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AI at Work: Practical AI Use Cases for Nonprofits

Dan Stern,Communication and Outreach Manager Stephanie Nichols, Senior Housing Specialist

Presenters

Includes learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.

AI is a branch of computer science that allows computers to make decisions and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence.

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

  • Efficiency: Automate routine tasks, freeing up time for strategic work.
  • Engagement: Enhance interaction with donors and stakeholders through personalized communication.
  • Insight: Gain deeper insights from data to better serve community needs.

Why AI in Nonprofits?

  • Text Creation & Editing: Tools like ChatGPT (OpenAI) for writing and improving emails, reports, or grant applications.
  • Content Design: Canva’s AI tools for creating flyers, social media posts, and presentations with ease.
  • Document Assistance: Microsoft Copilot for drafting documents, summarizing notes, and automating tasks in Word, Excel, and Outlook.
  • AI for Communication: Google’s Gemini AI to help manage emails and improve communication across Google Workspace.
  • Audio, Video, & Photo AI: Murf for voiceovers, DALL·E for image generation, Canva Video for video creation.

Practical AI Tools for Nonprofits

  • Quick Responses: Set up simple tools to reply automatically to common tenant questions.
  • Email Templates: Use AI to help draft routine updates or tenant announcements.
  • Content Suggestions: Generate ideas for newsletters, social media, or community updates.
  • Create Surveys: Easily build tenant feedback or satisfaction surveys with AI tools.

Getting Started with AI for Your Nonprofit

Refine Your Request: If the response isn’t right, adjust your prompt.

Ask for Drafts: Start with a draft and refine it for the final version.

Use Examples: Provide context or examples to guide the AI’s response.

Be Clear and Specific: Give AI clear instructions on the task or topic.

How to Create AI Prompts

  • Scenario: You need to write a reminder email to tenants about an upcoming inspection.
  • Prompt: "Write a professional but friendly email reminding tenants about an inspection on [Date]. Include the time and what they need to prepare."
  • AI Response: "Dear tenants, we wanted to remind you that we’ll be conducting a routine inspection on [Date] at [Time]. Please ensure that your space is tidy and accessible..."

Example: Crafting a Prompt for AI

  • Role: Act as a Communications Assistant
  • Instructions: Refine a general prompt to be more specific, adjust tone, or add details.
  • Steps:
    • Start with a basic request.
    • Review the response and identify improvements.
    • Add context or details to clarify.
    • Adjust tone if needed (e.g., casual or formal).
    • Ask for a rephrase if the response isn’t quite right.

Refining Your AI Prompts

Introduction:

  • Purpose: Demonstrate how AI tools can assist in creating effective outreach materials for a senior housing development.
  • Focus: Highlighting how to tailor messaging and design to meet the needs of senior tenants.
What You’ll See in the Demo:
  • Using AI to generate clear and concise messaging for senior tenants.
  • How AI can help design visually accessible and appealing outreach materials.
  • Leveraging AI to streamline the outreach process through automated emails and customized flyers.

Crafting Tenant Outreach Materials for a New Senior Housing Development

Crafting a Prompt

Designing a Marketing Email

Create a Flyer

Draft a Press Release

Transparency Issues: Be cautious when using AI-generated content without disclosure, especially in public communications.

Over-reliance on AI: AI should assist, not replace, human oversight and critical thinking.

Data Privacy Risks: Ensure compliance with data protection laws when using AI to process sensitive information.

Bias & Fairness: AI may inherit biases from data or source material, leading to unintended consequences.

Not Always Accurate: AI can make mistakes or generate incorrect information.

Navigating AI Responsibly: Key Considerations

  • Purpose: Ensure responsible, ethical AI use.
  • Guidelines for Use: Define acceptable tasks (e.g., automating routine processes, assisting with communications).
  • Data Privacy & Security: Prioritize protecting sensitive data (e.g., tenant or donor information).
  • Human Oversight: AI supports decisions but should not fully replace human judgment.
  • Transparency: Ensure AI-generated content is identified as such when necessary.

Creating an Acceptable Use Policy for AI

Building and Effective Prompt Exercise

Exercise 5

Exercise 3

Exercise 4

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Designing Effective Fundraising Appeals to Support a Rural Infrastructure Project for a Water Treatment PlantThe nonprofit is seeking funding for a rural infrastructure project focused on building a water treatment plant and needs to craft a compelling fundraising appeal to potential donors and grantors.

Scenario 1

Writing an Anti-NIMBYism Brief for Zoning Reform to Support Affordable HousingThe nonprofit needs to create a policy brief countering NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) opposition to zoning reforms that support affordable housing in rural communities.

Scenario 2

Streamlining Board Communication with Monthly Updates on Housing Development ProgressThe nonprofit's board needs regular updates on the progress of ongoing housing development projects, but the current communication system is inconsistent and inefficient.

Scenario 3

Creating Staff Training Materials on Federal Housing Compliance Requirements for Determining Income on a Project Funded Under the HOME ProgramThe nonprofit needs to train staff on how to accurately determine household income eligibility for projects funded under the federal HOME program, ensuring compliance with strict regulations.

Scenario 4

Building a Marketing Campaign for a Neighborhood Clean-up InitiativeThe nonprofit is organizing a neighborhood clean-up initiative and needs to create a marketing campaign to engage the local community and attract volunteers.

Scenario 5

As a group, take no more than 5 minutes discuss and agree on a set of facts about your scenario for inclusion in your prompt.

Building and Effective Prompt Exercise

05:00

Role: Define the specific persona or professional capacity to adopt when responding.

02:00

Crafting Your Prompt - Step 1

Instructions: Guidelines detailing the desired tone, target audience, content focus, formatting preferences, and the outcomes sought in the response.

05:00

Crafting Your Prompt - Step 2

Steps: Sequential actions to follow when constructing the response, ensuring thorough coverage of all necessary points.

03:00

Crafting Your Prompt - Step 3

03:00

Crafting Your Prompt - Steps 4-6

End Goal: The final objective the response should achieve in terms of impact or understanding.Narrowing: Specify the focal points to concentrate on within the broader topic to ensure relevance and precision.Tone: The overall mood or attitude the response should convey, tailored to engage the intended audience effectively.

Let's see ChatGPT in Action!

Crafting Your Prompt

  • Start Small: Begin with simple tasks, like drafting emails or social media posts, to get comfortable with AI.
  • AI Saves Time: Automate repetitive tasks like data entry, surveys, and basic reports.
  • Human Oversight is Critical: Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and tone.
  • Ethics Matter: Be mindful of bias and data privacy when using AI.
  • AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement: Use AI to assist and enhance your work. Rely on human judgment for final decisions.

Key Takeaways