings regularly, and creating spaces where people at every comfort level can ask questions and share concerns without judgment.Resources Mentioned:AI Acceptable Use Policy Template — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/template-acceptable-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-nonprofit-workplace/Dell Insights Report on Nonprofit AI Adoption — board.dev — https://board.dev/dell-insights-report-2/Community IT AI Resource Library — communityit.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/Community IT Governance Resource Library — communityit.com/governance/TAG AI Framework — Tech and Service Organizations — https://tagtech.org/page/AIAI Literacy and the Future of Work — U.S. Department of Labor — https://dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/ten-07-25No AI Use Policy? What to Do — Candid — https://candid.org/blogs/no-ai-use-policy-what-to-do/We Did the Math on AI's Energy Footprint — MIT Technology Review — https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1116327/ai-energy-usage-climate-footprint-big-tech/Securing Google Workspace for Nonprofits Webinar — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/webinar-securing-google-workspace-for-nonprofits/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers a landmark moment in the global conversation about AI governance: the release of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, and what it means for nonprofits and philanthropy navigating an AI landscape increasingly shaped by concentrated power.The encyclical, released May 25, 2026 and addressed to people of every faith and none, draws a deliberate parallel to the 1891 Rerum Novarum, which addressed the rights of workers during the Industrial Revolution. It argues that technology built and governed by a small elite cannot serve the common good, and calls for AI to be "disarmed" from the logic of competition and monopoly. Nonprofit tech thought leaders responded quickly, with voices like Cassie Gruenstein of AI x Impact, TechSoup CEO Marnie Webb, and former TAG Executive Director Chantal Forster each bringing distinct lenses: worker dignity and organizational culture, the economics of AI pricing and shared sector solutions, and the case for philanthropy to invest not just in AI adoption but in the civic institutions that shape it.This episode also covers a cross-faith coalition context and closes with an action item: Longview Philanthropy has an open RFP funding work on AI power concentration, with a July 2 deadline.Why the encyclical's arguments on power concentration, worker dignity, and environmental impact speak directly to nonprofit values, regardless of religious affiliation.What three nonprofit tech thought leaders are drawing from the document for their own practice and recommendations.The cross-faith convergence building around shared demands for accountability, transparency, and human dignity in AI development.A concrete funding opportunity for organizations working on AI governance and power concentration.Resources Mentioned:Magnifica Humanitas, full text – The VaticanPope Calls for Robust Regulation of AI – PBS NewsHourCassie Gruenstein on Magnifica Humanitas – LinkedInMarnie Webb on Magnifica Humanitas – LinkedInChantal Forster: 10 Favorite Passages – LinkedInHow Magnifica Humanitas Offers a Template for the AI Moment – MIT Technology ReviewAI Must Remain Under Human Control – Christian Daily InternationalFaith-AI Covenant – Interfaith Alliance for Safer CommunitiesAI Power Concentration RFP – Longview PhilanthropyNew every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In the first part of this two-part conversation, Carolyn Woodard and Nura Aboki, Senior Consultant at Community IT Innovators, dig into what it actually looks like to implement AI at a nonprofit - not in theory, but on the ground. With 80% of nonprofits using AI without any governance policies in place, unmanaged adoption is already happening. This episode helps nonprofit leaders understand where to start.Nura draws on real client experiences to walk through two case studies: a nonprofit that had to pause its AI rollout to answer a fundamental "why are we doing this?" and an environmental organization that wrestled with whether using AI conflicted with its mission. Both examples illustrate why values alignment and change management have to come before any tool selection.Carolyn and Nura cover:Why starting with a clear "why" before selecting any tool is the single most important step in AI adoption.What AI literacy means for nonprofit staff and where to find free and low-cost training options.A step-by-step framework for intentional AI implementation: communication, piloting, due diligence, and layered training.The risks nonprofits need to plan for, including shadow AI, vendor churn, data privacy, and the legal reality that humans are accountable for AI errors.Why appointing an internal AI champion matters even at - especially at - small organizations.Resources MentionedAI Acceptable Use Policy Template — Community IT InnovatorsAI Literacy and the Workforce — U.S. Department of LaborDigital Skills Center — TechSoupAI for Nonprofits Certificate — NTENThe Human StackAI Program Area — NetHopeMission-Aligned AI Adoption Model — Community IT InnovatorsNo AI Use Policy? What to Do — Candid _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers the real-world costs of AI infrastructure, a coming wave of AI-generated philanthropic wealth, and how to think about AI fundraising tools this week.The headlines about AI tend to focus on what it can do. This episode looks at what it costs — in water, electricity, and rate increases that are already hitting low-income households — and at the enormous wealth being created on the other side of that ledger. Carolyn also responds to a listener question about AI tools in fundraising, drawing a comparison to the early days of social media for nonprofits and why the same change management instincts should apply.This episode covers:Data centers in Georgia and Arizona have drawn water without authorization, and projections suggest Texas data centers alone could draw down Lake Mead by 16 feet annually by 2030. MIT researchers found that AI-specific energy use could equal 22% of all US household electricity consumption by 2028, and that utility deals with major tech companies are already shifting infrastructure costs to ratepayers.Nan Ransohoff's widely discussed Substack piece argues that AI wealth creation could generate $37 to $100 billion annually in new philanthropic capital. Forbes counts 45 new AI billionaires in 2026 with combined wealth of $2.9 trillion. Tech-fluent nonprofits are likely to be better positioned to build relationships with this new wave of funders.AI fundraising tools are at a moment similar to early social media: some organizations will jump in, some will wait, and neither is automatically right. The change management skills your organization has built through past fundraising shifts can apply here. Just because the tools are new, don't think you don't have the leadership to manage the change.Board.dev connects nonprofits with tech-savvy board candidates and offers 28 AI governance questions your board can use right now.Resources Mentioned:Fortune, "America's Data Centers Are Thirsty. Rural Towns Are Paying the Price" — https://fortune.com/2026/05/13/data-center-georgia-arizona-water-wars/MIT Technology Review, "We Did the Math on AI's Energy Footprint" — https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/05/20/1116327/ai-energy-usage-climate-footprint-big-tech/Nan Ransohoff, "The Third Wave of American Philanthropy" — https://nanransohoff.substack.com/p/the-third-wave-of-american-philanthropyForbes, "Meet the 45 AI Newcomers to Forbes 2026 Billionaires List" — https://www.forbes.com/sites/phoebeliu/2026/03/10/meet-the-45-ai-newcomers-to-forbes-2026-billionaires-list/Board.dev — https://board.devNew every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard explores the gap between AI ambition and organizational readiness with Mimi Yeh, Engagement Director at PTKO, a strategy and change management consulting firm that works exclusively with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations. Mimi focuses on the people side of technology adoption — and when it comes to AI, she sees a consistent pattern: leadership is excited, staff are uncertain, and the gap between those two realities is where AI initiatives stall.The conversation reframes AI adoption not as a tools problem but as an alignment and change management challenge. Mimi and Carolyn discuss how nonprofits can build the internal structure — governance, policy, shared understanding — that makes AI adoption sustainable rather than chaotic, and what funders can do to support that work more effectively.Mimi and Carolyn discuss:Why the biggest obstacle to AI adoption in nonprofits is not the technology itself, but the gap between leadership ambition and staff readiness — and how governance can close it.How to use your organization's existing skepticism about AI (around climate impact, job displacement, or data risk) as a productive starting point for building policy rather than a reason to stall.Why acceptable use guidelines for AI should not look very different from governance frameworks nonprofits already use for other tools and technologies.How funders can shift from pressuring nonprofits to adopt AI quickly to supporting the capacity building and literacy that makes adoption meaningful and lasting.What it actually takes to build an AI tool for internal nonprofit use — and why the human input, voice, and values behind that tool matter as much as the data fed into it.Resources Mentioned:PTKO — ptko.io/who-we-are/AI Acceptable Use Policy Template — Community IT Innovators — communityit.com/template-acceptable-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-nonprofit-workplace/AI Resource Library — Community IT Innovators — communityit.