AI Revolution for Nonprofits: Insights from Cheryl Contee's Groundbreaking Interview

How mission-driven organizations can embrace artificial intelligence ethically and effectively

In a revealing conversation on the ALC ChangeMakers Podcast, tech innovator and author Cheryl Contee delivered a wake-up call to the nonprofit sector: the AI revolution isn't coming—it's already here. Her new book, AI for Nonprofits, co-authored with Darien Rodriguez Haman, serves as both a reality check and a roadmap for organizations ready to harness artificial intelligence responsibly.

The Reality Check: You're Already Using AI (Whether You Know It or Not)

One of Cheryl's most compelling arguments challenges the common nonprofit stance of AI avoidance. "There's no not using AI," she states emphatically. Despite minimal resistance to AI adoption, with only 1% opposing the technology according to recent nonprofit sector research, many organizations remain unaware of their existing AI usage.

The truth is sobering: nonprofits have been using classifier AI for 10-15 years through platforms like Amazon, UPS, online banking, and donor management systems. Email platforms like MailChimp, fundraising tools like Blackbaud, and even Action Network already integrate machine learning capabilities behind the scenes.

The current state of nonprofit AI adoption reveals significant gaps:

• 92% of nonprofits report that they feel unprepared for AI and 60% express uncertainty and mistrust
• 76 percent of nonprofits don't yet have an AI strategy
• Larger nonprofits, with annual budgets exceeding $1 million, are adopting AI tools at nearly twice the rate of smaller organizations (66% vs. 34%)

Yet this resistance comes with a cost. As Cheryl notes, "AI's using you, so why not get into the driver's seat?"

The Environmental Paradox: Clean Energy and AI Convergence

For environmental and conservation nonprofits, AI adoption presents an ethical dilemma around energy consumption. Cheryl addresses these concerns head-on with compelling data about the clean energy transition:

Global Clean Energy Momentum:

• Record renewables growth led by solar helped push clean power past 40% of global electricity in 2024
• California is now two-thirds clean energy, representing the fourth-largest economy globally
• The Netherlands has achieved approximately 50% clean energy in their electricity mix
• Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, plans 100% clean energy for their electrical grid by 2030

The continued rapid adoption of clean energy technologies is limiting emissions growth, according to new analysis – avoiding 2.6 billion tonnes of additional CO2 emissions per year, according to the International Energy Agency's Global Energy Review 2025.

Cheryl emphasizes that clean energy adoption follows typical technology curves: "It gets faster, smarter, cheaper, more abundant, and more accessible over time." This trajectory makes environmental concerns about AI energy consumption increasingly manageable.

Change Agent AI: A Values-Aligned Alternative

Recognizing the need for ethically-minded AI solutions, Cheryl co-founded Change Agent AI (change.ai), an alternative to mainstream platforms like ChatGPT and Claude. This platform addresses key concerns of progressive organizations:

Key Features:

• Environmentally conscious energy usage
• Nonprofit-tailored language and thinking patterns
• Diverse image and video representation
• Private data protection
• Freedom from political speech restrictions common in major platforms

The platform emerged from a practical challenge: mainstream AI terms of service often prohibit political speech, creating potential restrictions for advocacy organizations. As Cheryl observes, "In these times what isn't political?"

The Luddite Warning: Historical Context for Modern Resistance

Cheryl draws historical parallels to explain current AI resistance, referencing the early 19th-century Luddites—textile workers who destroyed automated looms out of fear for their jobs. "To say like, I'm not gonna use AI, it is very Luddite," she explains, noting that such resistance appears naive in hindsight.

Current workforce data supports her argument:

• AI tools now reach 378 million people worldwide in 2025, representing the largest year-on-year jump ever recorded
• 75% of employed adults use AI, compared to 52% of unemployed adults
• AI adoption reached an all-time high, with a rate between 72% and 78% globally

A contributor to her book captured the competitive reality: "AI's not gonna take your job, but someone who knows how to use AI well is gonna take your job."

Types of AI: Understanding the Landscape

Cheryl breaks down AI into accessible categories to help nonprofit leaders navigate the landscape:

1. Classifier AI

Already integrated into most online platforms, this AI categorizes and routes information, powering recommendation engines and logistics systems.

2. Predictive Analytics

Analyzes historical patterns to forecast outcomes, useful for campaign planning, donor behavior prediction, and resource allocation.

3. Generative AI

Creates content including text, images, and video. Key tools include:

Content Creation:

• ChatGPT/Change Agent AI: Draft emails, social media posts, and reports
• Claude: Specialized copywriting and long-form content
• Opus AI: Video analysis that identifies optimal social media clips within minutes

Visual Content:

• Pop AI: Automatically generates presentation slides from text input
• Canva Magic Studio: AI-powered graphic design tools

The Human-in-the-Loop Principle

Central to Cheryl's philosophy is maintaining human oversight in AI implementation. She describes AI as "a really smart intern"—capable of handling tedious, repetitive tasks but lacking the experience, sophistication, context, and passion that humans provide.

