Podcast Summary: Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell

Episode: AI for Nonprofits: Tips, Tools, and Tactics with Darian Rodriguez Heyman & Cheryl Contee
Date: January 14, 2026
Guests: Darian Rodriguez Heyman (Founder, ai4np.org) & Cheryl Contee (Chief Innovation Officer, Brightworks AI)
Host: Julia Campbell

Overview

In this episode, Julia Campbell explores the increasingly essential role of artificial intelligence (AI) in nonprofits. She welcomes Darian Rodriguez Heyman and Cheryl Contee, co-authors of AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause, a practical, resource-rich guide informed by interviews with 57 nonprofit leaders. The conversation is candid, actionable, and grounded, focusing on how nonprofits can leverage AI for fundraising, operations, program delivery, communications, and content creation—while addressing challenges such as ethics, data security, environmental impact, and workplace transformation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why AI for Nonprofits is Urgently Needed

• AI is Here—Not the Future:
  Cheryl emphasizes that AI isn’t a distant innovation; it’s been ever-present (e.g., spam filters, logistics). What’s new is generative and “agentic” AI, tools that create and even autonomously plan and act (e.g., scheduling assistants).
  • "AI is not in the future. It's now... And in fact, AI has been with us for the last 10 to 15 years." (Cheryl, 04:29)
• Unique Opportunity for Nonprofits:
  Darian notes that nonprofits rarely discuss or intentionally explore AI at an organizational level, leaving less than 10% with any formal policy or governance—despite 80%+ having staff already experimenting with AI.
  • "...over 80% of nonprofits are using AI to some extent... But... under 10%... have... a simple policy and think about AI at an organizational and a strategic level." (Darian, 07:19)
• Nonprofits Can Lead in Ethical AI:
  Cheryl argues nonprofits have a chance to model the ethical, equitable, and human-centered adoption of AI.
  • "It's so vital that nonprofits take the reins in this moment because they can lead... in ethical, responsible, and powerful ways that help people." (Cheryl, 05:13)

2. AI Use Cases in the Nonprofit Sector

• Content Creation & Fundraising:
  Most nonprofits’ first use of AI is for content tasks (emails, bios, summaries), but Darian describes a holistic fundraising pipeline: identifying new prospects, tailoring communications, prepping for meetings, and managing follow-ups—all augmented by AI.
  • "...the use case that most people come to AI through is around content creation... every single part of the fundraising pipeline... can be supported and enhanced..." (Darian, 10:43)
• Grant Writing & Research:
  Cheryl highlights how AI matches nonprofit language with funder goals, rewrites proposals for resonance, and streamlines research into alignment, grant amounts, and giving histories.
  • "...you can do research and write grant reports in a whole new way... compare the language we're using to the language that the X Foundation is using..." (Cheryl, 13:13)
• Social Media & Community Engagement:
  Julia and Darian discuss using AI to break down long-form content into engaging, platform-appropriate snippets and to analyze historic engagement for future strategy.
• Content Repurposing:
  Tools can take an annual report and create infographics, mini podcasts, or video clips—saving time and expanding reach.
• Automation of Tedious Tasks:
  AI excels at reducing repetitive administrative work, freeing up staff to focus on “human” functions—relationship building, empathy, innovation.

3. Challenges & Common Pushback

• Environmental Concerns:
  Cheryl addresses fears about AI’s carbon footprint and advocates for measured context (comparing it to everyday actions) while highlighting the rapid, global shift to clean energy that will mitigate these impacts.
  • "...that cheeseburger that you had last Tuesday is probably way more intense on the environment than the last 10 prompts you put into a ... chatgpt..." (Cheryl, 16:10)
• Job Security & Human Element:
  The fear that AI will replace nonprofit jobs is widespread, but Cheryl reassures leaders that automating boring tasks lets people focus on their true mission.
  • "The things that are best automated... are the most tedious, the most repetitive, the boring things..." (Cheryl, 08:39)
• Data Privacy and Security:
  Darian stresses that if you’re not paying for the AI product, “you are the product.” Nonprofits must be careful with sensitive information and consider custom models or controlled data environments.
  • "If you're not paying for the product, you are the product... these companies are hoovering up as much data as they can..." (Darian, 19:04)
  • "Having your own custom large language model... is sort of the right way to address that need for a sandbox and keeping that data secure." (Darian, 21:42)
• Organizational Policy Gaps:
  Most nonprofits lack AI usage policies or are afraid to talk openly about staff experimenting with AI.