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers two recent AI product updates and a thought-provoking question about what it means to use AI tools more personally: a new Claude for Small Business plugin that connects AI to the tools your nonprofit already uses, a ChatGPT model update that changes the default experience for anyone on your staff using the free tier, and an article from nonprofit AI trainer Tim Lockie that may challenge how you think about sharing context with AI.Anthropic launched Claude for Small Business as a plugin inside Claude Cowork, their agentic work environment. The plugin connects Claude directly to tools like QuickBooks, PayPal, HubSpot, Canva, DocuSign, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365 through pre-built workflows for tasks like payroll, month-end close, and invoicing. Every action requires human approval before it executes. Nonprofits with a paid Claude plan already have access but need to make the connections in Cowork. The Claude for Nonprofits discount brings the Teams plan to $8 per user per month for qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations. A free AI Fluency for Small Business course is also included.OpenAI updated ChatGPT's default model to GPT-5.5 Instant in early May, rolling it out to all users including the free tier. The big change: the model now draws on past conversations, uploaded files, and connected accounts like Gmail to personalize responses. If your staff are using the free version of ChatGPT, their default experience just changed, and that matters for what your organization's data governance policy says about which tools and tiers are appropriate.Carolyn closes with Tim Lockie's recent piece "Humans Are The Loop," about building a private Claude project he uses as a personal thinking partner. He fed it his neuropsych evaluation, DISC profile, and StrengthsFinder results, and uses it to surface the patterns he is most likely to miss under pressure. This approach is in genuine tension with the data caution that guides most of our AI governance guidance, and Carolyn is still sitting with it. Worth a few minutes of your own reflection.Resources Mentioned:Claude for Small Business announcement — Anthropic — https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-for-small-businessClaude for Nonprofits pricing — Anthropic — https://support.claude.com/en/articles/12893767-getting-started-with-claude-for-nonprofitsGPT-5.5 Instant announcement — OpenAI — https://openai.com/index/gpt-5-5-instant/Humans Are The Loop — Tim Lockie / The Human Stack — https://thehumanstack.com/timlockie/humans_are_the_loopAI for Anyone course — The Human Stack — https://thehumanstack.com/academy/aiforanyoneElon Musk Loses Landmark Lawsuit Against Open AI — WIRED https://www.wired.com/story/musk-v-altman-jury-verdict/New every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard explores the technology behind nonprofit fundraising events with Justin Goodhew, CEO and co-founder of Trellis. Galas and in-person events have come roaring back since COVID, and they have changed — guests expect and enjoy more experiential, mission-centered evenings. But the pressure on staff has not let up. As AI begins to reshape data entry and reconciliation, the nonprofits that thrive will be the ones who have already built the right technology foundations under their events.Justin brings years of experience helping nonprofits run galas that integrate cleanly into their existing systems — and he has seen firsthand what separates a smooth, energizing event from one that leaves staff burnt out. The conversation covers how to think about technology adoption the right way, how to make smarter asks on the big night, and how to use post-event data to deepen donor relationships before the window closes.Justin and Carolyn discuss:Why events have become more experiential since COVID, and how nonprofits can use that shift to bring donors closer to their mission.The three Ps of event technology adoption: procedure, people, and product — and why most organizations get the order wrong.How seamless integration between your event platform and your CRM or ERP protects staff from burnout and keeps donor data actionable.How the right data quickly allows you to identify your highest-value attendees and make the right asks at the right moment. And how data helps you plan the right type and right-sized event for your highest value donors. Why moving reconciliation and data planning to the front end of your event planning cycle - the three months in advance of your date - changes everything about the days that immediately follow your gala.Resources Mentioned:Trellis — https://www.trellis.org _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers three topics this week: what the Canvas ransomware hack reveals about vendor risk for nonprofits, why roughly 80% of nonprofits still have no AI use policy and what you can do about it today, and why the new book AI for Nonprofits belongs on your leadership team's reading list even as AI tools continue to evolve rapidly.The Canvas story is at its core a governance story. When 30 million users depend on a single platform, a breach affects everyone who trusts that vendor. Nonprofits can't out-analyze the cybersecurity of major vendors, but you can make sure you have cybersecurity insurance that covers third-party breaches, a communications plan ready before a crisis hits, and solid data backups separated from your main systems.The bigger takeaway for AI governance: most nonprofits are already using AI tools without any organizational guardrails in place. You don't need a full formal policy to get started. A one-page declaration of principles, a commitment to paid enterprise tools over free versions, and a habit of documenting what's working can give your organization a meaningful foundation.And finally, AI for Nonprofits by Cheryl Contee and Darian Rodriguez Heyman is worth your leadership team's time, especially for its strategic framework and breadth of expert voices weighing in on AI uses across fundraising, communications, and program evaluation.Resources Mentioned:Instructure pays ransom to Canvas hackers — Inside Higher Ed — https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/administrative-tech/2026/05/11/instructure-pays-ransom-canvas-hackersWhat If My Organization Has No AI Use Policy — Candid — https://candid.org/blogs/no-ai-use-policy-what-to-do/How to Create a Nonprofit Incident Response Plan — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/how-to-create-a-nonprofit-incident-response-plan/How to Use AI Tools Safely at Nonprofits — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/webinar-how-to-use-ai-tools-safely-at-nonprofits/AI Acceptable Use Policy Template — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/template-acceptable-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-nonprofit-workplace/AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause — Cheryl Contee and Darian Rodriguez Heyman — https://www.amazon.com/AI-Nonprofits-Putting-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1394298412 or at your library or local bookstore! New every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard explores what it really means for a nonprofit to adopt AI responsibly and effectively with Cheryl Contee, co-founder of BrightWorks AI and Change Agent AI and co-author of the Amazon bestseller AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause. Cheryl is a pioneering technology entrepreneur recognized by Fast Company, Harvard's Berkman Center for Internet and Society, and The Root 100, and has appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, CNN, and the BBC.The conversation reframes AI not as a threat to nonprofit jobs but as a way to multiply capacity in organizations that are already stretched thin. Cheryl and Carolyn dig into practical strategies for getting started, what makes a good AI workflow, and why the most successful nonprofit teams approach AI as an ongoing learning journey rather than a one-time implementation.This episode covers:Why the question for nonprofits is no longer whether to use AI — it is already embedded in your email, CRM, and productivity tools — but how to use it responsibly and creatively in service of your mission.How to identify the right starting point: pick one workflow you dislike, test one or two tools against it, and share what you learn with your team.Why humans must stay in the loop, especially for high-stakes decisions, sensitive interactions, and anything requiring lived experience, nuance, or accountability.Leadership habits build an AI-ready culture, including normalizing experimentation, creating a prompt library, and documenting what works.Common pitfalls to avoid: chasing every new tool, skipping staff training, ignoring ethical considerations, and expecting immediate transformation.Resources Mentioned:AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause — Cheryl Contee and Darian Rodriguez Heyman — https://www.amazon.com/AI-Nonprofits-Putting-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/1394298412/BrightWorks AI — https://brightworksai.comChange Agent AI — https://thechange.aiSkej AI scheduling assistant — https://skej.comThere's an AI for That — https://theresanAIforthat.comNTEN — https://nten.orgTechSoup — https://techsoup.org _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers three topics shaping the nonprofit AI conversation right now: the real environmental costs of AI infrastructure, whether the AI market is actually a bubble, and a new survey that gives nonprofits a direct voice in shaping what comes next. This episode helps you move from anxious or skeptical observer to informed, active participant.This episode covers:AI data centers consume enormous energy and water, but the environmental picture is more nuanced than early viral statistics suggested. Cooling accounts for roughly 40% of data center energy use, and about 80% of water consumption comes from electricity generation, making this a grid problem as much as a local one.The AI market is consolidating faster than previous technology cycles. For nonprofits that have been waiting for the dust to settle, the more useful question now is: what is the cost of continuing to wait?82% of nonprofits are already using AI for internal operations, per Fast Forward's 2025 report, but nonprofits using free, off-the-shelf tools are less likely to have policies or risk controls in place.The Fast Forward 2026 AI for Humanity survey interest form is open now. If you are the person at your organization who knows the most about how AI is being used, your participation shapes how funders and policymakers understand what nonprofits actually need.Practical next steps suggestions: develop a policy, identify low-stakes pilots, check in on AI regularly at all-staff meetings, and ask your vendors about their clean energy and water commitments.Resources Mentioned:Fast Forward 2025 AI for Humanity ReportFast Forward 2026 Survey interest form (open now)Data Centers and Water Consumption — EESIData Center Water Use Explainer — MOST Policy InitiativeAbout That AI Bubble — The Atlantic (May 2026)Nonprofit AI podcast new every Tuesday. