Questions nonprofits ask about AI

What can AI realistically do for a small nonprofit?

Take routine writing and searching off your staff's plate. The uses most likely to pay off:

• Funder reports and grant sections, drafted from your past reports and program summaries.
• Answers to staff and volunteer questions about your own policies and procedures.
• Plain-English questions over your donor CRM or program data, such as "how many repeat donors did we have last spring?"
• Inbox triage, plus templated donor and volunteer messages.
• First drafts of impact and annual reports.

It won't replace your people's judgment, relationships or care. A person signs off on everything that goes out.

Is it safe to use AI with client, donor or health information?

Not by default. Many AI tools send what you type to the provider's servers, and the terms differ between free and paid plans. Start with a simple rule: no names, health details or case notes in a general-purpose AI tool unless your organization has approved the tool and its settings.

My work doesn't need your clients', donors' or staff's personal information. We use your processes, templates and de-identified samples. Which Alberta privacy law applies to you (PIPA, FOIP or HIA) depends on your organization and the information involved. I flag those questions. Your privacy or legal advisors make the call.

What does it cost?

• AI Readiness & Opportunity Assessment: pro bono. Up to 20 hours, scoped in writing.
• Community Advisory: CAD $45/hr, our community rate for nonprofits and charities. That's less than half the standard business rate of CAD $95/hr. Hours estimated and agreed before work starts.

Tools: we start with what you already have. Many AI providers offer nonprofit pricing, and your roadmap lists any tool costs up front.

Why free?

I'm building an independent practice, and real work builds real references. In return I ask for three things: a named lead on your side, honest feedback at the end and, only with your written approval, permission to describe the work as a reference. Nothing naming your organization goes public without that approval.

Pro bono is scoped and capped in writing, just like paid work.

Can you give us a tax receipt for the donated work?

No. Donated services aren't receiptable gifts under CRA rules, so there's no tax receipt. Your proposal states the value of the work at standard rates, so you can acknowledge the in-kind contribution if you want to.

Do we need technical staff or an IT department?

No. You need one person to lead the work on your side, and some time from the people who do the work today. Most of my advice comes in writing. Meetings stay short.

Will AI replace our staff or volunteers?

No. The goal is to give hours back to people who are stretched thin, so they can spend more time on the work only they can do.

What happens after the assessment?

You keep a written roadmap your team can act on alone. Need more help? Work with me at the community rate, with someone else, or not at all. If a bigger project needs funding, the roadmap names possible sources. I don't write grant applications.

Who is a good fit?

Small and mid-sized Alberta nonprofits and charities, roughly 10 to 150 staff, with a donor CRM, case-management or reporting system and one person ready to lead the work. I take on a small number of pro-bono engagements at a time.

How do we start?

Email [email protected] or call +1-403-605-4798. We start with a 20-minute call about what's eating your team's time. If it's a fit, you get a short written proposal: scope, hours and deliverables.