4. Building a Healthy AI Culture: Policies and Practices

• Start Simple:
  • Formulate basic policies around:
    1. Approved tools and acceptable use
    2. Handling of sensitive data (PII)
    3. “Wish list” of tasks that could be automated
  • "Just having a policy… 1, 2, 3 pieces of paper, that immediately puts you at the head of the class..." (Darian, 24:22)
• Transparent Conversation:
  Cheryl recommends open staff forums or “fireside chats” to dissipate fear, gather input, and identify hidden usage.
  • "At least start the conversation... maybe even do a survey and let people know you're not going to get in trouble..." (Cheryl, 23:12)
• Regular Peer Learning:
  Darian advocates for monthly AI roundtables to share experiments, wins, and failures, building a culture of innovation.

5. Practical Steps and Tools for Immediate Action

• Crawl-Walk-Run Approach:
  1. Encourage personal experimentation at home
  2. Share experiences in staff meetings (“first Monday of every week”)
  3. Identify and automate the most repetitive, low-stakes tasks
  • "...people get overwhelmed and daunted... You can dip your toes in the water... personal use cases so they get comfortable..." (Darian, 27:18)
• Play, Experiment, Demystify:
  Cheryl urges fundraisers and staff to have fun—use AI app generators (Anything.com), songwriters (Suno), or even no-code game builders (Replit).
  • "Just mess around, you know, just have fun with it, before you decide, okay, let's sit down and... figure out an implementation strategy." (Cheryl, 30:49)
• Favorite Tools Mentioned:
  • Scheduling/Assistant: Skedge.com
  • Content Repurposing: Suno (music), Anything.com (app generation), Replit (games), Descript, InVideo, Opus AI (video clips), Gamma, Nano Banana (infographics), NotebookLM (AI summaries/podcast)
  • AI for Nonprofits Resource Hub: ai4np.org
  • AI Model with Strong Ethics/Security: Change Agent AI (for those wary of mainstream LLMs)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the inevitability of AI in daily life:
  "If you have an iPhone, you have Siri in your iPhone, and that is AI... AI is everywhere and it's going to be in everything."
  – Julia Campbell & Cheryl Contee (18:22)
• On AI and Donor Trust:
  "They're worried about balancing automation with authenticity. They're worried about donor trust. ...Trust in institutions, trust everywhere is just decimated."
  – Julia Campbell (10:09)
• On Data Security:
  "The bottom line is data is the currency in today's AI economy.... Unlike when I studied computer engineering... you had to map out every... illusion of intelligence. Nowadays... dumping a ton of data into these large language models and letting it identify the patterns..."
  – Darian Rodriguez Heyman (19:04)
• On starting the AI journey:
  "Just bring it out of the shadows and create some kind of regular forum... So everybody share... have you used AI this last week or last month? And what was it like?"
  – Darian Rodriguez Heyman (27:18)
• On resistance and experimentation:
  "Don't be that person. The water is warm. It actually can be really fun, you know, like write a song... Go to Suno... and just write a song and just be silly."
  – Cheryl Contee (30:39)
• On the need for policies:
  "Formulate the three essentials: What tools are approved? How is PII handled? And what's your wish list for automation? Two to three pages is all you need to move ahead of the curve."
  – Darian Rodriguez Heyman (24:22)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Introduction and Guests Overview
  [01:04] – [03:14]
• Why AI Now? The Urgency for Nonprofits
  [04:03] – [06:26]
• Surprises from the Field: How Nonprofits Actually Use AI
  [07:01] – [08:39]
• Use Cases: Fundraising, Grant Writing, and Social Media
  [10:43] – [14:12]
• Addressing Pushback: Environment, Job Security, Data Privacy
  [15:50] – [22:01]
• Building Policy & Fostering a Safe AI Culture
  [22:01] – [26:16]
• Action Steps and “Crawl, Walk, Run” Framework
  [27:18] – [29:51]
• Try It: Fun Experiments & Favorite Tools
  [30:00] – [32:09]
• Resource Roundup: Where to Learn More
  [34:41] – [37:17]
• Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
  [37:22] – [38:14]

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Book: AI for Nonprofits: Putting Artificial Intelligence to Work for Your Cause (Available on Amazon & Bookshop; Audible audiobook coming 2026)
• Website: AI4NP.org – nonprofit AI education, resources, and learning labs
• Alternative LLM: Change Agent AI – for privacy-focused, ethical AI needs

Episode Summary

AI is already woven into the nonprofit sector’s daily operations—even if leaders haven’t formally recognized it. Julia Campbell, Darian Rodriguez Heyman, and Cheryl Contee debunk myths, share practical frameworks, and highlight tools that accelerate fundraising, content creation, and internal efficiency, while advocating constant attention to ethics and policy. Above all, they encourage listeners not to fear, but to experiment, learn with peers, and craft organizational guardrails that enable responsible, innovative, and human-centered AI adoption.