Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: How Can You Maximize AI for Good?

Released on August 4, 2025 | Host: Dr. Rob Harder | Guest: Adam Bodensen

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, host Dr. Rob Harder engages in a deep conversation with Adam Bodensen, CEO of the Association for Project Management and Managing Director at Grant Genie. The discussion centers around the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the nonprofit sector, exploring how leaders can harness AI for positive social impact while navigating challenges and misconceptions.

Guest Background and Expertise

Adam Bodensen brings a wealth of experience from both the nonprofit and educational sectors. Starting his career as a high school math teacher, Adam has dedicated his professional life to education-related and social impact initiatives. His notable roles include:

• Chief Executive Officer of the National Association for Special Educational Needs (UK) for six years.
• CEO of the Association for Project Management.
• Managing Director of Grant Genie, a grant-finding charity leveraging AI.

Adam's unique perspective combines hands-on leadership with a deep understanding of how technology, particularly AI, can drive social good.

AI in Nonprofits: Current Usage and Perceptions

Adam delineates a "Marmite-type approach" towards AI adoption within organizations, highlighting two distinct groups:

1. AI Evangelists: Organizations that enthusiastically embrace AI, integrating it into strategic objectives such as stakeholder engagement through targeted content generation and strategic planning via AI-driven prompts.

2. AI Skeptics: Entities that fear AI's implications, believing it may lead to job losses or ethical dilemmas, thus avoiding its adoption altogether.

Notable Quote:

"There's those that are really into it and those that aren't doing it at all." – Adam Bodensen [04:18]

Adam observes that this polarization is particularly pronounced in the charity sector, where the stakes of adopting or rejecting AI can significantly impact operational effectiveness.

Common Misconceptions About AI in the Nonprofit Sector

Adam addresses two prevalent misconceptions:

1. AI Bias: While acknowledging inherent biases in AI systems due to human input, Adam argues that AI can be less biased than humans. He emphasizes the importance of "anti-hallucinogenic workflows" where human oversight ensures AI-generated content is accurate and unbiased.

   Notable Quote:

   "I think the bias is a reason to be careful for sure, but it's probably not a reason to say no." – Adam Bodensen [06:21]

2. AI Job Displacement: Contrary to fears that AI will replace entire roles, Adam likens AI’s impact to the advent of spreadsheets, which transformed but did not eliminate finance professionals. He anticipates that AI will redesign tasks rather than eliminate jobs, potentially creating new roles that are currently unimaginable.

   Notable Quote:

   "It's replacing tasks. Do you remember when the spreadsheet came in... I see a net gain, is my hunch." – Adam Bodensen [07:12]

Digital Transformation and Its Positive Impacts

Adam discusses how AI accelerates necessary digital transformations within nonprofits, emphasizing:

• Data-Driven Decision Making: AI facilitates more informed strategies by analyzing vast amounts of data.
• Adaptive and Agile Leadership: The rapid pace of AI-driven change necessitates leaders who can swiftly adapt and lead organizations through continuous evolution.
• Digital Fluency: Beyond AI literacy, organizations must cultivate data literacy to fully leverage AI's potential.

He underscores that as mundane processes become automated, organizations will increasingly depend on human qualities like emotional intelligence, thereby highlighting the irreplaceable value of good people.

Notable Quote:

"It means we're going to be even more reliant on good people." – Adam Bodensen [08:42]

Recommendations for Embracing AI in Project Delivery

Adam advocates for an agile, iterative approach to AI adoption:

• Test and Learn: Implement small-scale AI projects to assess effectiveness before scaling.
• Flexible Strategies: Avoid rigid long-term plans; instead, adapt strategies based on ongoing learnings and changing circumstances.
• Cultural Shift: Foster a culture that embraces continuous learning and adaptability to build digital maturity over time.

Notable Quote:

"It's more about changing the culture, the knowledge and skills and building that up in an iterative way over time." – Adam Bodensen [10:53]

Navigating Organizational Resistance to Change

When encountering resistance from stakeholders like boards or staff, Adam suggests:

• Firsthand Experience: Encourage stakeholders to engage directly with AI tools through workshops or hackathons to demystify AI and showcase its practical benefits.
• Educational Approach: Instead of trying to convince skeptics, provide educational opportunities that allow individuals to experience AI's potential and draw their own conclusions.

