News & Insights

Artificial intelligence has quickly become part of the conversation for nonprofit executives, finance leaders, and board members.  

Some organizations are excited about the possibilities, while others are more cautious about the risks. Many land somewhere in the middle, trying to determine where AI fits within their mission, operations, and long-term strategy.  

The reality is that AI and other emerging technologies are no longer futuristic concepts reserved for large corporations with significant technology budgets. These tools are increasingly built into the everyday software many nonprofits already use. From document management and donor communications to financial reporting and meeting productivity, technology is changing how organizations operate.  

Across the nonprofit sector, organizations of all sizes are experimenting with AI and emerging technologies. Some are just beginning to explore what’s possible, while others are actively incorporating these tools into their daily operations. The organizations seeing the most value aren’t necessarily the most technologically advanced. They are often the ones taking a thoughtful, mission-focused approach to innovation.  

Focus on the Problem, Not the Technology  

One common misconception about AI is that organizations need a comprehensive technology strategy before exploring its potential. A better place to start is with a simple question:  

What work is consuming time that can be redirected toward your mission?  

Nonprofits continue to face increasing demands from donors, regulators, grantors, boards, and the communities they serve. At the same time, many organizations are operating with lean teams and limited resources.  

The most compelling use of AI isn’t necessarily replacing people. It’s helping talented professionals spend less time on administrative tasks and more time advancing the organization’s mission. When nonprofits begin with the challenges they are trying to solve rather than the technology itself, new opportunities often emerge.  

Where Nonprofits Are Finding Value Today  

Many of the most useful AI applications are surprisingly practical. Organizations are using technology to:  

• Summarize lengthy board packets and meeting notes  

• Draft routine communications  

• Analyze survey results and constituent feedback  

• Create initial drafts of policies and procedures  

• Organize and summarize large amounts of information  

• Review contracts and grant requirements  

• Prepare reports and presentations  

• Identify key information within lengthy documents  

Development teams are exploring ways to strengthen donor communications and prepare solicitation materials more efficiently. Finance teams are using technology to review contracts, summarize grant requirements, and identify important information within lengthy documents. Leadership teams are leveraging emerging tools to prepare reports and turn complex information into more actionable insights for boards and stakeholders.  

These applications don’t eliminate the need for human expertise. Instead, they can give staff more time to review, evaluate, and act on information rather than simply gathering and organizing it.  

Preserving Institutional Knowledge  

One of the most significant opportunities for nonprofits may have less to do with efficiency and more to do with knowledge.  

Many organizations rely heavily on long-tenured employees who possess years, and sometimes decades, of institutional knowledge. They understand historical decisions, grant requirements, policies, donor relationships, operational processes, and organizational history that may exist nowhere else.  

As workforce transitions continue across the nonprofit sector, preserving this knowledge is becoming increasingly important.  

Technology can help organizations organize, document, and surface institutional knowledge, making it more accessible to current and future employees. Instead of searching through years of email, network drives, and physical files, staff can more easily locate relevant information and focus on applying it.  

For organizations thinking about succession planning and long-term sustainability, preserving institutional knowledge could become one of the most valuable applications of emerging technology.  

Innovation Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated  

When organizations hear about AI, it’s easy to imagine complex implementations that require significant time and money. Some of the most useful applications, however, are relatively straightforward.  

Organizations are using technology to automatically generate meeting summaries and action items, create searchable knowledge bases for policies and procedures, and streamline onboarding by giving new employees easier access to organizational resources and training materials.  

Others are exploring tools that help development teams identify communication themes that resonate with donors or help leadership teams synthesize constituent feedback from surveys and outreach efforts.  

The common thread isn’t complexity, but intentionality. Successful organizations identify specific challenges and apply technology where it can help solve them.  

Governance Matters  

As exciting as these opportunities may be, technology adoption should be accompanied by thoughtful governance.  

One important factor in successful implementation is the planning that occurs before a tool is deployed. Nonprofits should consider data security, privacy, training, user expectations, and policies related to appropriate use. Staff should understand the capabilities and limitations of the technology they use.  

It’s also important to establish appropriate review processes. Do not accept AI-generated content without human oversight, especially when it involves sensitive information, financial data, external communications, or decisions that affect stakeholders.  

Technology can accelerate work, but it cannot replace professional judgment, organizational knowledge, ethical decision-making, or mission-driven leadership.  

Where Should Nonprofits Begin?  

For organizations just beginning to explore AI and emerging technology, the starting point doesn’t have to be complicated.  

Begin with a Problem  

Consider a process that consumes significant staff time, creates frustration, or requires repetitive manual work. Identify one area where improvement could have a meaningful impact. Pilot a solution with a small group of users, measure the results, and learn from the experience.  

Starting small can help organizations learn faster, identify potential risks, and build practical experience before expanding technology use across the organization.  

Looking Ahead: A Conversation on Real-World Examples of How Nonprofits Are Using Technology 

AI and emerging technologies will continue to shape how nonprofit organizations operate. The organizations that benefit most won’t necessarily be those with the largest technology budgets. They may instead be the organizations willing to experiment thoughtfully, learn continuously, and align innovation with their mission.  

The question for nonprofit leaders is no longer whether AI and emerging technologies will influence their organizations. The more important question is how intentionally organizations choose to embrace it.  

At Maner, these are conversations that continue to shape how the firm works with nonprofit organizations. Evaluating use cases, governance considerations, training needs, and opportunities to integrate emerging technologies into daily workflows can help organizations approach innovation with both curiosity and appropriate caution.  

Our educational webinar invites a panel of nonprofit leaders to explain how they use existing tools and technology to improve efficiency while staying mindful of the risks. Register to join the conversation and get real-world examples of technology in practice in organizations like yours.