🗞️ AI for Non Profits Network: Thanks for everything - Here's Our Plan for 2026!

The weekly digest from a network of non-profits interested in AI. This week is all about planning for next year.

🆕 What’s Coming in 2026: Building the AI for Non-Profits Network Together

In just a few months since launching, this network has grown to more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders - CEOs, executive directors, and C-suite decision-makers across non-profits - all navigating the same challenge: how to adopt AI responsibly without getting left behind.

What started as a handful of conversations has become the largest concentrated community of nonprofit executives thinking strategically about AI implementation.

As we close out 2025, we’ve been reflecting on the conversations we’ve had with hundreds of nonprofit leaders this year. The same patterns keep emerging: you’re experimenting with AI, but you’re doing it alone. You’re building governance frameworks from scratch. You’re trying to figure out which vendors to trust. You’re wondering if you’re behind, or moving too fast, or asking the wrong questions entirely.

In 2026, we want to figure this out together!

Over the past few months, you’ve helped contribute to the network and told us what you actually need - not more thought pieces about AI’s potential, but practical support for the messy work of implementation. Templates you can adapt. Honest reviews of tools. Peer learning with leaders at similar stages. A place to ask “dumb questions” without judgment.

So here’s what we’re building together in 2026 - and this is your opportunity to get in early.

💬 Private Slack Channel for Non-profit Leaders

Let’s make the community more interactive and engaging. As many of us are already using Slack…

What it is: A members-only Slack community where we can:

• Ask questions in real-time - “Has anyone used (vendor X)?” “How did you handle board objections?” “What metrics should I track?”

• Share templates and resources - Governance docs, RFPs, pilot plans, lessons learned

• Get peer feedback - Post your draft policies, use cases, vendor shortlists for community input

• Find accountability partners - Connect with leaders at similar stages for ongoing support

• Join monthly Q&As - We’ll host open Q&A sessions where you can bring any challenge

🚀 Free to subscribers for a limited time only - Request an Invite by Replying to this email with ‘Slack Invite’

👥 Group Workshops: Share & Learn Together

What is it: Cohort-based workshops (limited to 15 participants) where we work on real challenges together.

We’re launching our first one on Wednesday 28th January, 1400 EST. “From Rung 1 to Rung 2” For organizations moving from ad hoc AI exploration to structured pilots. We’ll release the schedule shortly, but it will include helping you audit your current tools, pick your highest-value use case, build your business case, and design a pilot with clear ROI. We’ll do it through peer learning, with real world testimonies from a handful of other network leaders.

Format:

• 90 minute online session with peers

• Mix of facilitated learning, peer discussion, and tangible outcomes

• Small group so everyone gets personalized attention

• Alumni Slack channel for ongoing support

Free for now! ✋ Get on the waitlist (spaces limited) → Reply to this email with ‘Workshop’

🛠️ Free Templates, Tools & Assessments

What is it: Exactly what is says…tried and tested tools and frameworks, from AI Readiness Assessment to Governance Policy Templates; Pilot Planning Framework to Board Briefing Decks.

You shouldn’t have to build these from scratch. We’re creating the infrastructure so you can move faster and more confidently.

Start now - Refer a friend or colleague and you’ll receive our AI Readiness Assessment Template.

🔬 Early Access to AI Tools for Nonprofits

What it is: We’ll trial and test AI vendors building specifically for nonprofits to give network members:

• Beta access to new tools before public launch

• Extended free trials

• Group discounts negotiated for community members.

• Honest vendor reviews from peers who’ve actually used the tools

The AI vendor landscape is overwhelming and full of hype. We’re creating a trusted filter - and getting you better deals.

Subscribe to get notified when we announce partnerships.

🤝 Why We’re Building This

The gap between organizations with AI resources and those without is widening fast.

The 208 nonprofits that received OpenAI’s People-First Fund grants will really start to motor in 2026 and we think the other 1.5 million nonprofits should also benefit from sector innovation.

🎯 What To Do Now

If you want to be a founding member of the Slack Community: Request an Invite by Replying to this email with ‘Slack Invite’

If you want community and peer support for our first workshop on 28th January Get on the waitlist (spaces limited) → Reply to this email with ‘Workshop’

If you want templates and tools: Refer a friend or colleague

If you want everything: Reply to this email with ‘Everything’

❓ FAQ

Q: Is this only for large nonprofits? No. We’re an inclusive network for all non-profits, especially those that don’t have dedicated tech teams or consulting budgets.

Q: What if I’m at Rung 1 and feel behind? Perfect. Most of the network is at Rung 1. That’s not a problem - it’s a starting point. Our first workshop and most of our templates are specifically for the Rung 1 → Rung 2 transition.

Q: Do I need to use specific AI tools to participate? No. We’re tool-agnostic. Whether you’re using ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, or vendor-specific platforms, the frameworks we’re building apply across tools.

Q: Will you share my organization’s information? Never. Workshop cohorts operate under Chatham House rules. We’ll only feature organizations publicly with explicit permission.

Q: What if I can’t make the Q1 workshop dates? Join the waitlist anyway. We’ll notify you about future cohorts and send you recordings if you’re a registered participant who misses a session.

📧 Questions?

Reply to this email directly. We read every response and typically reply within 24 hours.

If you know a nonprofit leader who should be part of this network, forward this email.

See you in 2026. Let’s build this together.

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