AI for Nonprofits

Glossary of Terms

Assembled by Craig Johnson with the help of AI.

Acceptable Use Policy

A formal document that outlines guidelines, standards, and procedures for using AI tools within an organization, typically including ethical considerations, data privacy requirements, and approval processes.

Administrative Controls

Processes and systems established to manage how data is accessed, used, and protected within an organization, including workflows and data access protocols that specify who can input, access, or manage data within AI systems.

Agential/Agentic AI

AI systems that can act autonomously as agents, maintaining durable relationships and developing expertise over time, moving beyond simple reactive responses to proactive engagement with tasks and users.

AI Adoption Life Cycle

A four-stage progression of AI implementation in nonprofits: individual usage, organizational adoption, strategic implementation, and proprietary solutions, each representing increasing levels of AI integration and sophistication.

AI Code of Ethics

A formal document outlining ethical guidelines and principles for AI use within an organization, addressing issues like bias, transparency, and responsible implementation.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The umbrella term for computer programs and systems that have the ability to reason and learn like humans. Originally based on explicit “if-then” programming, modern AI can handle complex tasks like natural language processing (NLP), image recognition, ...