Best Practices for Implementation:

• Always maintain "Human-in-the-Loop" (HITL) oversight
• Use AI for first drafts and initial processing
• Ensure human review for quality, accuracy, and mission alignment
• Focus on augmentation rather than replacement

AI is not here to replace human-driven efforts but to support and enhance them. By automating routine tasks, analyzing data for better decision-making, and improving communication strategies, AI helps nonprofits work smarter, not harder, according to recent industry analysis.

The Competitive Imperative: Amplifying Mission Impact

For nonprofits competing for attention and resources, AI offers significant advantages. Cheryl emphasizes the need for progressive organizations to be "more prolific, frankly, and louder" to counter harmful narratives with "nutritious content."

Current Impact Data:

• 30% of nonprofits say that AI has boosted fundraising revenue in the past 12 months
• The average one-time donation for donation forms utilizing AI without using personally identifiable information (PII) is $161 compared to the industry average of $115
• 67% agree that nonprofits should use AI to assist in their marketing, fundraising, and administrative tasks

Addressing Implementation Barriers

For smaller nonprofits, AI adoption remains a challenge. Many organizations with annual budgets under $500,000 are hesitant to implement AI due to financial constraints, lack of technical expertise, and uncertainty about where to start. In fact, nearly 30 percent cite financial limitations as a primary barrier.

However, many AI tools offer free or low-cost entry points:

• ChatGPT free tier for basic content generation
• Grammarly for enhanced writing (many nonprofits already use this)
• Canva's AI features for design work
• Change Agent AI for values-aligned organizations

Establishing Ethical AI Policies

By crafting AI policies, nonprofits can not only avoid such risks but they can leverage the technology in ethically and socially conscious ways that enhance their missions. Organizations like Fast Forward have developed tools to help nonprofits create comprehensive AI policies.

Key Policy Considerations:

• Data privacy and security protocols
• Bias detection and mitigation strategies
• Transparency in AI usage
• Human oversight requirements
• Environmental impact considerations

Getting Started: A Practical Roadmap

Phase 1: Assessment

• Audit current AI usage (likely more extensive than realized)
• Identify repetitive, time-consuming tasks suitable for automation
• Evaluate organizational readiness and staff comfort levels

Phase 2: Pilot Implementation

• Start with content generation for social media and email campaigns
• Experiment with AI-powered design tools
• Use AI for initial data analysis and report drafts

Phase 3: Strategic Integration

• Develop comprehensive AI policies aligned with organizational values
• Train staff on ethical AI usage principles
• Scale successful pilots across departments

Phase 4: Advanced Applications

• Implement predictive analytics for donor behavior and campaign optimization
• Explore AI-powered video content creation
• Consider custom AI solutions for specific organizational needs

Industry Momentum and Future Outlook

The AI revolution in nonprofits reflects broader technological adoption patterns. Industry analysts forecast the market will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.9% from 2025 to 2030, potentially reaching $1.81 trillion by the end of the decade.

For nonprofits specifically, the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources is projected to jump from 30% in 2023 to 35% in 2025, making environmental concerns increasingly manageable.

The Bottom Line: Embrace or Fall Behind

Cheryl's message is clear: the AI revolution isn't optional. Organizations that embrace AI thoughtfully and ethically will gain significant advantages in efficiency, reach, and impact. Those that resist risk becoming digital Luddites, unable to compete effectively for resources, attention, and support.

As she emphasizes, "What if you as a person could just get so much more done in a day?" For nonprofits stretched thin by limited resources and growing demands, AI offers a path to amplify impact without compromising values.

The choice isn't whether to engage with AI—it's whether to take control of how AI serves your mission. As Cheryl concludes, "This is a moment for nonprofit leaders and mission-driven leaders to actually take the reins."

Resources for Implementation

Books and Guides:

• AI for Nonprofits by Cheryl Contee and Darien Rodriguez Haman
• 2025 AI Benchmark Report from TechSoup and Tapp Network

AI Platforms:

• Change Agent AI - Values-aligned AI platform
• Fast Forward's Nonprofit AI Policy Builder - Free policy development tool

Professional Development:

• Connect with Cheryl Contee on LinkedIn
• AI Hub for Nonprofits at Nonprofit Tech for Good

Research and Statistics:

• Global Energy Review 2025 - International Energy Agency
• AI Adoption Statistics 2025 - Comprehensive industry data
• Renewable Energy Outlook 2025 - Deloitte Insights

Listen to the complete ALC ChangeMakers Podcast interview with Cheryl Contee for additional insights into ethical AI adoption for mission-driven organizations.