A practical guide to understanding the difference between open source and closed source AI and how it affects mission-driven teams.

AI isn’t just for tech giants and Silicon Valley startups anymore. It’s already making waves in nonprofits, helping organizations streamline operations, enhance donor engagement, and free up time for mission-critical work.

But here’s the thing: AI comes in different flavors, open source and closed source, and choosing the right one can feel like navigating a sea of options.

Imagine this: You’re in a team meeting, someone mentions AI, and everyone slowly looks down at their notes… because no one’s quite sure who’s supposed to own it. Is it IT? Communications? Operations? That one board member who read an article on LinkedIn?

AI is the new elephant in the room for social impact and nonprofit orgs. Everyone knows it’s important. Everyone feels like they should be doing something with it. But no one is quite sure what, how, or who should lead the charge.

So let’s name it: whose job is it, really, to bring AI into your organization?

A beginner-friendly guide to exploring artificial intelligence for mission-driven teams with a free checklist to help you start smart.

The idea of artificial intelligence can feel like it belongs in a tech lab or sci-fi movie, not in the staff meeting of your local nonprofit. We get it.

But here’s the truth:
AI isn’t the future. It’s the present.

Three Guiding Questions to Build Your Policy

We recommend keeping your first AI policy simple, human-centered, and rooted in clarity. Here’s where we start with our clients:

1. What tools are approved, and for what use cases?
   Not all AI is created equal. Clarify which platforms your team can use (e.g., ChatGPT, Canva’s Magic Write, Grammarly AI) and what they can be used for—internal brainstorming, content drafts, staff training, etc.

   …….