Nathan Chappell on Nonprofit AI: Implementing Artificial Intelligence for Social Good
“We have agency in this. AI is a mirror to humanity. And I think that becomes a moral imperative to push our way to the front of that mirror.” – Nathan Chappell
Have you been avoiding addressing AI in your nonprofit out of fear, uncertainty, or lack of expertise?
Nathan Chappell would say you’re not alone. But he does have good news:
Nathan is the Chief AI Officer at Virtuous, and he studies how we can use AI to advance mission-driven organizations. Recently, he determined that nonprofits hold a unique advantage in shaping the future of AI, and can uniquely benefit from it.
(No AI experience required.)
After this episode, you’ll walk away with a new perspective on the opportunities available to your organization in this moment.
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Key Takeaways
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Focus less on revenue, and more on belonging. Remember, the data shows that humans want to give—and when they feel connected, they will. Prioritizing Lifetime Value as a KPI can help shift your organization from transactional to relational, building stronger retention, connection, and community around your cause.
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Use a slower pace to your advantage. In the face of AI and new technology, slowing down actually makes room for discernment. Use your natural pace as an organization to brainstorm, discuss, and decide intentionally how AI can amplify your mission. This is an opportunity to reset—for you to take the wheel and control how you use AI, not the other way around.
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Foster a culture of curiosity in your leadership. This applies to you and the rest of your team. If you know nothing about AI, get curious. If your team has a million questions, get curious. This has never happened before in the history of humanity—there are no right answers. So experiment, fail, and try things you’ve never done before.
Meet the Guest
Nathan Chappell is an AI inventor, thought leader, and author working at the intersection of technology and philanthropy. As Chief AI Officer at Virtuous and founder of Fundraising.AI, Nathan helps nonprofit organizations navigate the future of fundraising through responsible, human-centered AI. He’s the co-author of Generosity Crisis and Nonprofit AI, and his work has been featured by NPR, Forbes, Fast Company, and The Chronicle of Philanthropy. After more than two decades in nonprofit leadership, Nathan now speaks globally on innovation, philanthropy, and the role of AI in advancing social good.