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Your nonprofit may be sitting on a data liability it doesn't know it has.Carolyn talks with Ian Gottesman, CEO of NGO ISAC, about data retention and why the question of what your organization keeps - and for how long - is more urgent than ever. Ian has been studying this topic for 30 years, and he makes the risks concrete: e-discovery requests, contractual disputes, subpoenas, and the exposure that comes from mixing personal and organizational data on staff devices. Most of the time, the threat isn't a headline-making congressional hearing - it's a vendor dispute or a board member's outside legal trouble that pulls your email and files into a lawsuit you didn't see coming.Ian walks through how to build a data retention policy, who in your organization needs to lead it, and why now. With AI tools beginning to ingest your file servers and inboxes, now is exactly the right moment to get serious about data hygiene.This episode covers:•       The most common data retention risk for nonprofits isn't congressional testimony — it's a contractual dispute, a board member's outside legal matter, or a vendor conflict that pulls your organization into e-discovery.•       Your backup retention schedule must align with your data retention policy. Backups that outlast your retention window are still discoverable — and that trunk of old backup tapes will find its way into a lawyer's hands.•       Start your retention policy implementation with the most transitory data first: instant messaging and Slack, then email, then files. Automate deletion as much as possible, and make saving intentional and manual.•       The hardest part of implementation isn't the policy, it's change management. People love their old emails. Enlist a senior leader (CEO, general counsel, COO) to champion the rollout, not just IT.•       Clean data makes AI tools work better. If your file server is full of outdated drafts and duplicate documents, your AI tools are ingesting noise. A retention policy is the foundation of good data governance — and good AI outcomes.Resources Mentioned:•       NGO ISAC•       NTEN Course: Data Minimization and Retention — Ian Gottesman•       Sample Not-for-Profit Document and Data Retention Policy — AICPA & CIMA•       Document Retention Policies for Nonprofits — National Council of Nonprofits•       Nonprofit Legal Defense Network (We the Action)Additional resource: Podcast: Prep Your File Permissions for AI Tools — Community IT Innovators _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

This week, Carolyn Woodard covers two resources: a practical new browser feature for Google Workspace shops and a nonprofit watchdog organization working to make the AI industry more accountable. Whether you're trying to get more out of your existing tools or looking for credible resources to bring to a board conversation about AI risk, this episode has something useful.This episode covers:Google quietly rolled out a feature called Skills inside Chrome — it lets you save a prompt once and run it on any web page with a click, without retyping. Pre-built Skills are also available for common tasks like summarizing long documents or comparing information across open tabs, no prompt-writing required.Skills is a reading and analysis assistant, not an agent — it won't take actions like making purchases or browsing on your behalf. It reads what's already in front of you in the browser and helps you process it faster.If your nonprofit is in the Google ecosystem and staff are hesitant to write prompts from scratch, Skills' pre-built library is a low-barrier starting point. Useful use cases include reviewing foundation grant pages and comparing information across multiple sites.The Center for AI Safety (CAIS) is a San Francisco-based research and advocacy nonprofit whose mission is to reduce societal-scale risks from AI. Their website (safe.ai) isn't a vendor — it's an independent watchdog with accessible explainers, free courses, and fellowship programs.CAIS offers a free AI Safety, Ethics and Society course that's relevant for nonprofits building AI literacy on a budget, plus a fellowship for people doing advocacy work around AI governance, bias, or data center impacts.When staff or board members are skeptical about AI — or when you need a credible outside voice for your AI strategy conversations — CAIS is a more trustworthy resource than asking the AI companies themselves what's safe.Resources Mentioned:https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-use-google-chrome-ai-powered-skills/https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/chrome/skills-in-chrome/https://safe.aihttps://safe.ai/ai-riskhttps://aisafetybook.com/virtual-coursehttps://www.reddit.com/r/NonprofitITManagement/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In Part 2 of the 2026 Nonprofit Cybersecurity Incident Report, Community IT CTO Matthew Eshleman walks through the real attack examples his team saw hitting nonprofits in 2025: scareware pop-ups, fake invoices, DMCA impersonation notices, HR job scams, and calendar phishing. He also unpacks eight years of incident data and what the numbers actually mean — including a 70% spike in malware activity and a surprising drop in phishing reports that turns out to say more about tools than threat actors.The conversation closes with a practical look at what nonprofits should prioritize in 2026, from phish-resistant MFA to AI governance — because the gap between what your org has authorized and what your staff are already doing is quietly becoming one of your biggest risks.Haven't listened to Part 1 yet? Find it in your podcast feed.This episode covers:A 60% drop in reported phishing messages sounds like good news — but it reflects a tool switch, not a safer threat landscape, and underscores the value of regularly reevaluating your tools and using best of breed protections.Malware and endpoint virus activity surged 70% year over year, with AI enabling less sophisticated actors to launch more targeted attacks.Real attack examples from 2025: fake invoices with convincing ACH details, DMCA legal threats, HR job scams using your organization's identity, and calendar invites engineered to create urgency.New staff, HR contacts, and finance and operations roles are the highest-value targets for social engineering — and your training program should reflect that.Ungoverned AI is a growing data risk. Staff are already using free AI tools, and the downstream exposure is only beginning to show up.A strong cybersecurity foundation in 2026 means IT acceptable use policies, formal security awareness training, phish-resistant MFA, cloud identity monitoring, and consistent patching.Resources Mentioned:Nonprofit AI Governance Tips Webinar — May 27 with Senior Consultant Nuradeen AbokiNonprofit Cybersecurity Playbook — Community IT InnovatorsNonprofit IT Management Community — RedditHow to Use AI Tools Safely at Nonprofits — Community IT WebinarTalk to Matt About Your Cybersecurity Questions — Community IT _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard covers two major AI announcements breaking today — a landmark philanthropic gift building the country's first "AI-native" hospital, and a massive infrastructure deal between Amazon and Anthropic — and zooms out to ask what all this big-money investment means for nonprofits on the ground. The answer: now more than ever, building your own AI literacy is the most strategic investment your organization can make.This episode also features a resources roundup with five options for nonprofit staff and foundation professionals who are ready to learn — whether you have 60 minutes or six months.This episode covers:Michael and Susan Dell's $750 million gift to UT Austin funding the country's first "AI-native" hospital is a signal for nonprofits about where philanthropic capital is heading.What Amazon's expanded investment in Anthropic means for AI infrastructure — and why the unsustainable pace of data center growth may actually push major tech companies toward renewable energy and less resource-intensive locations, a shift that matters for the communities currently bearing the costs of that build-out.Why the most important AI investment your nonprofit can make right now isn't a tool — it's literacy, and why doing it together as an organization matters more than one person figuring it out alone.Five concrete learning opportunities for nonprofit staff at every level.Your city or region may already have free AI literacy programs designed for local nonprofits — it's worth a quick search."Do I need to pick one AI tool and stick with it?" — why the more important question is whether your organization has a policy about what you're sharing and with whom.Resources Mentioned:UT Dell Medical Center announcement — University of Texas at Austin — https://www.kut.org/health/2026-04-21/ut-austin-dell-medical-center-hospital-michael-susan-dell-foundation-donationAmazon/Anthropic expanded partnership — Anthropic — https://www.anthropic.com/news/anthropic-amazon-computeThe Human Stack — Tim Lockie's "AI for Anyone" course — https://thehumanstack.com/academy/aiforanyoneAI for Nonprofits Sprint — Fund for the City of New York — https://www.fcny.org/aisprint/AI for Foundations Professional Certificate — TAG + NTEN — https://www.nten.org/learn/professional-certificates/ai-for-foundationsMicrosoft Changemaker Fellowship — https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/resourcesAI Acceptable Use Policy Template — Community IT Innovators — https://communityit.com/template-acceptable-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-nonprofit-workplace/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In the first part of this annual check-in, Carolyn Woodard and Matthew Eshleman dive into the findings from the eighth annual Nonprofit Cybersecurity Incident Report. Analyzing data from thousands of client endpoints throughout 2025, they discuss how the landscape has shifted—specifically how AI is being used by threat actors to lower the barrier for sophisticated attacks. This episode provides a high-level look at the trends that defined the past year and the foundational layers every nonprofit needs to protect its mission in 2026.The conversation covers the rise of financially motivated scams, the increasing frequency of partisan digital attacks, and why data is transitionally moving from an organizational asset to a potential liability. Matthew explains:How AI tools are accelerating attack vectors through automated scripts and convincing phishing.Why your organization’s cybersecurity foundation must be built on policy and frequent, vibrant staff training rather than just annual videos.The evolution of multi-factor authentication (MFA) and the shift toward phish-resistant methods like Passkeys or physical keys like FIDO keys.Why data retention policies are becoming a necessity to mitigate legal risks and data leakage.The importance of governing how staff interact with free AI tools to prevent institutional data from entering the public domain.Resources MentionedNonprofit IT Management Reddit CommunityCybersecurity Playbook for NonprofitsNGO ISACKnowBe4 Security Awareness Training _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard opens with highlights from Good Tech Summit, a three-day Washington D.C. conference bringing together practitioners, funders, and tech leaders focused on responsible AI use in the social sector. She shares standout quotes on AI governance, accountability, and what the sector needs to do differently. This episode also covers the Claude Cowork tool nonprofits should know about, a privacy change in a new Google Labs tool that affects your data, and the Claude Mythos Preview non-release that has bank executives and governments in emergency meetings.This episode covers:Key takeaways from Good Tech Summit, including "We need to stop random acts of AI" and why your AI policy should be grounded in values — not updated every time a new tool drops.How Claude Cowork compares to Google Workspace Studio and Microsoft Copilot Cowork — and whether nonprofits are better served by AI built into their existing tech stack or a mission-aligned third-party tool.What Google Opal is, why you may have seen a notice that it sits outside Workspace's enterprise privacy protections, and what nonprofit staff should know about using it.Why Anthropic built its most powerful AI model ever and then refused to release it publicly and what that points out about our current power imbalance between tech companies and consumers."Technology is not a net good or net bad. We don't know yet whether AI will be a net benefit or net harm — but we need to be engaged, literate, and demanding."Why building AI fluency together as a sector matters; sending staff off to figure it out alone keeps us isolated. Resources Mentioned:Good Tech Summit — watch for next year's annual event at goodtechtogether.orgClaude for Nonprofits — AnthropicClaude Cowork Overview — AnthropicGoogle Opal (Google Labs experiment)Claude Mythos Preview — AnthropicClaude Mythos Preview — ForbesClaude Mythos Preview — WIRED2026 Nonprofit Cybersecurity Incident Report Webinar _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn Woodard explores the intersection of project management and artificial intelligence AI with Alex Tuck, founder of Tuck Consulting Group. As nonprofits face increasing pressure to do more with less, Alex shares how project managers are uniquely positioned to lead AI implementation and why human-in-the-loop systems are essential for maintaining accuracy and ethics.The conversation dives into the practicalities of AI adoption, from the potential automation of administrative tasks to the specific challenges faced by healthcare nonprofits. Alex provides a clear framework for ethical AI use, focusing on well-being, transparency, and data security. You will also learn actionable tips for mastering the art of prompting and how to know when to iterate on an AI project versus when to walk away.Alex and Carolyn discuss:Why project managers are the natural leaders for AI initiatives in the nonprofit sector.Four key pillars for an ethical AI framework: Human Well-being, Human in the Loop, Transparency, and Data Security.Practical strategies for better prompting, including the use of context, constraints, and prompt libraries.How to determine when to pivot or quit an AI project early to save organizational resources.Resources Mentioned:Tuck Consulting GroupAnthropic Report on AI and EmploymentPMI CPMAI Framework _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

The conversation this week highlights new "AI assistant" features from Microsoft and Google that aim to handle administrative burdens, allowing nonprofit teams to focus on mission-critical work. Host Carolyn Woodard also delves into a Havard Business Review article with qualitative interviews on AI and leadership challenges, and highlights a specialized training initiative for environmental organizations. This episode covers:How Microsoft Copilot Cowork acts as an executive assistant by managing calendars, drafting meeting briefs, and researching donors.The capabilities of Google Workspace Studio to also act as an executive assistant creating meeting prep and summarizing unread emails. Key findings from a recent Harvard Business Review study finding 93% of leaders identify human factors as the primary barrier to AI adoption. "Several leaders observed that anxiety was particularly pronounced among experienced professionals whose authority had been built on deep expertise.""The risk is treating AI as a narrow tech project. In reality, it’s a cultural shift and we need to embed it into how we think, manage, and lead, not just into workflows."The launch of a new AI literacy program specifically designed for climate and nature professionals from Climate Collective and CIVIC.Resources Mentioned:Microsoft Copilot Cowork AnnouncementGoogle Workspace Studio OverviewHBR: Senior Leaders Are Struggling with AI AdoptionClimate Collective AI Literacy ProgramCommunity IT Subreddit _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Hugo Castro, author of the Accidental Techie newsletter on Linkedin, and Gozi Egbuonu, accidental and now intentional tech leader, lead you through a discussion on the transformation from firefighter to strategic advisor.In pt 1 they discuss the role of the "accidental techie" in nonprofit organizations and explore three bridges to transform your career: Skills, Relationships, and Projects. In pt 2 they finish up the fourth bridge: Communications, and take questions from the webinar audience.If you never applied to a tech job, but somehow you are the person everyone turns to for tech help and assistance at your nonprofit, you may be the accidental techie of your office. Learn how to transform your valuable experience as a problem-solver into a professional career as a nonprofit tech leader from two people who have lived it.Hugo and Gozi share what separates reactive problem-solvers from strategic technology leaders, and give you practical frameworks for repositioning yourself professionally. You’ll discover how to communicate your value differently, build the right relationships, and choose projects that showcase your strategic thinking. Learning outcomesBuild a transformation roadmap using four pillars: skills, relationships, projects, communicationIdentify your position on the accidental-to-intentional spectrum and key mindset shifts neededReframe how you communicate your work to position yourselves as strategic advisors, not tech fixers-for-free. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

A major new initiative from Microsoft aims to provide the training and resources needed to adopt AI tools at nonprofits. In this episode, Carolyn Woodard breaks down the recently announced Microsoft Elevate for Changemakers program. This initiative is a structured effort to build AI capacity through professional certifications, hands-on training, and global fellowships designed specifically for the nonprofit sector.Carolyn discusses how the sector has shifted from skepticism to active adoption and explores how AI can expand human agency rather than replace it. She describes the four key areas where Microsoft believes AI can make a measurable difference and the case studies they share for each area: enriching staff time, delivering impactful programs, engaging donors, and transforming operations. Whether you are looking to automate manual data entry or scale your mission through local language tools, this episode provides a roadmap for staying at the forefront of responsible AI use.The conversation covers:The new LinkedIn AI for Nonprofits professional certificate and on-demand capacity-building training.Details on the Changemaker Fellowship for organizations with actionable AI projects ready for investment.How AI helps nonprofit staff move away from busywork and toward creative, mission-driven thinking.Links to real-world case studies of organizations using AI to save 6 to 8 hours a day on administrative tasks.Strategies for using AI to scale programs and build stronger, data-informed donor relationships.The importance of professional training