Nonprofit Leaders Keep Asking Us About AI

For the past few years, our team at The Collaborative Collective has been walking alongside nonprofit leaders as they wrestle with the implications of Generative AI.

We’ve worked closely with executives at some of the largest mission-driven organizations—budgets north of $20 million—who are asking big, strategic questions: What does Gen AI mean for our mission? What are the risks? What does responsible innovation look like in our space?

But lately, we’re seeing the conversation expand. Small and mid-sized nonprofits are stepping into the dialogue too—realizing that AI isn’t just a “big shop” concern. It’s a leadership issue. A governance issue. A culture issue.

In just the past few weeks, we’ve been invited to speak at several conferences. And once again, we found ourselves scratching our heads…

Not because we’re surprised to be talking about AI—but because we keep getting asked to lead these conversations.

We’re not programmers. We’re not engineers.

But we are deeply fluent in nonprofit operations, governance, HR, and leadership. We do know how to build trust, culture, and systems that work. And we do know how to translate complex topics into meaningful, values-aligned action.

That, we’ve learned, is what nonprofit leaders are really asking for.

They don’t want a salesperson pushing the newest platform. They want someone who understands their world. Someone who can help their board catch up, create space for experimentation, and write policy that balances permission and accountability.

So that’s what we’ve been doing:

• Listening deeply

• Sharing honestly

• Helping nonprofit teams take the next faithful step forward

And here’s what we’re hearing—from nonprofit leaders across the country:

We asked: Where are you on the AI journey—personally, as a team, as an organization, as a board? And these dots tell the story. Most are either stuck in “Ghost Mode,” unsure where to begin, or operating in a kind of “Sandbox Rebellion,” using AI without clarity or policy. Only a few are reaching “Aligned Innovation.”

Generative AI is rapidly reshaping every area of technology—from comms and fundraising to HR and program delivery. Nonprofits can’t afford to sit this one out.

If your team is experimenting without permission or clarity, you’re not just missing opportunities—you’re increasing risk.

The time to act is now.

• Equip your board.

• Create permission and guardrails.

• Get ahead of the policy curve—before you’re unable to catch up.

Explore our Generative AI Policy Development services and start moving from confusion to clarity.

Let’s lead this change—together.