Artificial intelligence is becoming part of everyday nonprofit operations, from finance and fundraising to communications and administration. While many organizations are exploring AI’s potential, successful adoption requires more than simply using new tools. It requires thoughtful governance, clear guidelines, and sound decision-making.

During Nonprofit Power Week on The Nonprofit Show, Patricia Bueso, Client Services Technology Adoption Manager at Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC), shared practical strategies for helping nonprofits move from AI experimentation to meaningful organizational impact.

One statistic highlights the opportunity ahead: while 92% of nonprofits are using or experimenting with AI, only 7% report using it in ways that create significant value. Most nonprofits have access to the technology. The difference comes from understanding where AI can be most effective, where risks exist, and where human oversight remains essential.

Patricia recommends starting with existing workflows. Identify potential use cases across your organization, then evaluate each based on value, effort, and risk. One important question should guide every conversation: What happens if the AI gets it wrong?

Lower-risk applications may include brainstorming ideas, drafting emails, creating outlines, or summarizing meetings. As AI begins influencing financial analysis, donor strategies, or organizational decisions, the level of risk increases and stronger oversight becomes necessary.

Data governance is another critical consideration. Nonprofits should understand where their data is stored, how long vendors retain it, who has access to it, and what happens when a subscription ends. Reviewing security standards such as SOC 2 and involving IT professionals or technology-minded board members can help organizations make informed decisions.

As Patricia shared during the session, “Guidelines help protect the adventurous and reassure the cautious.”

Good governance doesn’t have to slow innovation. Nonprofits create clear guardrails that manage risk while allowing teams to explore AI confidently, responsibly, and with greater impact.

00:00:00 Adopting AI You Can Actually Trust

00:03:47 The 92% vs. 7% Nonprofit AI Gap

00:05:20 Start With Workflows, Not AI Tools

00:07:27 What Happens When AI Is Wrong?

00:08:02 Low, Medium and High AI Risk

00:10:46 Human Judgment Is the Essential Control

00:12:50 Where Does Your Nonprofit’s Data Go?

00:15:00 AI Configuration, SOC 2 and Data Security

00:17:10 Questions to Ask Before Trusting an AI Vendor

00:20:40 What Nonprofits Can Actually Control

00:21:49 Governance Before Technology

00:24:51 Training Staff to Use AI Confidently

00:26:44 AI Should Support Judgment—Not Replace It

Nonprofits and AI: 92% Are Using It, But Only 7% Use It Well from American Nonprofit Academy on Vimeo

 

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