and leadership in adopting responsible AI frameworks.Resources Mentioned:Microsoft Elevate for Changemakers AnnouncementMicrosoft Elevate for Changemakers resourcesCommunity IT Innovators WebsiteNonprofit IT Management Reddit Community _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Hugo Castro, author of the Accidental Techie newsletter on Linkedin, and Gozi Egbuonu, accidental and now intentional tech leader, lead you through a discussion on the transformation from firefighter to strategic advisor.In pt 1 they discuss the role of the "accidental techie" in nonprofit organizations and explore three bridges to transform your career: Skills, Relationships, and Projects. In pt 2 they finish up the fourth bridge: Communications, and take questions from the webinar audience.If you never applied to a tech job, but somehow you are the person everyone turns to for tech help and assistance at your nonprofit, you may be the accidental techie of your office. Learn how to transform your valuable experience as a problem-solver into a professional career as a nonprofit tech leader from two people who have lived it.Hugo and Gozi share what separates reactive problem-solvers from strategic technology leaders, and give you practical frameworks for repositioning yourself professionally. You’ll discover how to communicate your value differently, build the right relationships, and choose projects that showcase your strategic thinking. Learning outcomesBuild a transformation roadmap using four pillars: skills, relationships, projects, communicationIdentify your position on the accidental-to-intentional spectrum and key mindset shifts neededReframe how you communicate your work to position yourselves as strategic advisors, not tech fixers-for-free. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In this Nonprofit AI Podcast midweek check-in, Carolyn tackles the anxiety around AI and the changing labor market. While it can feel like AI is everywhere, a recent report from Anthropic shows we are nowhere near 100% adoption—but the roles most likely to be impacted are the white-collar, management, and knowledge-work positions often held by older, highly educated women in the nonprofit sector.The conversation covers the gap between using AI tools and actually having a policy for them, and why wishful thinking isn't a substitute for a training budget. Carolyn discusses:Who is actually exposed to AI: Why seasoned nonprofit leaders and managers in roles like fundraising and strategic planning need to pay attention and stay engaged in the way their job descriptions are shifting to incorporate AI literacy. The Governance Gap: Only 19% of organizations have formal AI policies—maybe even lower in the nonprofit sector. But organizations without AI governance run considerable risks. The time to start is now.Why AI literacy is the new job requirement in nonprofit work: Moving beyond entry level tricks like drafting emails to using AI as a strategic partner for mission-driven work has huge possibilities. The nonprofit sector is uniquely positioned to use AI in innovative and impactful ways.High-quality training that won't break the budget: A rundown of free and low-cost certificate programs specifically designed for nonprofits.Evidence-based use cases: Look at how peer organizations are using AI for  mission delivery, not just office productivity with Project Evident's library of nonprofit AI use cases.As AI literacy becomes a baseline skill, Carolyn encourages nonprofit boards and executive teams to prioritize learning—ensuring staff have the time, tools, and training to navigate this shift safely.Resources Mentioned:Anthropic Report: Labor Market Impacts of AIInfotech Research: AI Trends 2026Infotech Research: Data Priorities 2026NPTechForGood: AI Certificate for Marketing & FundraisingNetHope & Kaya: Fundamentals of AI for Nonprofits (Free)Data.org: AI Skills for NonprofitsAnthropic Academy: AI Fluency for Nonprofits (Free)Project Evident: Equitable AI Adoption Case Studies _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Carolyn sits down with Steve Longenecker, Director of IT Consulting at Community IT Innovators, to tackle a question that's suddenly urgent for many nonprofits: now that AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini can search your entire file system, are your permissions actually set up correctly?The conversation covers the practical steps nonprofits can take to assess and clean up their SharePoint and Google Workspace permissions before — or after — turning on AI. Steve and Carolyn discuss:Why AI tools like Copilot only surface files users are already permitted to see — and why that's not as reassuring as it sounds.The "security through obscurity" problem: how files that were harmlessly buried for years can suddenly become visible to anyone.How Microsoft tracks "anyone at my organization" share links — and why you should change your default sharing settings now.What Restricted SharePoint Search is, and how it can help you safely roll out Copilot site by site.Practical first steps for nonprofits with messy, organic SharePoint environments.As Steve puts it, old SharePoint architecture represents technical debt that's going to have to get paid down eventually — and AI may be making that day come sooner.Resources Mentioned:Microsoft Restricted SharePoint Search — overview for organizations rolling out Copilot: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/microsoft365copilotblog/introducing-restricted-sharepoint-search-to-help-you-get-started-with-copilot-fo/4071060SharePoint permissions governance — a conceptual overview for site owners and leadership: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/overview-site-governance-permission-and-sharing-for-site-owners-95e83c3d-e1b0-4aae-9d08-e94dcaa4942eCommunity IT's Microsoft Tools Resource Library for Nonprofits: https://communityit.com/microsoft-tools-for-nonprofits/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

How can nonprofits move past the efficiency plateau to find real strategic value in AI? In this midweek check-in, Carolyn Woodard discusses statistics from the 2026 Nonprofit AI Adoption Report from Virtuous and Fundraising AI, which reveals that while 92% of nonprofits are using AI, only 7% see a major strategic impact on their mission.The episode also explores the concept of AI hygiene and why cleaning up your digital files for humans is the first step. Carolyn also discussed Google NotebookLM, a "walled off" library that you can create from your own resources, restricting your AI tool to just your own documents and data. Carolyn also highlights the community-led governance model of AI Ready RVA and reminds nonprofit leaders that they do not need a computer science degree to lead an AI-ready organization. Instead, they need a clear mission, clean data, and commitment.Key Resources Included2026 Nonprofit AI Adoption Report (Virtuous/Fundraising AI).92% of nonprofits surveyed are individually using AI tools for productivity and efficiency vs 7% that report they are using AI as a teammate for transformation.Data hygiene: cleaning your data and keeping it clean. AI hygiene: Preparing your data and data architecture so that AI tools can return the best outputs quickly, without multiple prompts and investigation into accuracy.  NotebookLM. A tool within Google Gemini that can create a "walled off" library that AI will search within. Using vetted resources can help the AI be more trustworthy and return better outputs. AI Ready RVA - a cohort model for local resources and networking to help manage the learning and funding for pilot programs and events. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Are you struggling to articulate what your nonprofit actually needs from an IT provider? In this episode, host Carolyn Woodard and Community IT CEO Johan Hammerstrom discuss the rise of the generic, AI-generated Request for Proposal (RFP). While it is tempting to use AI to handle the heavy lifting of technical writing, doing so often results in a document that lacks the heart of your organization’s mission.Johan explains why a successful RFP is less about technical jargon and more about your unique business needs. When you rely on a generic template, you end up with a generic partner. This conversation offers a roadmap for moving beyond checklists to find a support model that actually fits your culture and budget.Johan and Carolyn explore the essential process of defining your requirements, including:The AI Pitfall: Why using AI to write an RFP without deep organizational context leads technical jargon. If you can't understand exactly what your rfp is asking for, neither will the vendors. The Thinking Process: A look at why the act of writing—rather than just the final document—is a vital exercise in disciplined thinking and clarity for your leadership team.Staff Feedback: How to gather input from your team to identify where legacy systems or siloed tools are creating daily friction and missed opportunities.Finding a Partner: Practical advice on how to draw out the unique requirements of your nonprofit to ensure your next IT provider is a true partner, not just a vendor.A key part of this search is recognizing why many nonprofits feel dissatisfied with their current support. Johan identifies three specific pitfalls that occur when working with a regular, for-profit focused Managed Service Provider (MSP):The Culture Gap: Most MSPs are geared toward a bottom-line, efficiency-first mindset that can feel brusque, abrasive or dissonant when it comes up against a people-centered nonprofit culture.Misaligned Logic: Standard providers often recommend solutions based on revenue generation, failing to understand the resource-constrained and programmatic realities of the nonprofit sector when making IT investments or dealing with legacy IT.The Priority Problem: In a large, general-market firm, smaller nonprofit accounts are often deprioritized in favor of more lucrative corporate clients, leading to inconsistent support, junior-level staffing, and frustration.If you feel your current provider doesn’t quite get you, or if you are preparing to search for new support, this episode will help you ask the right questions of your AI tools, your staff, and your potential partners.