At Neon One, we create technology that empowers nonprofits to connect with their communities. Given the growing conversation around artificial intelligence (AI), we recognized a need to connect with our own internal community to talk about how we want to incorporate AI, both in our work and in our products—and how comfortable our various teams felt with using these tools.
Starting the Conversation: Our Internal AI Readiness Survey
Our exploration began when our CEO, Keith Reed, opened up a company-wide dialogue about AI at one of our regular staff meetings.
He emphasized that AI is not just another passing trend—it’s a strategic imperative shaping how industries operate, including ours. He highlighted the importance of approaching AI with intentionality and thoughtfulness, rather than reacting impulsively to its widespread adoption.
This open conversation brought up important questions, notably around ethical considerations, environmental impacts, and the genuine concerns our teams had about adopting AI.
To delve deeper into these insights, we conducted an internal AI Readiness Survey. The results highlighted both enthusiasm and caution:
- Curiosity & Optimism: 72% of our team expressed excitement or curiosity about integrating AI into daily processes.
- AI Familiarity: 87% of our team regularly engages with AI tools, indicating existing comfort and practical familiarity.
- Thoughtful Concerns: The top concern identified by our team (56%) revolved around data privacy and security, demonstrating a collective commitment to responsible and ethical AI adoption.
Addressing Skepticism with Data
It’s also important to acknowledge and address broader skepticism in the sector. According to GivingTuesday’s AI Readiness Report, nearly half of nonprofit leaders express significant concern about AI’s potential negative impacts, including job displacement and ethical dilemmas.
Despite these concerns, the same research indicates that 60% of nonprofit leaders recognize AI’s potential to significantly enhance operational efficiency and improve donor engagement—especially when implemented thoughtfully and transparently.
This skepticism isn’t unfounded—and it’s not unique to nonprofits. According to a Fast Company report, nearly two-thirds of employees in the for-profit sector are actively resisting or even sabotaging AI initiatives at work. Why? The top reason is a lack of clarity and communication. Employees don’t understand the purpose of the AI tools being introduced, feel excluded from decision-making, and worry that their skills are being undervalued or replaced.
These insights underscore a key takeaway: Successful AI integration is as much about trust and communication as it is about technology.
Organizations that prioritize transparency, training, and intentional rollout strategies are more likely to see meaningful results. In fact, a recent Deloitte study found that AI adoption has the highest return on investment when organizations pair it with organizational change initiatives, such as workforce education and strategic goal alignment.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that while “AI” is often shorthand for Large Language Models like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, AI encompasses a much broader ecosystem. From automation tools like Zapier to AI-powered analytics, nonprofits can explore a variety of approaches that don’t require the use of generative AI to see real value.
Even if your organization opts out of LLMs, you can still harness AI to reduce manual work, improve responsiveness, and focus more energy on mission-critical efforts.
Practical AI Applications at Neon One
Our internal survey illuminated ways our teams are already effectively using AI to support our nonprofit community:
- Enhanced Communication & Content Creation: AI-driven analysis helped us evaluate thousands of nonprofit email subject lines for emotional sentiment, empowering nonprofits like yours to craft more engaging, resonant communications. Explore insights from this research.
- Improved Customer Engagement & Streamlined Workflows: AI integrations with Zapier and Zendesk automate routine tasks, freeing our teams to focus on meaningful interactions and creative problem-solving.
- AI-Enhanced Content Management: We’ve integrated an AI Assistant into our Content Management System (CMS), enabling nonprofits to create engaging, mission-driven content efficiently.
These applications demonstrate how AI, when used thoughtfully, can enhance efficiency and deepen engagement, helping nonprofits build stronger connections with their communities.
Tools to Kickstart Your Nonprofit’s AI Journey
Inspired by our internal assessment, we’ve developed resources to help your nonprofit assess your own AI readiness:
- AI Readiness Discussion Guide: A straightforward, printable guide to facilitate meaningful team conversations around AI.
- AI Readiness Survey Template: A customizable Google Form designed to capture thoughtful insights from your team, volunteers, and broader community.
These have been adapted from our internal discussions that were initially inspired by the fantastic work that Liza Adams outlined in her Leader’s Playbook: How a Lean Team Transformed Into a Human-AI Powerhouse, as well as the work we’re doing with nonprofit leaders like yourself. We’ll also share a way we can continue the conversation and learn further from each other’s work here.
Additional Resources for Navigating AI Integration
To dive deeper into responsible AI use, we recommend:
- Fundraising.AI: Practical use cases specifically tailored for nonprofit fundraising.
- NTEN’s AI Resource Hub: Comprehensive best practices, ethical frameworks, and relevant case studies for nonprofits.
Want more great articles like this one?
If you’d like help generating ideas, honing your strategies, and keeping up on the latest trends, you’ll love our monthly nonprofit newsletter.
Navigating AI Together
Intentional and responsible AI adoption can amplify your nonprofit’s impact, but it starts with the right conversations. By assessing readiness, addressing concerns, and exploring practical opportunities, your team can integrate AI in ways that enhance—not replace—human connection.
To help you start, we’re sharing a free AI Readiness Discussion Guide—a simple tool to facilitate thoughtful, mission-driven conversations about AI within your organization.
We’d love to hear how your team is approaching AI. Sign up for our newsletter and shoot us a message or join the discussion on LinkedIn and share your insights as we collectively navigate the future of AI for nonprofits.
