About 150 area nonprofit professionals recently participated in the inaugural Nonprofit Jam, a nationwide initiative on using artificial intelligence (AI). OpenAI Academy led the event in collaboration with the Walton Family Foundation and Heartland Forward.
Attendees of the one-day Bentonville event were among more than 1,000 nonprofit leaders from across the country who convened in 10 cities for the initiative designed to help organizations use AI. The series of events took place from Arkansas to California and from New York to Ohio, to expand access to generative AI tools “that can amplify the missions of organizations working on the frontlines of their communities,” the release shows.
“Nonprofits are often first to step up when communities face tough challenges, but they’re usually the last to benefit from transformative and disruptive new technologies,” said Chris Lehane, chief global affairs officer at OpenAI. “The Nonprofit Jam flips that script, ensuring nonprofits have access to our leading AI tools. It’s about democratizing innovation so that AI’s benefits reach as many people as possible, not just a select few.”
Attendees learned how tools like ChatGPT can streamline case management, enhance outreach and improve service delivery. They received 12 months of free access to ChatGPT Plus, training resources and an invitation to join a national learning community focused on AI integration in nonprofit work.
“The Nonprofit Jam is a chance to give community leaders the tools, skills and mindsets to strengthen connection, collaboration and impact,” said Stephanie Cornell, executive director at the Walton Family Foundation. “By combining proven approaches and new ways of working, nonprofits can model how to best use AI to solve real-world challenges.”
Along with the Walton Family Foundation, other event collaborators included Emerson Collective and regional nonprofits.
“This gathering reflects our shared commitment to ensuring that communities in the heartland are not just adapting to the AI era but helping to lead it,” said Angie Cooper, president and chief operating officer of Heartland Forward. “By bringing together mission-driven organizations and cutting-edge innovators, we’re unlocking new possibilities for economic growth in the middle of the country.”
In August, OpenAI will publish a national report featuring case studies, insights and examples of how nonprofits are integrating AI into their work.