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Link: How to Vet an MSP for Your NonprofitLink: How do I Know if an MSP is Right for my Organization?  _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In this Nonprofit AI Podcast midweek check-in, Carolyn explores what it means to have agency in the age of AI. With so much pressure to adopt new tools, it can feel like nonprofits have no choice — but Carolyn makes the case that you and your organization have more power than you think, both in the tools you choose and the advocacy you pursue.The conversation covers the environmental and community impacts of AI infrastructure, and what nonprofits can actually do about it. Carolyn discusses:Why individual AI use matter less than local and collective advocacy around data center regulation.Advocacy looks different in different locations where data centers are going in at a furious pace. Water issues? Electricity costs? Sites? Your advocacy should be local too. The community impacts of data center siting are complex — Carolyn gave just one example of institutional racism and the displacement over time of historic Black landowners in Northern Virginia.Creative policy models from Europe that nonprofits can advocate for in their own communities.You can align your AI tool choices with your organization's values — and why that matters.An update on Anthropic's lawsuit against the Department of Defense over its supply chain risk designation.As AI infrastructure expands so quickly, Carolyn encourages nonprofits to stay engaged — using AI intentionally while advocating for the communities and values they serve.Resources Mentioned:Webinar: AI Reluctance for Nonprofits, Josh Peskay and Kim Snyder, Meet the Moment: https://www.roundtabletechnology.com/news-and-events/webinar-library/thank-you/ai-resistance-for-nonprofitsTechSoup AI Training: https://techsoup.course.tc/catalog/exploring-ai-with-microsoft-toolsAnthropic vs the Pentagon to date: https://techcrunch.com/2026/03/09/anthropic-sues-defense-department-over-supply-chain-risk-designation/https://www.npr.org/2026/03/09/nx-s1-5742548/anthropic-pentagon-lawsuit-amodai-hegseth _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

If you have wondered about the real difference between using a free tool like ChatGPT and an enterprise-level solution like Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini, this episode will provide much-needed clarity. While the potential for efficiency is high, many nonprofit leaders are rightfully concerned about data security and how to ensure they are using these models safely.In part one from their recent webinar, Community IT Outreach Director Carolyn Woodard is joined by Chief Technology Officer Matt Eshleman to demystify the current AI tool landscape, particularly for data security. In part two, Matt and Carolyn go over ways to tell you are logged in to your official account or not, the importance of continuous and iterative staff education, and how (and why) to get started creating AI policies to share with staff. They were only able to answer a few questions from registration and the audience during this webinar; you can find more questions answered on our reddit community page: https://www.reddit.com/r/NonprofitITManagement/ or in the transcript on our website here: https://communityit.com/webinar-how-to-use-ai-tools-safely-at-nonprofits/Whether you are already using AI daily or are just beginning to explore its possibilities, this discussion offers a professional and grounded look at how to navigate these tools securely. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In this Nonprofit AI Podcast, Carolyn explores the complex intersection of nonprofit values and AI vendor ethics. Following a high-profile public dispute between the Pentagon and major AI providers, we look at what these corporate decisions mean for organizations that prioritize mission-aligned technology.The conversation covers the practical side of AI safety, moving beyond the headlines to answer urgent questions from our recent webinar. Carolyn discusses:The ethical ripple effects of the Anthropic and OpenAI rivalry regarding government contracts.Why enterprise-level licenses are the primary recommendation for protecting sensitive nonprofit data.How to navigate privacy when using AI for board meeting transcriptions and note-taking.Practical steps to turn off model training in freemium tools like ChatGPT and Gemini.The existential question: Is adopting AI truly inevitable for the nonprofit sector?As AI continues to disrupt education, health, and environmental sectors, Carolyn discusses the importance of intentionality—whether your organization chooses to opt in or opt out.Resources Mentioned:Community IT Subreddit Webinar Q&A: https://www.reddit.com/r/NonprofitITManagement/comments/1rekaqk/qa_how_to_use_ai_tools_safely_at_nonprofits/LinkedIn Guide: Turning off AI model training from Kim Snyder, AI for Nonprofits Trainer at Tech Soup and Meet the MomentUpcoming: Part two of our AI safety webinar series with Matt Eshelman. Full video here: https://communityit.com/webinar-how-to-use-ai-tools-safely-at-nonprofits/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

If you have wondered about the real difference between using a free tool like ChatGPT and an enterprise-level solution like Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini, this episode will provide much-needed clarity. While the potential for efficiency is high, many nonprofit leaders are rightfully concerned about data security and how to ensure they are using these models safely.In part one from their recent webinar, Community IT Outreach Director Carolyn Woodard is joined by Chief Technology Officer Matt Eshleman to demystify the current AI tool landscape, particularly for data security. In part two, Matt and Carolyn go over ways to tell you are logged in to your official account or not, the importance of continuous and iterative staff education, and how (and why) to get started creating AI policies to share with staff.This episode one covers:The distinction between freemium AI models and enterprise-protected tools.The AI continuum, ranging from assistive technology to workflow assistants to autonomous agents.A breakdown of pricing tiers and what nonprofits can expect in terms of data privacy and functionality.Practical advice on why terms and conditions matter when protecting your organizational data.Whether you are already using AI daily or are just beginning to explore its possibilities, this discussion offers a professional and grounded look at how to navigate these tools securely. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Resources shared in this episode: Gallop Poll January 2026 on AI use: https://apnews.com/article/ai-workplace-gemini-chatgpt-poll-4934bc61d039508db32bc49f85d63d99Build Consulting 5 Category AI Implementation Framework by Kyle Haines: https://buildconsulting.com/blog/a-strategic-framework-for-nonprofit-ai-investment/1: Return on Investment - what are you trying to do, and is an AI tool the best way to do it? 2. Technical and Data Feasibility - are you ready? Is your data ready? 3. Mitigating AI Risks - legal, ethical, reputational...4. Anticipating Costs - AI tools are not free5. Change Impacts - making sure intentional change management is in place.How AI is changing search, Yoast wrap up from 2025: https://yoast.com/seo-in-2025-wrap-up/ AI Literacy Measures and Suggestions from US Department of Labor: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ETA/advisories/TEN/2025/TEN%2007-25/TEN%2007-25%20%28complete%20document%29.pdfAI Literacy Measures: 1. Understand AI Concepts2. Explore AI Uses3. Direct AI Effectively4. Evaluate AI Outputs5. Use AI ResponsiblyDelivery Principles for AI Literacy Growth1. Enable Experiential Learning2. Embed Learning in Context3. Build Complementary Human Skills 4. Address Prerequisites to AI Literacy5. Create Pathways for AI Learning6. Prepare Enabling Roles7. Design for AgilityWebinar: How to Use AI Tools Safely at Your Nonprofit with Matthew Eshleman. https://communityit.com/webinar-how-to-use-ai-tools-safely-at-nonprofits/ _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In this episode host Carolyn Woodard is joined by Norwin Herrera, IT Business Manager and Team Lead at Community IT. Together, they walk through a real-world case study of a public charter school that implemented a Single Sign-On (SSO) platform called Clever that can solve cybersecurity and accessibility challenges for adult or child students.Strategic IT Leadership for NonprofitsUnlike a traditional account manager, an IT Business Manager (ITBM) acts as a strategic partner, helping nonprofit leadership understand the technology landscape and make informed decisions that align with their mission. The ITBM role is unique to Community IT and is an example of a commitment to partnering with clients over the long term.In this case, the goal was to find a SSO solution that could handle a complex mix of Chromebooks and Windows devices while remaining user-friendly for both adult students and faculty.The Power of Single Sign-OnSSO acts as one door for all of your doors. By using Clever as an identity manager, the organization was able to:Enhance Cybersecurity: Centralizing access allows for immediate offboarding. If a student or staff member leaves, closing one account automatically secures access to all others, prevents fraud, and saves money.Automate User Provisioning: Through zero intervention integration with the Student Information System (SIS), accounts are created or deactivated automatically based on enrollment status.Improve User Experience: Students no longer need to remember multiple different passwords for Google, Microsoft, Zoom, and Slack for example. One password provides access to all the apps they have access to as a student using a school device.Reduce Administrative Costs: Norwin breaks down the ROI of SSO, comparing a small per-user fee against the hundreds of hours of manual labor required to manage accounts individually.Change Management and Successful ImplementationA successful IT project is about more than just software; it is about people. Norwin explains why this project resulted in zero tickets and no complaints: it started with leadership buy-in and a commitment to clear communication.Whether you are an executive at a school or a volunteer board member at a community nonprofit, this episode offers practical insights into how integrated cybersecurity and strategic IT planning can save your organization time and money.Listen in to learn how your organization can move toward a more secure and efficient digital future by subscribing to the Community IT Innovators Technology Topics podcast. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Nonprofit AI: Vetting Your Tools and Understanding AI AgentsIn this midweek AI check-in, Carolyn Woodard explores how nonprofit leaders can make informed, safe decisions in an increasingly crowded technology landscape. The episode begins with a review of a new AI Tools Safety Guide specifically designed for the nonprofit sector. This resource evaluates popular tools based on the criteria that matter most to mission-driven organizations: data privacy, security, and ethical responsibility.Carolyn also demystifies the concept of AI Agents. By breaking down the hierarchy of AI—from simple bots and assistants to more autonomous agents—she explains how these specialized tools can eventually handle the busy work of repetitive tasks, such as cross-referencing spreadsheets or organizing files. Whether you are just starting to draft your organization's AI usage policy or you are looking for ways to streamline your internal workflows, this episode provides practical guardrails for navigating AI adoption at nonprofits.Featured ResourcesTool: AI Tools Safety Guide for Nonprofits Visit Meet the Moment A searchable directory of AI tools evaluated for trust and safety by reputable nonprofit technology experts. It’s an ideal starting point for organizations with strict data handling needs and limited research time.Template: AI Acceptable Use Policy Download from Community IT IT is better to establish clear principles now than to wait for time to make a perfect policy. This template helps you communicate expectations to your staff and board regarding the use of generative AI.Community Discussion: Nonprofit IT Management Join the Reddit Community Have a specific question about an AI tool or a repetitive task you'd like to automate? Connect with Carolyn and other nonprofit professionals on our dedicated subreddit to share insights and ask questions. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Building Stronger Teams: Purposeful Connection in a Remote WorldHow do you maintain a cohesive, supportive team when the office is now spread across dozens of different locations? In this episode, Carolyn Woodard sits down with Saba Gebru, Vice President of Support Services at Community IT, to discuss the intentional work required to foster teamwork in a remote and hybrid environment.Saba shares how Community IT transitioned through the pandemic and emerged with a deeper understanding of why social connection isn't just extra—it’s essential for better service delivery. When technicians feel supported and connected to one another, our clients benefit from the collective knowledge of the entire firm, not just a single individual. We also discuss how to keep team building from feeling mandatory by aligning activities with mission-driven values, such as local volunteerism and servant leadership.Featured ResourcesCommunity IT Values: Our Story | Read More Learn more about the core values that guide our team—including balance and transparency—and how these principles help us better serve the nonprofit community.Guide: Managing Remote Teams for Nonprofits | View Article For managers looking to refine their remote operations, this guide offers practical tips on the tools and cultural shifts necessary to keep a distributed workforce engaged and secure.Case Study: 100% Remote Work Implementation with Microsoft Cloud | Read the Case Study Transitioning to a fully remote model requires more than just a change in mindset; it requires a robust technical foundation. This case study follows a large nonprofit as they navigated a rapid shift to 100% remote work. By leveraging Microsoft Cloud tools the organization was able to deploy hardware and support staff across the country without ever needing to meet in person, proving that with the right roadmap, technology can bridge the gap between physical distance and mission-critical collaboration.Next Step for Your OrganizationBuilding a strong team culture is an ongoing process, especially in the remote era. If you haven't recently checked in with your staff about what they need to feel connected, consider making it a priority in your next departmental meeting. Start the conversation by asking for feedback on what types of optional social or volunteer activities might resonate with their values. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Nonprofit AI Check-in: Reclaiming Human Rights and Protecting Local CommunitiesIn this midweek check-in, Carolyn Woodard steps back from the technical "how-to" of AI to look at the "why" behind the ethical concerns many nonprofit leaders are feeling. This episode focuses on two significant areas where AI intersects with our core mission of serving others: the protection of basic human rights and the physical impact of the infrastructure that makes AI possible.First, we explore insights from human rights lawyer Malika Saada Saar on how we can reclaim AI to serve dignity and democracy rather than ceding it to companies that make a profit by exploiting sensitive and marginalized groups. Second, we look at the reality of the data centers powering these tools—specifically the environmental and economic pressures they place on local residents. Carolyn shares resources on creating Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) with data centers as a path forward for local communities.Whether it's protecting a survivor’s right to privacy or ensuring a local community has a say in how a data center is built, these are the human issues that will define how we use technology in the years to come.Featured ResourcesWebinar: Slow Violence, Fast Tech | Watch on YouTube In this 30-minute session from All Tech Is Human, human rights lawyer Malika Saada Saar discusses the "slow violence" of AI and how nonprofits can advocate for technology designed with consent and safety in mind, particularly for women, children, and marginalized communities.Report: Why Community Benefit Agreements are Necessary for Data Centers | Read at Brookings As data centers expand rapidly across the U.S., this Brookings Institution paper explains how "Community Benefit Agreements" (CBAs) can help local leaders and residents negotiate for transparency, environmental protections, and shared economic benefits.Community IT Resource: AI Ethics and Policy Webinar | View the Framework If you are ready to start moving from learning to doing, this webinar provides a practical framework for nonprofits to begin drafting their own AI use policies and start conversations around ethics.Next Step for Your OrganizationDoes your nonprofit have an AI ethics policy yet? If not, now is the perfect time to start the conversation with your leadership and board. You don't need to be a technical expert to advocate for your organization's values. We encourage you to use these resources to continue your education and ensure that your use of AI remains mission-aligned. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

In this special anniversary episode, we celebrate a major milestone: 25 years of Community IT. Founded on February 1, 2001, by David Deal as a mission-focused spin-out from Reliacom, Community IT has spent a quarter-century navigating the ever-changing tides of technology for nonprofits exclusively. CEO Johan Hammerstrom, who was one of the early employees to move from Reliacom to the new company, joins us to reflect on our journey from the early days of wiring offices for the internet to our modern role as a national provider of remote IT services and cybersecurity. We discuss how our bedrock foundation of servant-leadership has allowed us to remain a stable, trusted partner for the nonprofit community through dot-com busts, financial crises, and global shifts in how we work.Beyond the history of servers and software, this conversation focuses on the vibrant people who make our mission possible. Johan shares why it is useless to predict exactly where IT will be in five years, and why Community IT instead invests in the creative, dedicated staff who can guide nonprofits through whatever the future holds. Whether you have been a partner since our founding or are just joining our community, tune in to hear how our commitment to technology expertise ensures that nonprofits can stay focused on their missions, no matter how the digital landscape evolves. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

