Nonprofits Hesitate on AI Adoption, Risking Missed Opportunities

According to a report published in March 2025, three out of four companies are already using AI. However, a recent survey sponsored by the humanitarian platform Giving Compass has found that most nonprofit leaders do not feel ready to adopt AI tools for their crucial operations.

This gap is not just about technology—it's about the potential impact. If nonprofits fall behind in AI adoption, it will be the communities they serve that pay the price, with families waiting longer for assistance, students missing out on mentorship, and support networks being disrupted.

The nonprofit sector stands at a crossroads, much like when transformative technologies like electricity and the internet reshaped the world. Early adopters not only survived but redefined what was possible, while laggards struggled to catch up. AI is today's electricity, and nonprofits must decide whether to embrace it responsibly or risk being left behind.

The risks are real, the learning curve is steep, and the sector is already under strain. However, hesitation will not protect nonprofit leaders. Only intentional, human-first adoption of AI can ensure that the technology serves the sector's mission and values.

Responsible AI adoption could ease the burden of repetitive tasks, freeing up nonprofit workers to focus on strategy, relationships, and impact. It could also enable faster insights from data, easier fundraising, and lower overhead costs, ultimately improving services while reducing expenses. But this will require investment in change management, education, and trusted human partners to ensure AI is implemented with the right values and oversight.