AI adoption in the social impact sector has surged—but results are still uneven.
In this episode of ENGAGE, Kate Averett Anderson, Research and Publications Lead at the Blackbaud Institute, breaks down new research on what it actually takes to turn AI experimentation into measurable impact. Drawing on a survey of nearly 1,400 professionals and more than 1,000 donors, she unpacks the growing divide between organizations that are seeing real returns from AI and those that aren’t.
You’ll hear why just 10% of organizations are pulling ahead with meaningful AI practices—and what they’re doing differently when it comes to governance, data, and transparency.
Kate also walks through four critical gaps shaping the sector right now, including:
- The disconnect between AI use and organizational outcomes
- The risks of underinvesting in infrastructure and tools
- Why data readiness is the make-or-break factor for AI success
- And the growing gap between what donors expect and what organizations communicate
Along the way, she shares practical, no-overhaul-required steps you can take to move forward—whether you’re just getting started or trying to scale what’s already working.
If you’ve been asking, “Are we actually getting value from AI?”—this episode gives you a clear place to start.
