Social Impact Experts Share Best Practices for Building an Innovation Culture
Our current environment is being transformed by the rapid advancement of data, technology, and artificial intelligence. As nonprofits and educational institutions look to the future, harnessing innovative digital tools and data-driven strategies is now essential for ongoing success.
Blackbaud’s essay collection eBook, The Forward-Thinking Nonprofit: Leading Through Change, brings together insights from 19 sector experts across Canada, Europe, and the Asia Pacific. Many of these essays provide commentary, case studies, and practical guidance focused on helping organisations leverage technology, embrace data-informed decision-making, and adopt AI with confidence.
In this blog post, we offer a glimpse into the data and AI-focused second part of the eBook, sharing perspectives on how digital innovation and AI are reshaping the sector.
Sector in Transition
The Blackbaud Institute’s Status of Fundraising 2025 research—conducted in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand—highlighted how nonprofits’ AI adoption has increased significantly from 2024. Today, over 80% of participants in the US, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand use AI, as well as 77% in the UK.
While attitudes are generally positive, many expressed uncertainties around their knowledge on how to use AI in their nonprofit or educational institution to see clear and measurable benefits. Open-ended answers revealed a hope for sector-wide discussions on AI applications and limitations, and resources for more effective AI adoption.
With these uncertainties in mind, many of the expert essays in our eBook offer insights into data-driven strategies and successful tech adoption, and guidance for AI use in the sector.
A Bluffer’s Guide to Digital Transformation
By Mark Dendy, Senior Consultant, Adapta Consulting
In his essay, Mark Denby walks you through digital transformation and simplifies the process by going back to the basics, removing jargon, and avoiding confusing buzzwords. He discusses the importance of clear and accurate data, and internal systems that meet your unique needs.
“Having a plan means you stop buying tech to fix one-off problems and start choosing tools that help you reach long-term goals. It’s about outcomes, not quick fixes. And it means your data works together, not in silos.”
How Are Foundations Navigating a Changing Digital Landscape?
By Jim Cooke, Head of Practice, Association of Charitable Foundations (ACF)
Jim Cooke highlights the importance of trusts and foundations understanding the external context they are currently working in—with the rapid societal changes having profound effects on the communities and causes they support.
“From strategy to grant-making and internal operations, the changing digital landscape is already having an impact on foundations’ work. So how are they navigating this—and preparing for a future where tech is likely to play an even more powerful role?”
Data, Disruption, and the Death of Busywork
By Adrian Sellaro, Director and Julia Villiotis, Director, Visualise Fundraising
Adrian Sellaro and Julia Villiotis describe how the future belongs to insight, strategy, and the human who can lead with both. Technology has changed the previously deeply manual nonprofit work, but as Adrian and Julia describe, many teams are still held back by the weight of normal work.
“The problem is no longer data scarcity—it’s data saturation. We have more metrics, dashboards, platforms, and notifications than ever before. But with all that information, the real question becomes: What deserves our attention?”
From Numbers to Narrative: How Nonprofits Can Build Digital Resilience
By Wilfreda Edward, Executive Director, Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience (CCNDR)
In her essay, Wilfreda Edward talks about nonprofits’ data resilience and use of data to adapt and thrive through change. She highlights how data alone is not enough to drive change, but it can be powerful when woven into compelling narratives—sparking trust, attracting investment, and strengthening your ability to adapt with confidence.
“When we treat data as the raw material of a story, and when we invest in the capacity to tell those stories well, we strengthen our ability to navigate change. For nonprofits, that means owning our stories. For funders and donors, it means accepting that capacity is not a cost to cut, but the very thing that makes impact tangible and sustainable. And for all of us, it means building resilience as a collective project, not an individual one.”
Advancement’s AI Reckoning: Why We Must Lead Before We Are Ready
By Sue Cunningham, President and CEO, Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Sue Cunningham shares her advancement expertise and writes about the evolving role of AI in education. In her essay, she discusses the concerns many have about AI adoption, and the role leaders have in encouraging AI use.
“Educational advancement cannot thrive in the future without engaging the technological tools we have available today, as we have done with each new wave of innovation. And while these tools are vital, they serve a greater purpose: protecting and strengthening the human relationships that remain at the heart of engagement.”
