Building AI Readiness, Together
On November 5, leaders from seven MACC member organizations filled the room at MACC Headquarters for a full day of learning, problem-solving, and honest conversation about artificial intelligence. Led by Karen Graham of Karen Graham Consulting it was the first in-person gathering of the MACC AI Readiness Cohort, and a milestone for our network.
The goal of the day was to help our nonprofit member leaders move from uncertainty about AI to a clear, values-driven plan for using it responsibly.
Why we launched this cohort
AI is already part of how many nonprofits work, whether or not there’s an official policy in place. Staff are using these tools to write, research, analyze information, and get everyday tasks done. The question for most organizations is no longer whether AI will be used. It’s how to make sure it’s used responsibly, ethically, and strategically.
That’s a lot to figure out alone, especially for organizations without the budget for one-on-one consulting. The AI Readiness Cohort pairs expert instruction and individualized guidance with something just as valuable: a group of peers working through the same questions at the same time. For MACC this is a dual investment: we get to learn along alongside our members AND grow AI learning across our network over time.
Inside the workshop
The day was hands-on from start to finish. Teams of two or three staff from each organization, from executive directors to program, finance, fundraising, and communications leads, worked through:
- AI fundamentals for nonprofits: what these tools are, what they’re good at, and where they fall short
- Process mapping: looking closely at their own day-to-day work to find where AI could make a meaningful difference
- Risk and benefit analysis: weighing potential gains against privacy, security, and ethical considerations
- AI policy development: starting their own organizational AI policies using proven templates
- Adoption planning: sketching a phased plan that fits each organization’s goals and capacity
Some of the best moments came from the conversations between organizations, as leaders compared notes on what they’re already seeing and what worries them most.
Thoughtful by design
Nonprofits hold something precious: the trust of the people and communities they serve. That trust shapes everything about how we’re approaching AI.
This cohort isn’t about adopting AI for its own sake or chasing the newest tool. It’s about giving leaders the knowledge and confidence to ask the right questions. What data should never go into an AI tool? How do we protect client privacy? Where does human judgment need to stay firmly in charge? What guidance do our staff need right now?
The workshop is just the beginning. The cohort continues through March 2027. We hope the relationships formed through this cohort will last well beyond the program, too, as a growing peer network of nonprofit leaders learning from one another.
Thank you to the seven organizations who are part of this first cohort: Avenues for Youth, Phyllis Wheatley Community Center, Native Sun Community Power Development, Simpson Housing Services, EMERGE Community Development, FamilyWise Services, and Community Action Center of Northfield. We’re grateful for your curiosity, candor, and commitment to doing this well.
Want to dive deeper?
We recently hosted Karen Graham on our MACC podcast for a candid conversation on what AI is actually doing to the daily work of nonprofit professionals, where the real risks lie, and how organizations can start using it responsibly. Listen now!
