Courage, Curiosity, and Care: How Boards Can Embrace AI Responsibly

At a recent presentation, I asked 180 nonprofit CEO's and board members how many of them were actively using AI in their organizations. Most looked at me like I had asked them to build a rocket. A few chuckled nervously. One person said, “Is that ChatGPT?”—so we’ve got a ways to go.

The truth is, many nonprofit boards are unsure about what AI actually is, how it can help them, and—most importantly—what their role is in governing it. That’s totally understandable. Technology is moving fast, and for those of us who didn’t grow up with an iPhone in our crib, it can feel intimidating. But here’s what I want you to know: You don’t have to be a tech expert to lead your organization responsibly into the future. You just have to be open, curious, and clear on your board’s role.

What Is AI—and Why Should Boards Care?

AI (artificial intelligence) is not some futuristic robot takeover. It’s technology that helps us make better decisions, faster. It can analyze large amounts of data, automate routine tasks, and even predict outcomes based on patterns in your donor or program data.

For nonprofits, this can mean smarter fundraising, more efficient operations, and better service delivery to the communities you care about. That’s powerful—and it’s already happening. But it can’t happen well without board leadership.

The Board’s Role in Using AI Responsibly

Your job as a board isn’t to use AI—it’s to govern its use.

That means asking the right questions:

• Are we using AI in ways that align with our mission and values?

• How are we protecting the data of our donors and clients?

• Have we considered equity, inclusion, and accessibility in how these tools are used?

  
  

You don’t need to know how to code. You do need to understand what’s at stake. AI tools learn from the data they’re given. If that data is biased or incomplete, the results will be too. That’s why boards must pay attention—not just to the benefits of AI, but also to the risks.

What’s Holding Boards Back?

Let’s name it: FEAR!

Fear of not understanding. Fear of making the wrong decision. Fear of change. But I’ll remind you—every board member at some point felt unsure about strategic planning, budgets, governance, or fundraising. You figured that out or at least trying. This is no different. AI is just another tool. But like any tool, it can either help or harm, depending on how it’s used. You have a responsibility to ensure it’s used ethically, thoughtfully, and in service of your mission.

A Resource That Makes It Easier

I co-hosted a webinar with Josh Hirsch, a respected digital strategist, where we broke all this down in plain, practical terms. No jargon, no hype. Just real talk about what AI means for your board and what steps you can take now.

🎟️ The webinar is available for just $20 in my Board Pro Store, and it comes with a free downloadable playbook—The Nonprofit Board’s Playbook for Leveraging AI Technology. Think of it as your starting point. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to begin.

Final Thoughts

AI isn’t something to fear. It’s something to understand. As board members, we don’t have to do all the work—but we do have to lead. This moment calls for courage, curiosity, and care. And I know nonprofit boards have all three.

Let’s do this—together.

Christal M. Cherry, The Board Pro is your trusted partner to help your board lead with courage, curiosity, and care. I am your one-stop shop for all things nonprofit boards—explore how we can work together at theboardpro.com.