Getting Started on a Responsible AI Use Policy for Nonprofits

Overview

As AI tools become embedded in nonprofit workflows like drafting donor appeals and summarizing meeting notes, organizations face real risks: data privacy missteps, bias, hallucinations, and eroded community trust. A responsible AI use policy gives staff a clear, values-grounded framework for using AI safely and consistently, without the fear-based restrictions that push usage underground. This article outlines four essentials every policy needs: purpose and scope, organizational values, data-handling norms, and a firm list of when not to use AI, along with eight practical dos and don’ts to guide the drafting process. The goal isn’t a polished legal document; it’s a living agreement that fosters a culture of clarity, consent, and shared responsibility, so nonprofits can embrace AI’s potential while keeping humans at the center of what matters most.