AI
Resources for Philanthropy
Save the Date: Responsible AI in Philanthropy Summit
The Technology Association of Grantmakers (TAG) and Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) are co-hosting a convening for TAG and CMF members and other funders to engage in shared learning and discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) in philanthropy and amplify resources and insights to adopt AI responsibly and in alignment with organization values. This gathering – relevant for those new to AI as well as experienced users – will include keynote presentations and breakout programming, as well as informal networking opportunities.
This event will be held in Detroit, Michigan on May 20, 2025.
Registration is expected to open in February. Stay tuned for further event details!
Spotlight on AI
TAG’s Member Spotlight Series features grantmakers exploring how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support their missions, improve efficiency, and address community challenges. Highlighting a balanced approach to AI adoption, these organizations share insights into both the benefits and complexities of AI in a philanthropic setting.
Through practical lessons, the spotlight series aims to guide others in responsibly using AI to enhance, rather than overshadow, the human-centered work of philanthropy.
This case study focuses on the Annenberg Foundation, a grantmaking organization with a staff of 30, which is beginning to integrate AI into its operations to innovate the support and programs offered to its nonprofit partners and grantees. The foundation’s work is primarily place-based, focusing on the Los Angeles region.
Responsible AI Adoption Framework
As society grapples with the increasing prevalence of AI tools, the “Responsible AI Adoption in Philanthropy” guide provides pragmatic guidance and a holistic evaluation framework for grantmakers to adopt AI in alignment with their core values. The framework emphasizes the responsibility of philanthropic organizations to ensure that the usage of AI enables human flourishing, minimizes risk, and maximizes benefit.
The framework includes considerations for AI adoption in three key areas – Organizational, Ethical, and Technical – each essential for grantmakers considering the use of AI.
Serving as a starting point for decision-makers, the framework provides a catalogue of considerations when exploring or expanding the use of AI.
Recorded Learning Sessions
Creating A Safe Playground for the Adoption Journey
What You Need To Learn
August 20, 2024
Watch the Recording (Members Only)
Getting Started with AI in Philanthropy
What You Need To Know
August 13, 2024
Watch the Recording (Members Only)
AI Adoption for Funders: Release of V1 Framework
December 6, 2023
Watch the Recording
AI in Philanthropy: Trends & Responsible Use
October 26, 2023
Watch the Recording
Reading Materials
Current State Overview
These resources are a great place for an overview of the current landscape of AI technologies and their risks, benefits, and future evolution.
- Generative Artificial Intelligence: Overview, Issues, and Questions for Congress Report to Congress (June 9, 2023)
- Generative Artificial Intelligence and Data Privacy: A Primer (Report to Congress May 23, 2023)
- People’s Guide to AI (Free Download)
- The Foundation Model Transparency Index (Stanford University’s Center for Research on Foundation Models)
General Information
The information provided below has been sourced directly from TAG members.
Articles
- 8 Steps Nonprofits Can Take to Adopt AI Responsibly (SSIR, Sept 2023)
- Accenture and Generative AI: Advice for Business Leaders (CXO Talk, July 2023)
- AI Won’t Replace Humans — But Humans With AI Will Replace Humans Without AI (HBR, Aug 2023)
- “These Women Tried to Warn Us About AI” (Rolling Stone, August 2023)
- Using Federated Machine Learning to Overcome the AI Scale Disadvantage (HBR, Aug 2023)
- Funding Data and AI That Serve the Social Sector (SSIR, May, 2022)
- How Generative AI Has Supercharged the Future of Work (Constellation Research, April 2023)
- AI Is Suddenly Everywhere, but Philanthropy Has Been Involved for Years. Here Are the Top Funders (Inside Philanthropy, July 2023)
- The Philanthropist’s Guide to Nonprofit AI Investments (FastForward, August 2024)
Books
- Genius Makers: The Mavericks Who Brought AI to Google, Facebook, and the World (Cade Metz) Recommended by multiple TAG IT Executives
- Future Normal (Bhargava and Coutinho-Mason)
- Bridging The AI Gap (Abhinav & Raghavan Aggarwa)
- Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies (Nick Bostrom)
Courses
- AI for Everyone by Coursera
- Artificial Intelligence by Digital Impact
Reports
- State of Philanthropy Tech Survey Report (TAG)
- Artificial Intelligence And Worker Well-being: Principles And Best Practices For Developers And Employers (US Department of Labor)
- The Guide to Usefulness of Existing AI Solutions in Nonprofit Organizations (NetHope)
- AI Readiness and Adoption in the Nonprofit Sector (GivingTuesday)
Podcasts
- “The AI Policy Podcast” by Center for Strategic and International Studies
- “Me, Myself, and AI” by MIT Sloan with co-hosts Sam Ransbotham and Shervin Khodabandeh
- “Exponential View” by Azeem Azhar
- “Possible” with Reid Hoffman and Aria Finger
- Unexplainable (Vox Media)