Embracing Generative AI in Advancement: Balancing Innovation with Human Connection
By Ali Mikaeili, Prospect Research and Pipeline Specialist, Bow Valley College
Ali Mikaeili continues the discussion around AI in advancement by sharing his thoughts and experiences on balancing innovation with human connection. He talks about the necessity of setting boundaries for AI use to ensure it’s a powerful ally rather than taking the lead and overshadowing the necessary human element that is at the heart of advancement.
“If we build thoughtful and ethical policies that are rooted in our values, we can make AI work for us without losing the human connection that defines our profession. AI isn’t here to take away our place. It’s here to give us more time and space to do what we do best: connect, inspire, and lead change through relationships that matter.”
AI-Ready Nonprofits Need AI-Ready Leadership
By Meena Das, Founder and CEO, Namaste Data
Meena Das shifts the focus from frontline professional to nonprofit leadership. First, she gives a thorough description of AI use in the nonprofit context and provides examples from her own work.
“As a leader, your “AI-readiness” can start with a shared dream of what you see beyond AI’s immediate benefits/challenges and imagine its long-term potential for your mission. Your blue sky dreaming here isn’t just reactive to technological changes but a proactive step in setting a strategic direction that integrates AI in ways that advance the mission.”
AI Agents and the Next Generation of Charities
By Chris Paver, Co-founder and COO, Dataro
In his essay, AI expert Chris Paver talks about AI agents; systems that work autonomously across multiple steps toward a goal, making decisions along the way. Chris believes that agentic AI is the natural next step for nonprofits wishing to go step beyond generative and predictive AI tools.
“Fundraisers are already familiar with generative and predictive AI. Most are used to feeding in a prompt and receiving output like a draft appeal or analysis. All of which is useful but still limited. For the next generation of charities, AI is likely to become far more embedded via agents.”
The Future of AI For Charities and What’s Needed to Succeed
By Zoe Amar, Founder and Director, Zoe Amar Digital
Zoe Amar looks into the future of AI for charities and explores what is needed to unlock a future where AI enables not only efficiency but more innovation that helps the people you support.
“If we do not act now, large, or digitally mature charities will lead the distribution of AI adoption. Everyone should have the opportunity to use these tools, otherwise sector adoption will be skewed towards those with the most money, power, and influence. That’s not equitable, and it goes against our values as a sector.”
Building Innovation Culture
While each expert brings their unique insights and perspectives, we could identify some commonly occurring advice for nonprofits and educational institutions to adopt smarter data practices and experiment with AI.
- Start Small and Experiment: Begin by launching low-risk pilot projects or trials with AI tools in manageable areas. For example, try automating routine tasks, generating reports, or supporting fundraising campaigns in content creation. Document what works, what doesn’t, and share learnings internally to build confidence and momentum for broader adoption.
- Align AI Initiatives with Strategic Goals: Ensure that AI adoption is not a siloed effort but is woven into your nonprofit’s overall strategy. Engage leadership, staff, and stakeholders to assess where AI can best support your mission.
- Invest in Skills and Training: Address skill gaps by providing training and resources for both staff and leadership and seek partnerships with tech experts who can guide you on your AI adoption journey. Equip your team to understand, experiment with, and manage AI tools responsibly to foster a culture where innovation and digital literacy are encouraged at all levels.
- Establish Clear Policies and Ethical Guidelines: Develop and communicate policies around data privacy, ethical use, and human oversight for AI-generated outputs. Make sure to set boundaries for where AI should support (not replace) human judgment. This is especially important in sensitive areas like donor relationships or storytelling.
- Foster Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing: Break down silos by encouraging cross-team and cross-sector collaboration. Each member of your team should feel comfortable sharing their insights and learnings. Make sure to also share these insights with peers from outside your nonprofit. This collective approach helps ensure equitable access to AI tools and prevents innovation from being limited to only the largest or most digitally mature nonprofits.
To access the in-depth guidance from sector experts, download the free Forward-Thinking Nonprofit: Leading Through Change eBook, tailored to your region:
