AI for Not for Profits and Community Groups
Are you?
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the not-for-profit and community sector. Whether staff are already using AI or not, it is influencing how organisations communicate, make decisions, deliver services and manage information.
Now, more than ever, organisations need a clear understanding of what AI is, what it can and cannot do, where it creates value, and how to manage the risks that could affect trust, reputation and organisational integrity.
We work with organisations to assess AI readiness, identify practical opportunities, and develop an approach that aligns with your mission, values and capacity. From governance and policy through to staff capability and everyday practice, we help you make informed decisions about where AI can genuinely add value—and where caution is warranted.
Our goal is not simply to introduce AI. It is to help your organisation use it thoughtfully, responsibly and with confidence while protecting the people, communities and relationships that matter most.
– Is your current strategy appropriate for an AI-driven world?
– Are your current processes set up for AI or do they need tweaking or transformation?
– What are the potential risks and gains of using AI products?
– Is your team ready and equipped to use AI tools safely and effectively?
What you will get from the course
Please note: Individual results may vary depending on your context, and the following are general learning outcomes.
As a minimum, you can expect to:
Learn strategies to assess and improve your organisation’s AI readiness, including conducting AI readiness and usage audits.
Understand the pros and cons of AI technology and assess how it could (or should) be integrated into your organisation or group.
Gain insights into ways to use AI creatively to enhance operations, including impact analysis, funding applications, communication with stakeholders, etc.
Strengthen integrity and authenticity by ensuring AI use aligns with vision and values and chances reputation rather than doing damage.
Shadow AI poses risks! Without clear policies, you risk inefficiency and vulnerability.
We found the A.I. training incredibly useful. Maggie was able to share her knowledge with our kaimahi in an engaging and clear way. The concepts around A.I. and its use within our mahi were very thought-provoking, and our teams enjoyed participating in the discussions. Maggie was great to work with and was able to adapt her presentation specifically for our sector.” (Mahi Tahi Hauora, Whangārei)
You will
Make Sense of AI
- Explore AI to understand how it impacts not-for-profits and community groups.
- Learn to deploy AI wisely, integrating it thoughtfully into your strategic planning and operations.
Learn Practical Skills and Applications
- Learn advanced prompting skills, gain an overview of data analysis and also creative tools.
- Develop skills in integrating AI into strategic planning
- Understand how to set up a use policy that is appropriate for your specific context
Develop criticality and confidence with AI applications
- Understand where to keep up to date, where to enact due diligence and how to double-check information and content to ensure it has integrity.
Engage in Hands-On Learning
- Participate in hands-on activities to deepen practical AI knowledge.
- Set up systems to stay on top of AI developments.
- Create tangible appropriate outputs that can be immediately applied in your context.
AI is changing the way we work
The learning I experienced and the knowledge shared by Dr Buxton regarding so many aspects of AI totally exceeded my expectations and blew me away! We heard about and had incredible demonstrations of the good, the bad and the ugly of AI into almost every aspect of our lives. (AI in Communities – Dargaville Participant)
Delivery
Two-Hour Workshops Online or In-Person
We offer a two-hour workshop online or in person (public workshops or on-site for a specific organisation).
These can be introductory overviews or specific workshops on strategic implementation, effective prompting, creative use of AI, etc. We normally tailor our offerings to the needs and context of specific audiences.
Consulting and Coaching Packages
We can work one-to-one and tailor material to your specific needs.
I was sceptical at first with the potential of using AI. After the workshop I came away thinking that even though it is a big scary monster that’s impacting the world in so many ways, It has both positive and negative effects. I learnt that at a community level AI can be a beneficial tool that we can use to progress outcomes faster and perhaps more efficiently. (AI for Not for Profits, Participant)
Thank you so much for sharing your research with us today. Very insightful, thought provoking and practical…. (AI in Communities, Arts Leader)
Frequently Asked Questions
It is ideal for leaders of not for profits and community groups, or those staff who are actively using AI in their practice (eg funding managers, fundraisers, administration staff etc). It will be most useful to those who have power to change or strongly influence policy as much of the content involves strategic case studies.
Technical experts already deploying AI, i.e. coders and developers, will not benefit if this is aimed at beginners up to tech-savvy professionals, not AI professionals. This is also not a course to show how to create AI apps or integrate AI directly in bespoke applications.
We are intending to deliver our courses in 2025 online (via webinars) and face-to-face. We combine interactive lectures, practical case studies, and hands-on exercises to explore AI’s intersection with emerging technologies, fostering a holistic learning experience.
Yes, designed for all levels, the AI training starts with foundational AI concepts and integrates emerging tech insights, ensuring accessibility and relevance for diverse learners. Please note that it is not designed for technical experts already deploying AI i.e. coders and developers.
Ethical frameworks are integrated into the curriculum, emphasising responsible AI practices and holistic perspectives essential for navigating the challenges of this technology being integrated into everything, all at once.
Our AI training stands out for its holistic approach and is guided by instructors with expertise in creativity, technology, business and social change. They are actively researching AI – the good, bag and ugly and keen to share this knowledge with you. We have been working at grass roots level not corporate level and can understand many of the issues facing community groups through active engagement in flax/grass root communities!
What’s your question?
We are happy to chat to you, contact us to make a time.
Strange Intelligences Lab
This AI training course is part of our Strange Intelligences Lab, where we research the relationship between artificial, organic, etheric and other intelligences.
