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What's Good in Tech: The Nonprofit Time Machine

September 26, 2024
What's Good in Tech: The Nonprofit Time Machine

[Originally delivered to inboxes on September 26, 2024. Subscribe here to read it first.]

A Nonprofit’s Guide to AI

Fact: Nonprofits are stepping up as leaders in AI adoption. Twilio.org found that 58% of nonprofits use AI in their digital communications, surpassing the 47% of B2C businesses. Also fact: Many nonprofits feel underprepared for this technological leap. Lack of knowledge and concerns about ethics prevent them from harnessing the full time-saving power of AI.

Let’s fix that. Here are some resources to boost your AI confidence:

  • Our Simple, Responsible Ways to Start Using AI in Your Nonprofit blog post draws from our firsthand experience as a nonprofit experimenting with AI. Plus, we tapped Jared Chung, founder of CareerVillage.org and Fast Forward alum, for ethical AI insights.
  • Google.org’s Get Time Back hub offers AI resources designed specifically to help nonprofits streamline their operations, maximize efficiency, and reclaim valuable time.

Check out our latest edition of AI for Humanity for an even deeper dive on tools and responsible implementation.

Coming Soon to a Stage Near You: AI and Social Impact

Taking the TED stage is a huge bucket list item for us. We’re beyond thrilled that Kevin Barenblat is hosting a panel on AI and Social Impact at this year’s TEDAI in San Francisco! #lifegoals

Joining Kevin on stage will be none other than Gemma Turon of Ersilia, Vishal Sunil of Rocket Learning, and Rikin Gandhi of Digital Green to talk about how nonprofits are using AI to tackle hyperlocal issues. They’re setting AI’s potential into action — starting with the small steps that lead to big impact.

Tech Solutions for Better Health Outcomes

What if tech could help close the equity gap in life expectancy? How can digital tools help more people access vital health resources? Fast Forward and the Deloitte Health Equity Institute have partnered to support a portfolio of tech nonprofits exploring these possibilities. Like Koko, which uses AI to guide at-risk teens to mental health resources on platforms they use daily. Or SIRUM, a nonprofit that connects low-income Americans with surplus prescription medicine at accessible costs. Visit our blog to see how the entire portfolio is tackling pressing health disparities.

What’s Good in Tech: Issue 76

  • Upsolve received $4.2M from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to roll out Upsolve Assist, an AI-powered financial counselor.
  • The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco hosted a GenAI panel where Fast Forward's Kevin Barenblat discussed economic opportunities for low-income communities.
  • Fast Forward’s Shannon Farley shows nonprofits how to balance innovation with the irreplaceable human touch in Forbes.
  • Develop for Good’s Mary Zhu joined the Creating Good podcast (formerly Nonprofit Connect) to discuss tech solutions for common nonprofit challenges.
  • The Investigative Journalism Foundation won an award for its public-interest database, Open By Default.
  • Jehron W. Petty of ColorStack shared with AFROTECH why he turned down corporate America to found a nonprofit.

Jobs in the Tech Nonprofit Ecosystem