To follow on from our recent discussions regarding the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence in the nonprofit sector, this episode explores the critical technical and privacy distinctions between public and enterprise AI tools. The CISA Incident and the AI Privacy GapLast week, news outlets including Politico reported that the interim director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Madhu Gottumukkala, mistakenly uploaded sensitive government contracting documents into a public version of ChatGPT. This triggered automated security warnings designed to prevent the unintentional disclosure of government material.This incident highlights that anyone can mistakenly upload sensitive data to a public tool. Even the head of CISA.Key Differences Between Public and Enterprise AI:Data Privacy: Enterprise versions (like Microsoft Copilot for 365 or Gemini for Workspace) keep your prompts and data within your organizational "cloud boundary." Your information is not used to train the underlying public models.AI Search and Permissions: With Enterprise AI, the tool can surface any document a user has permission to see. This makes cleaning up your SharePoint or Google Drive permissions essential to avoid sensitive files being inadvertently surfaced via AI search. Pay attention to files that have been shared with "anyone with this link" because Copilot and Gemini will view that as granting permission to anyone searching. Finally, spend time on staff training on how to save and share files so that permissions will need less clean up going forward. Commercial Protections: Enterprise licenses include copyright indemnity that are absent in public versions.Security: Enterprise licenses give IT management and administrative controls which are essential to securing your nonprofit's valuable data. Resources:Trump’s acting cyber chief uploaded sensitive files into a public version of ChatGPT from Politico by John Sakellariadis, published Jan 27, 2026. https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/27/cisa-madhu-gottumukkala-chatgpt-00749361"The interim head of the country’s cyber defense agency uploaded sensitive contracting documents into a public version of ChatGPT last summer, ... The material included CISA contracting documents marked 'for official use only,' a government designation for information that is considered sensitive and not for public release."Microsoft Copilot vs. ChatGPT: Data Protection Explained from Community IT."If you are using Copilot with a 365 subscription, your prompts and data are not used to train the underlying large language model. It keeps your data within your enterprise cloud boundary... This protection only applies when you are signed in to an eligible work or school account."Upcoming Webinar: Verifying Your AI SecurityJoin Community IT CTO Matt Eshleman on February 25th to learn how to distinguish between public and enterprise accounts. Register here: How to Use AI Tools Safely at Nonprofits _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Panel Discussion with Matt Eshleman, Steve Longenecker, Jennifer Huftalen, and Carolyn WoodardOur experts answered your questions about where nonprofit tech is going next.In part 1, Community IT senior staff discuss nonprofits and AI, and updated cybersecurity trends to be aware of. In part 2, they discuss updates to Microsoft and Google Workspace, and take audience Q&A. AI, Cybersecurity, Google Workspace v Microsoft Office, Gemini v Copilot or ChatGPT or another generative AI tool, AI agents, AI FOMO, data data data, safety and security of your staff, budgeting for and maintaining basic IT, not to mention fancy IT … anything else you want to know about?We don’t have a crystal ball but we do know our way around nonprofit IT.We’ll look back at the trends of 2025 and what we got right last January, and we’ll look ahead to make predictions for 2026.The nonprofit tech roundtable is always one of our most popular webinars every year. As with all our webinars, this presentation is appropriate for an audience of varied IT experience. Community IT is proudly vendor-agnostic, and our webinars cover a range of topics and discussions. Webinars are never a sales pitch, always a way to share our knowledge with our community. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

To follow on from last week's episode of the ethical issues around AI use and companies generally that nonprofits and the philanthropy sector need to discuss and evaluate through the lens of organization values and mission, here are some resources for moving forward with that discussion of ethics as you put your policy in place and refine it. How Nonprofits Can Resist the AI Efficiency Trap from Nonprofit Quarterly by James A Lomastro, published Oct 28, 2025.  https://nonprofitquarterly.org/how-nonprofits-can-resist-the-ai-efficiency-trap/ "Today, when nonprofits implement AI without protecting workers’ judgment and autonomy, they facilitate a similar transfer of power. The tacit understanding of experienced staff—knowing which families need outreach, when silence signals distrust, and which community leaders bridge cultural gaps—is extracted into databases and algorithms....The “AI efficiency trap” plays out in familiar ways: Time savings often lead not to relief, but to higher expectations. Workers may feel more productive yet overwhelmed, as efficiency gains are absorbed into rising demands instead of reducing workloads. In nonprofits, if AI is used solely to expedite routine tasks, it can exacerbate burnout and diminish time for relationship building or advocacy—the work that drives lasting change...Steps leaders can take are:Invest in bias-aware AI governancePosition experienced staff as strategy guidesDevelop new productivity measurements."Other resources referenced in this episode: Ethics, AI Tools, and Policies Webinar from Community IT: https://communityit.com/webinar-nonprofit-ai-framework/AI With Purpose: How Foundations and Nonprofits Are Thinking About and Using Artificial Intelligence from the Center for Effective Philanthropy (with lots of other resources on their site for the sector) https://cep.org/report-backpacks/ai-with-purpose-how-foundations-and-nonprofits-are-thinking-about-and-using-artificial-intelligence/Humanity AI consortium project from 10 Foundations https://humanityai.ai/ Humanity AI is uniting philanthropy in a broad coalition to build a more human(e) future in which AI is shaped by and for people.Tech to the Rescue matchmaking ideal AI projects from the social impact sector with ecosystem partners for funding and expertise. https://techtotherescue.org/Board.dev matchmaking tech-savvy individuals looking to serve on nonprofit boards with the nonprofits that need their expertise. https://board.dev/Responsible AI Adoption for Nonprofits: a Holistic Support Model webinar Jan 28, 2026 with Tech to the Rescue and Board.dev. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DSDEIrLFQxSApI8zQIUhyA#/registration _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

Panel Discussion with Matt Eshleman, Steve Longenecker, Jennifer Huftalen, and Carolyn WoodardOur experts answered your questions about where nonprofit tech is going next.In part 1, Community IT senior staff discuss nonprofits and AI, and updated cybersecurity trends to be aware of. In part 2, they discuss updates to Microsoft and Google Workspace, and take audience Q&A. AI, Cybersecurity, Google Workspace v Microsoft Office, Gemini v Copilot or ChatGPT or another generative AI tool, AI agents, AI FOMO, data data data, safety and security of your staff, budgeting for and maintaining basic IT, not to mention fancy IT … anything else you want to know about?We don’t have a crystal ball but we do know our way around nonprofit IT.We’ll look back at the trends of 2025 and what we got right last January, and we’ll look ahead to make predictions for 2026.The nonprofit tech roundtable is always one of our most popular webinars every year. As with all our webinars, this presentation is appropriate for an audience of varied IT experience. Community IT is proudly vendor-agnostic, and our webinars cover a range of topics and discussions. Webinars are never a sales pitch, always a way to share our knowledge with our community. _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening. 

As AI tools become more integrated into our nonprofits' daily workflows, it can feel as though the technology is moving faster than our ability to evaluate it. However, for mission-driven organizations, technology adoption isn't just a matter of efficiency—it’s a reflection of our values. This episode steps back from the technical aspects of AI tools for nonprofits and explores the significant ethical questions that every nonprofit leader and board member should consider when shaping their AI policies.Carolyn explores the complex human issues that often get lost in the marketing noise, from the environmental and community costs of massive data centers to the inherent biases found in Large Language Models. She also discusses the potential risks to mental health and the concerns surrounding the concentration of power within a few global tech giants. Our goal isn’t to steer you toward a specific choice, but to provide a framework for understanding how these tools may intersect—or conflict—with your commitment to equity, sustainability, and community trust.This conversation is designed to be a starting point for your internal discussions. We cover four major areas of concern: power imbalances, bias and exploitation, environmental impact, and the psychological effects of AI-human interactions. By acknowledging these challenges openly, nonprofit professionals can make more informed, intentional decisions about if, when, and how to use these tools in a way that truly serves their mission and the people they support.Resources: https://www.wired.com/ai-issue/ Imbalance of Power:https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenwolfepereira/2026/01/20/davos-wont-save-us-from-ai-the-boardroom-might-be-our-last-hope/https://nonprofitquarterly.org/how-nonprofits-can-resist-the-ai-efficiency-trap/https://medium.com/@Craig_W/the-corporate-playbook-when-good-ai-goes-bad-by-design-aedf9621b07bBias and Exploitation: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/ai-biasRacism, Surveillance and AI panel, Howard University, October 2025Environmental and Community Impact:https://news.mit.edu/2025/explained-generative-ai-environmental-impact-0117https://naacp.org/campaigns/stop-dirty-data-centersMental Health Impacts:https://jedfoundation.org/american-psychological-association-on-generative-ai/https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/preliminary-report-on-dangers-of-ai-chatbots _______________________________Start a conversation :)Register to attend a webinar in real time, and find all past transcripts at https://communityit.com/webinars/email Carolyn at [email protected] LinkedIn on reddit/r/nonprofitITmanagementon the Community IT websiteThanks for listening.