Foundations of Nonprofit AI Strategy

This unit establishes a strategic foundation by examining the current nonprofit landscape, the drivers of change, and the imperative for innovation. Learners will gain core AI literacy—demystifying technologies, trends, and myths—and begin translating that understanding into an initial roadmap for AI-informed nonprofit practice.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the current nonprofit sector dynamics, including challenges (e.g., generosity crisis) and opportunities, to explain why innovation is required
• Evaluate contemporary AI trends, evolution, and common misconceptions to determine their potential risks and benefits for nonprofit functions
• Demonstrate foundational AI fluency by explaining key concepts (e.g., AI vs. augmented intelligence, the AI hype cycle) and linking them to nonprofit use cases
• Apply strategic thinking to draft an initial AI-first roadmap that prioritizes functional areas, workforce implications, and ethical considerations for a nonprofit organization