We signed on as a sponsor of the 2026 AI Equity Project because the questions it asks are the ones we keep coming back to in our own work, and because this year's project gives people something to actually do about them.

The project, produced by Namaste Data, is in year three. Year one asked where the nonprofit sector stood with AI. Year two asked whether AI was solving any of the problems nonprofits face. This year is about power.

Who decides how AI shows up in nonprofit work? Who is accountable when it causes harm? Is AI shifting power toward the communities we serve, or quietly consolidating it somewhere else?

AI is already in the sector. It shapes how grants get reviewed, how programs reach people, how stories get told, how funders make decisions. A lot of that happened without the people most affected having any real say. Practitioners are using tools they did not choose. Communities are being scored and sorted by systems they cannot see.

What makes this year different is that the project is not just asking questions. It is putting tools in people's hands.

There are four of them, all free:

The AI Equity Checklist for Fundraisers gives teams a practical way to think before adopting an AI tool for donor communications, grant writing, or outreach. It includes a red flags section on when to stop and reassess.

The AI Equity Workbook for Nonprofits is a discussion guide for leadership, boards, and staff. It helps an organization name its non-negotiables, spot potential harm, and figure out what support people actually need before expanding AI use.

The AI Equity Workbook for Foundations helps funders think through where power and fairness risks are highest in their own workflows, and how to protect grantee trust.

The AI Equity Workbook for Tech Companies is for product leaders and boards building tools used by nonprofits. It prompts harder conversations about customer trust, data dignity, and downstream consequences.

Alongside the tools, there is a survey for practitioners and community members. It runs about 12 to 15 minutes, responses are anonymous, and you do not need to be an AI expert. The project is more interested in your experience than your credentials. Findings publish in Fall 2026.

Take the workbook that fits your role. Run it with your team. Take the survey if you can.

Common Ground Consulting supports nonprofits and philanthropy on strategy, governance, and the hard questions that come with both. If this work resonates, we are always open to a conversation.