I have always worked for nonprofits becuase I love to work with teams who are as passionate about the mission as I am. So I know how resource-constrained those teams can be. Many non-profits are doing big things with small budgets, lean teams, and minimal overhead. That kind of work demands creativity, hustle, and, increasingly, smarter tools.

At an executive learning session I attended last week, the conversation focused on how nonprofits can leverage AI. In my own work, I’ve found AI helpful as a brainstorming partner and a starting point for tasks that would otherwise eat up a lot of my time, like drafting basic marketing text or form letters. In past roles, I’ve used enterprise tools that applied AI to personalize newsletters and support members through chatbots. These aren’t just shiny toys. They have made a positive impact on the work of the organization.

It got me thinking about the ways I’ve seen AI support the work of nonprofits—not by replacing people, but by creating space for people to do what only humans can do: think strategically, build relationships, and create novel solutions.

If we’re going to continue driving impact with limited resources, we need to work smarter. Not every problem can be solved with technology, but some of our bottlenecks can. And in an environment where staff are often stretched thin, constanting seeking gains in efficiency is essential.

I’d love to hear from you: How have you and your teams been experimenting with AI in your work? Where are you finding value—and what challenges or hesitations are you navigating?