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RAISE: Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact

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Our work on AI Adoption

We have been researching AI adoption since 2021 and recently led the national RAISE initiative to help nonprofit organizations across Canada responsibly and effectively adopt artificial intelligence (AI), training over 550 professionals.

While our open-enrollment public courses are no longer running, we offer custom training of our proven curricula for organizations looking to build AI literacy, establish ethical governance, and empower staff to use AI tools safely.

Our Flagship AI Education Program: RAISE

The Responsible AI Adoption for Social Impact (RAISE) pilot program was a national initiative to help nonprofit organizations across Canada responsibly and effectively adopt artificial intelligence (AI).

The RAISE pilot aimed to upskill 500+ nonprofit professionals across Canada on AI literacy and adoption through two courses:

  1. Essentials of Responsible AI Governance
  2. Responsible AI Use for Nonprofit Workers
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Essentials of Responsible AI Governance

This course equips nonprofit leaders with the critical understanding and practical skills needed to strategically direct and oversee AI adoption.

Through the program, learners were able to:

  • gain a deeper understanding of technology governance concepts
  • develop the practical skills to design specific guidelines for your organization, department, or team
  • ensure that AI responsibly and effectively serves their mission.

No upcoming cohorts are currently scheduled.

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Responsible AI Use for Nonprofit Workers

This hands-on course is designed for anyone in the nonprofit sector looking to ethically leverage AI. 

In this course, learners were able to:

  • explore key AI concepts, different AI types and their relevance in nonprofit operations
  • delve into the critical dos and don’ts concerning AI privacy, laws, and ethics, learning to identify risks and practicing responsible AI use in real-world nonprofit scenarios
  • gain practical insights into various AI applications, enabling you to strategically enhance efficiency, program delivery, and overall impact by selecting and applying an AI tool directly to their work.

No upcoming cohorts are currently scheduled.

Below are the typical services we can offer including the starting costs. Travel expenses from Toronto are extra for in-person delivery and HST is not included in the estimates provided. Services can be adapted as needed to meet your specific needs.

Ideal for: organizations looking for a high-impact  learning experience.

Format
An off-the-shelf, two-hour virtual workshop that provides practical, expert-led training on either Essentials of Responsible AI Governance, designed for senior leaders and boards, or Responsible AI Use for Nonprofit Workers, designed for operational staff. 

While the content is standardized rather than tailored to your organization, it provides practical guidance, actionable insights, and a strong foundation for responsible AI adoption.

Investment: Starting from $3,500


Ideal for: organizations looking to address their unique AI opportunities and challenges.

Format
This customized learning experience adapts our core curriculum to your organization’s context, priorities, and goals. Whether you are navigating leadership concerns, working within limited technology budgets, developing AI governance practices, or responding to growing pressure to adopt AI.

The session incorporates organization- and sector-specific examples, practical implementation strategies, and interactive discussion. Session length and content are tailored to your needs.

Investment: Starting from $5,500


Ideal for: sector conferences or staff-wide meetings, we can provide an inspiring one-hour session on topics related to AI literacy and adoption including a short Q&A.

Investment: Starting from $5,000 


Ideal for: leadership teams and boards needing clear support with developing a governance and adoption roadmap.

Format
This consulting and facilitation package helps you evaluate organizational readiness and create a tailored AI policy and implementation plan.

It includes:

  • Listening Sessions & Stakeholder Engagement: Two facilitated 1.5 hour sessions with staff, leadership, or board members to assess current AI usage, pain points, and risk.
  • Evaluation & Synthesis Report: Collection and analysis of data from the listening sessions, resulting in an internal synthesis document outlining key insights and strategic recommendations going forward.
  • AI Policy & Strategy Consultation: Two hours of expert guidance on framing your AI policy strategy including pinpointing priority areas, share sector best practices, and equip your lead to present a clear, actionable direction to the Board based on our synthesis findings.
  • Resources: Access to our AI policy template and implementation plan template for your team to design together after the consulting experience has been completed.

Investment: Starting from $25,000

We have trained a number of organizations across Canada including:

  • Children’s Mental Health Ontario
  • Ontario Library Association
  • National Institute on Aging
  • Rideau Hall Foundation
  • Future Skills Centre
  • Toronto Public Library
  • Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
  • United Way Greater Toronto
  • Habitat for Humanity Canada

And many more!

Jake Hirsch-Allen

Director of Partnerships

Camara Chambers

Director of Learning and Events