Notable Quote:

"Sometimes it's about pace of doing stuff. The way to convince people is not to set out to try and convince them, but to try and educate them." – Adam Bodensen [12:37]

Emerging Technologies and Trends Beyond AI

While AI remains a focal point, Adam highlights other technological trends shaping the nonprofit landscape:

• Data Architecture Improvements: Nonprofits are increasingly investing in data lakes and machine-readable data formats to enhance accessibility and analytics capabilities.
• Environmental Sustainability of AI: Organizations must weigh AI's societal benefits against its environmental costs, such as energy consumption and carbon footprint.

Notable Quote:

"There's all of these horror stories out there... you're trying to weigh up the contribution that using AI can make versus the cost, the environmental cost of AI." – Adam Bodensen [17:21]

Challenges Facing Nonprofit Leaders

Adam identifies two primary challenges intensified by digital transformation:

1. Staff Burnout: The rapid pace of change demands more from staff, leading to increased stress and burnout. Leaders must balance the need for digital adoption with employee well-being.

   Notable Quote:

   "Leaders are really having to cope with a workforce that's saying, we can't cope with doing anymore." – Adam Bodensen [20:53]

2. Leadership Paradoxes: Leaders often juggle conflicting priorities, such as:

   • Fast vs. Right: Balancing the need for quick action with ensuring quality.
   • Stakeholder Alignment vs. Diversity: Achieving consensus while fostering diverse perspectives.
   • Short-Term Wins vs. Long-Term Goals: Managing immediate successes without compromising future objectives.

Notable Quote:

"Leaders are facing these kinds of paradoxes every single day." – Adam Bodensen [20:53]

Advice for Navigating Leadership Paradoxes

Adam offers strategic guidance for leaders dealing with conflicting demands:

• Foster Collaboration: Encourage inter-organizational cooperation to pool intelligence and resources, addressing complex paradoxes collectively.
• Meaningful Conversations: Promote open dialogues about workload and priorities to ensure mutual understanding and support within teams.
• Adaptability: Be prepared to pivot strategies when necessary, embracing flexibility to navigate evolving challenges.

Notable Quote:

"There is far more that unites the nonprofit sector than divides them. These paradoxes actually force organizations to work together a bit more." – Adam Bodensen [23:33]

Balancing Remote and In-Person Work

Adam shares his organization’s hybrid approach to remote work:

• Minimum In-Person Requirement: Employees are asked to be in the office four days per month, allowing flexibility while ensuring regular face-to-face interactions.
• Consistency in Presence: Mandating that all staff attend in-person together helps maintain collective momentum and relational bonds.
• Flexibility: Accommodate individual circumstances, such as travel distances or environmental factors, to maximize comfort and effectiveness.

Notable Quote:

"We want you in four days a month... to build the relationships and give you the opportunity to have these kind of conversations." – Adam Bodensen [26:37]

Advice for Emerging Leaders in the Social Impact Sector

Adam emphasizes the importance of relationship-building and strategic focus for next-generation leaders:

• Invest in Relationships: Strong interpersonal connections are crucial in an increasingly digital world for effective collaboration and decision-making.
• Pick Battles Wisely: Focus on initiatives that are impactful yet achievable, avoiding overextension of limited resources.
• Embrace Continuous Learning: Leaders should prioritize listening and learning from their teams, fostering a collaborative environment where collective intelligence drives success.

Notable Quote:

"Don't feel like you need to have all the answers. What I can do is ask good questions and listen." – Adam Bodensen [29:08]

Conclusion

Adam Bodensen’s insights offer a roadmap for nonprofit leaders aiming to integrate AI and navigate the complexities of digital transformation. By addressing misconceptions, fostering adaptability, and prioritizing human relationships, organizations can leverage technology to enhance their social impact while maintaining a resilient and engaged workforce.

For those interested in connecting with Adam or exploring the organizations he leads, visit:

• Grant Genie: www.grantgenie.ai
• Association for Project Management (UK): www.apm.org.uk

Further Resources:

• Nonprofit Leadership Podcast: Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon, Google Podcasts, and more.
• Join the Community: Engage with other nonprofit leaders and access additional resources at nonprofitleadershippodcast.org.

“Keep making your world better.” – Dr. Rob Harder