Supporting AI Leadership for Nonprofit Strategic Growth
Highlights
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6presentations by Capellic and guest experts
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21participants, representing 14 nonprofits across 9 states and D.C.
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100percent of participants would recommend the summit to a colleague
At a Glance
In September 2025, we led our inaugural Not a Bot: AI Leadership Summit. Twenty-one senior leaders, representing nonprofits dedicated to K-12 education, higher education, environmental advocacy, law, disability rights, and more gathered to learn how to steer their organization's response to AI.
Through lectures by Capellic and guest experts, whole-group discussions, and small-group activities, participants had the time and support to:
- Understand how AI can affect content production, design, accessibility, digital infrastructure, and user experience
- Analyze the intersection of their organization's priorities, AI opportunities, and ethical considerations for AI tool adoption
- Develop an AI strategic plan to move from theory to action.
- Connect and network with nonprofit and association peers facing similar challenges
[It was] really well thought through and organized. It hit at the right level—not wonky or full of people who have it all figured out. It felt like a space where we were figuring it out together, which made it more inclusive.
Gillian Sheik, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Episcopal Relief & Development
The Inspiration
Our team is dedicated to finding and evaluating tech tools that will help ease operations, management, and resource allocation—and we find it challenging to keep up with the AI deluge. Many of our clients feel the same pressure, but lack the time or background to separate news from noise.
We designed Not a Bot to give nonprofit leaders a chance to catch their breath and take some time with their peers to understand where they are, their organization is, and how to move forward. And we wanted to counter the narrative of AI as the ideal "worker" by celebrating participants' creativity, experience, and expertise. We're proud of our human community.
The Experience
At the start of the day, participants introduced themselves and how they felt about AI adoption at work. Most participants talked experiencing a mix of emotions: excitement about new ways to engage their audiences and support their staff; worry about making considered and ethical choices; overwhelm at the options; and frustration at the distance between the opportunities and their organization's readiness to try new approaches. It's a lot to manage.
And therein lay the magic of the Not a Bot. Stepping outside the office, turning off devices—we invited participants to have a low-tech day—and being in person with colleagues facing similar challenges gave everyone the mental space and time to learn, plan, and connect.
I attended not quite sure what I would get from the day. What I came out with was an action plan. Along the way I got understandable information that reduced my sense of ignorance and overwhelm about AI; discussions with senior peers who were stewarding similar organizations and faced similar issues with great insights; and finally an approach that helped me identify the who, what, and how to proceed so that we could better engage with this new AI-infused economy. A well structured day led by knowledgeable and approachable folk, with an engaging format that kept us energized.
Moira Edwards, President, Ellipsis Partners
Outcomes
We're dedicated to learning from our partners, too. We asked participants to complete an anonymous post-summit survey. Respondents reported being particularly excited about having:
- The context and vocabulary to help their staff, executive leadership, and boards understand AI adoption opportunities, challenges, and ethical considerations to their
- Clear next steps to advance their organization's understanding of and approach to AI
- New connections of experienced, creative, and solution-oriented peers
What's next?
We'll open registration for our next Not a Bot: AI Leadership Summit soon. But if you're eager to get started, you can bring us to your team! Contact us to arrange a custom experience for your staff, leadership, or board.